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MARATHON WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

Please enjoy this edition of the Michael H. Puto Marathon Weekly.

1¢

Sept. 24, 2026

TOASTS & ROASTS Best of Marathon celebrates city’s finest | P.22

MONEY TALKS Council cuts proposed tax hike | P.4 WHEN OTHER HOUSES ARE EMPTY, OUR RENTALS ARE FULL. Proven Results, Powered by a Qualified Management Team

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MARATHON WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

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MARATHON WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

MARATHON | $1,349,000 | LISTING ID: 621156

The one at for you on Grassy Key

Set on a 15,000-square-foot lot in Crains Subdivision, this concrete stilted residence offers more than 3,600 square feet of living space, impact windows and doors, and generous indoor-outdoor areas designed around the Florida Keys lifestyle. An expansive open layout creates room to gather, entertain and settle in comfortably, with multiple living spaces and an easy connection to the outdoors. Lush native vegetation surrounds the property, creating a remarkable sense of privacy and seclusion. The partially fenced backyard centers around an inviting in-ground pool with waterfall, tanning shelf and water features, setting the stage for long afternoons outside and evenings under the palms. Ample parking provides room for multiple vehicles and boat trailers, an especially valuable feature for enjoying life on the water. Above it all, a rooftop observation deck captures ocean views and a beautiful perspective across Grassy Key. Crains Subdivision also offers a community sunset park, while a public boat ramp is just minutes away for convenient access to the surrounding waters. Centrally positioned between Marathon, Duck Key and Islamorada, the home is convenient to Curry Hammock State Park, Dolphin Research Center, waterfront dining, marinas, fishing, diving, paddling and the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail.

12420 Overseas Highway | Marathon 305.735.4095 | oceansir.com Each office is independently owned and operated.

MARATHON WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

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

Publisher / Jason Koler jason@keysweekly.com

Publishing Partner / Britt Myers britt@keysweekly.com

Marathon Editor / Alex Rickert alex@keysweekly.com

Staﬀ Writers

Jim McCarthy jim@keysweekly.com Mandy Miles mandy@keysweekly.com

Copy Editor / Mike Howie mike@keysweekly.com

Business Development Patti Childress patti@keysweekly.com

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Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com

Executive Administrator Charlotte Hruska char@keysweekly.com

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Javier Reyes javier@keysweekly.com Irene de Bruijn irene@keysweekly.com Diana Striker keysweekly.com

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Classiﬁeds / Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com 305.743.0844

Se habla español

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

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On Sept. 21, U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba’s crew ofﬂoaded 7,250 pounds of cocaine and 2,082 pounds of marijuana, worth an estimated $57 million, in Port Everglades. The seized contraband was the result of two interdictions in the Caribbean Sea by the crews of the cutter Escanaba and the cutter Richard Dixon.

J.C. Mora lets the confetti rain as he wins Best Volunteer at the 2026 Best of Marathon Awards. Full ceremony coverage begins on page 22. NATALIE DANKO/Keys Weekly

TAX HIKE SHRINKS, DEFICIT GROWS Marathon City Council favors measured increase with more reserve spending in 2026-27 budget ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

hat began as nearly a 19% hike for Marathon residents on their next tax bills dwindled to 5.52% at the end of the city council’s final budget hearing on Sept. 22. But a largely unchanged spending plan will require a $2.6 million dip into the city’s reserves to make up the shortfall. Following two hours of debate and multiple proposed rates, the council voted 4-1, with councilman Lynn Landry as the lone dissenter, to adopt a millage rate of 2.0631 for fiscal year 2026-27, identical to Marathon’s current rate of $206.31 per $100,000 of taxable home value. With rising property values throughout the city, that rate equates to a 5.52% increase over the rollback rate of 1.9552 mills – defined as the tax rate required to raise the same dollar value as the previous year in ad valorem revenues. The final rate was a significant reduction from the city's originally proposed 2.3231 mills, an 18.82% increase over rollback that would have generated $12.2 million for the city. Finance Director Jennifer Johnson first presented the budget in a Sept. 16 hearing, telling the council the original spending plan would have equated to a $182 annual tax increase on an average $700,000 home in Marathon. Increases in the budget include a 3.8% cost-of-living adjustment for staff, along with up to 2% of each department’s total salaries available to award merit raises, required increases for union employees, elevated utility and maintenance costs for Marathon’s parks and recreation department and a part-time employee for a public

works and street maintenance manager. Even with the significant jump, she said, Marathon would still draw $1.9 million from its reserves, leaving the city 21 days short of its 12-month target if the budget was fully spent. At the first hearing, City Manager Steve Williams assured the council the city would “absolutely be as conservative as we can with our spending” in the coming year, acknowledging the uncertainty of a November vote that could slash property tax revenue across the state. He said the proposed spending plan was heavily influenced by three consecutive years of meeting rollback, and that the coming budget cycle could represent the city’s final chance to make significant adjustments if the amendment were to pass. Beyond a cut to taxable values of homesteaded properties, a special state legislative session could put strict guardrails on how revenue can be used by local governments. Marathon was one of only three municipalities in Florida to accomplish the three-year rollback feat, Williams said, and by far the largest to do so. “We’re lucky with past and current city council leadership that we’re not in dire straits, but let’s not put ourselves there a year early,” he said last week. “You have no election this fall, you have no room full of protesters. … If you’re going to do (a raise), now would appear to be the correct time.” Locals weigh in Tuesday’s final hearing saw a few more dissenting voices as residents urged the council to curtail the proposed increase. Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce CEO Daniel Samess told the council that locals already face

nearly a 16% increase on their monthly water bills with previously-scheduled sewer and water assessments, and that Marathon’s proposed hike far outpaces increases of roughly 7.5% and 9% in Monroe County and Islamorada and a rollback rate in Key West. Coco Plum resident Mike Millard said the council from 2022 to 2026 had increased its budget “basically by 100%.” As approved Tuesday night, the final spending plan totaled $201 million against $115 million in 2022-23. “We’ve added staff and increased their salaries dramatically … whereas all of our competitive set from the county has reduced staff, and Key West is down 18 (employees),” added former councilman Jeff Smith. “In addition to those raises we talked about … 54% of your staff in one year got additional (one-time) adjustments. “These are real numbers, and we need to look at the efficiencies of what we’re spending on each of these departments and what the workloads are.” Who pays the bill? Nearly two hours of debate among council members and staff centered on a tolerable four-way balance between increases for residents, cuts to city spending, identifying potential revenue sources and survivable dips into reserves. Council members pointed to limited line items in which the city’s actual expenses were a far cry from their budgeted numbers over the past few years, while Johnson said staff had already identified $100,000 in additional EMS revenue and $135,000 in additional code enforcement revenue, along with a 20% increase in parking fees. An increase of $440,000 to the city’s IT department also came under scrutiny, as did merit raises for staff, which council members cautioned continued on page 8

MARATHON WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

PUTO GETS A STADIUM

Dolphins rename football field in honor of ‘Mr. Marathon’ ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

1 2

1. Mike Puto gets a photo op at the stadium named in his honor. ‘Isn’t it nice that I’m alive and well, and able to enjoy it,’ he told guests on Friday night. 2. Years after supporting one another in their political endeavors, the ‘Baby Bubbas’ Ron Saunders, left, and Mike Puto reunite. 3. Mike Puto gets a congratulatory handshake from Key Colony Beach Vice Mayor Doug Colonell. 4. Captain Jimmy Gagliardini thanks Mike Puto for decades of support for Marathon. 5. School board member-elect Luis Gonzalez praises the decision to rename the stadium while Puto is still involved with the schools. 6. Marathon Mayor Lynny Del Gaizo presents Mike Puto with his own custom sash and tiara. 7. ‘Mr. Marathon’ gives a thumbs-up and a wave to his fans. 8. MHS principal Christine Paul, school advisory council president Kym Momaly and Student Government Association president Allison Helms present Mike Puto with a plaque renaming the school’s football stadium in his honor. 9. Monroe County School District leaders get their photo with ‘Mr. Marathon.’ Photos by Alex Rickert and contributed images

man known for his unwavering support of the Middle Keys community will see his name forever enshrined under Friday Night Lights. Undeterred by a weather delay during Marathon High School’s home football showdown on Sept. 18, school administrators, community leaders and bleachers full of fans filled the school’s gymnasium to officially dedicate the Michael H. Puto Stadium with the man of the hour himself. “Mike has dedicated his life to serving our community as a teacher, a coach and a city official. For an incredible 53 years, he served as a referee and a president of the Marathon Alumni Athletic Club booster organization,” said MHS athletic director Lance Martin. “He has also served as the trustee of the Katherine Gradick Girls Athletic Trust, continuing his commitment to supporting young athletes and giving back to our community for generations.” Principal Christine Paul told guests that the decision to rename the stadium was enthusiastically supported by the school's staff, student government association and advisory groups. “His service, leadership and love for Marathon have left a lasting legacy, and it is fitting that this stadium will forever bear his name,” she said. “Mike is an ambassador for the city in every sense of the word,” added school board chair John Dick. “He is always available, always willing and always ready to volunteer no matter the cause or need. … He may be known as Mr. Marathon, but as someone wisely said to me recently, he is really Mr. Marathon High School.” School board member-elect Luis Gonzalez praised his fellow board members for the timing of the ceremony. “Many times we wait for situations like this as folks move on,” he said. “Mike will live this on a daily basis.”

MARATHON WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

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MARATHON WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

KEY WEST PHILANTHROPIST JOHN PADGET DIES AT 89 He was dedicated to improving education, health care & scholarship opportunities MANDY MILES

mandy@keysweekly.com

t was sometime around 1998 when John Padget spoke at a Key West Chamber of Commerce lunch in the Casa Marina’s grand ballroom. At the time, Padget was a relatively new arrival to Key West, not well known, but clearly passionate about his topic — a little-known scholarship program in Florida called Take Stock in Children. It offered income-eligible students a path to a fully funded college degree via Florida’s Pre-Paid College Plans that allows families to start saving for college when their children are toddlers, locking in the state’s tuition rate for whichever year the family begins saving for college. Once he learned of the program, Padget dove in and worked tirelessly to ensure that funding was in place for every Monroe County seventh grader to be guaranteed a scholarship when they completed high school. Padget attended most of the contract signings that take place each year, when students sign a pledge to remain in school and out of trouble while maintaining a C average or better. In exchange, upon graduation, they’ll receive two years paid tuition at a Florida community college followed by two years at a Florida university. Padget had no children of his own, but was a fierce supporter of and advocate for education, along with late partner Jacob Dekker. Padget died from a massive heart attack at Lower Keys Medical Center the night of Sept. 22, said his longtime friend and fellow education advocate and philanthropist Bryan Green. Padget was 89 and was also a dedicated supporter of the arts, having funded several sculptural installations that would become the Florida Keys Sculpture Trail. His dedication to Take Stock in Children earned him statewide attention, and then-Gov. Rick Scott appointed him to the Florida Department of Education board in 2009. Padget was elected vice chair in 2013. “John Padget was part of Take Stock in Children and the Monroe County Education Foundation from the very beginning in 1998,” executive director Chuck Licis told the Keys Weekly on Sept. 23. “And he was one of the most passionate advocates our students have ever had. He cared deeply about helping every student reach their fullest potential, and he was determined that our most deserving students would have the chance to pursue their dream of going to college. He worked tirelessly to create unique opportunities that helped them become self-advocates and lifelong learners, ready not just to get to college but to thrive there. Our students’ successes are his legacy, and we will miss him deeply.” In a 2013 statement about Padget’s leadership role with the Florida Department of Education,

Philanthropist and education advocate John Padget in the Florida Keys in 2024. CONTRIBUTED

then-Commissioner of Education Tony Bennett said, “I am pleased the board has recognized John’s passion for student success and has asked him to serve in this new role. It is critical that we cultivate partnerships between Florida’s schools and local businesses and John has a long history of nurturing those relationships.” The press release from the Department of Education further stated, “The Key West resident has served in a number of education- and business-related roles, including the founding of private equity firm Padget Associates and serving as the interim superintendent of Monroe County schools. Padget graduated from Cornell University in New York with bachelor’s and master’s degrees and earned his M.B.A. from Harvard University. “His history of public service also includes successfully starting Monroe County’s Take Stock in Children program, which provides mentoring and scholarships to children. He is a trustee of the LeRoy Collins Institute at Florida State University and a board member of the Askew Institute at the University of Florida. Padget is also a commissioner at the Lower Florida Keys Hospital District.” Padget’s involvement with the hospital district grew over the past decade, and he was instrumental in persuading the current hospital district board members to solicit proposals from hospital companies interested in running Lower Keys Medical Center once the current agreement ends in 2029. A request for proposals was issued a month or so ago, and the hospital district board soon will review those proposals and start negotiations with the next hospital operator. Stay tuned to the Keys Weekly and keysweekly. com for an official obituary and information about any celebrations of his life and legacy.

from page 4

TAX HIKE SHRINKS, DEFICIT GROWS should not be awarded as a blanket percentage. “Everything in this building runs off of IT,” Williams said, pointing to Marathon’s growing dependence on technology for permitting, communications, public information and day-to-day operations. “That is the portion of society that is growing and expanding more so than probably anything else, and it will continue. … We are beyond antiquated with some of (our tech).” HR Director Evie Engelmeyer said a revamped performance evaluation process should help department heads appropriately reward top performers while leaving some available funds unspent. The council also informally agreed to a $125,949 increase in fire and EMS services charged to Key Colony Beach – a step toward bringing the sister city’s charges more in line with its costs to Marathon. A unanimous vote to adopt the 18% increase quickly went out the window, and the panel could not reach the required 4-1 agreement on progressively lower tax rates – from 10% to 7.03% and 6% – until Johnson suggested the 5.5% raise as a final compromise. Vice Mayor Debbie Struyf and councilman Kenny Matlock pushed for a lower tax increase, arguing that rising insurance premiums, housing costs and other expenses had already placed considerable pressure on Marathon residents. Matlock acknowledged that upgrades throughout the city equate to rising maintenance costs, while Struyf listed “pretty things we think we need” as the first targets of city spending cuts. Landry and Johnson repeatedly expressed concerns that deficit spending could not serve as a sustainable budget crutch, with Landry urging the council to close the deficit rather than solely prioritize a modest tax jump. "We're killing ourselves on the deficit. It's going to come back to haunt us," Landry said. “I need (my taxes) as low as everyone else needs theirs low,” said Williams, cautioning that preserving low tax rates would likely lead to staffing cuts or cuts to services beyond the coming year. “But we can’t foot the bill and artificially go to numbers that, as Jen is telling you, aren’t sustainable. You’re going to get yourself in a heck of a position should we have a wind event next year.” Struyf said she would favor across-theboard fee increases for city services over a tax hike, while Williams pointed out that other Florida cities with large portions of homesteaded properties could move toward a fee-based government funding model should a property tax amendment pass. “We can’t do this (18%) to these people,” Struyf said. “I’ve lived in my house for 44 years, but it’s going to affect every new homeowner in this community, and it’s going to affect them hard.”

MARATHON WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

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MARATHON WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

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MARATHON WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

AGENTS INTERDICT SUSPECTED SMUGGLING VESSEL Boat was carrying Chinese nationals

OVERSEAS MEDIA GROUP WELCOMES MIKE HORVATH The longtime Keys local joins the locally-owned OMG & its digital strategy team MANDY MILES

mandy@keysweekly.com

CBP Air and Marine Operations and the U.S. Coast Guard interdict a smuggling vessel the morning of Sept. 15, resulting in the apprehension of 23 individuals from countries such as China, Ecuador, Cuba and Dominican Republic near Angelfish Creek off Key Largo. CBP/ Contributed

ederal immigration agents intercepted a vessel off Key Largo carrying more than 20 individuals from various countries, U.S Customs and Border Patrol said on Sept. 21. CBP said an Air and Marine Operations aircraft conducting an Operation Vigilant Sentry patrol on Sept. 15 detected a surface target of interest near Angelfish Creek off the Florida coast. Agents from Miami and Key Largo coordinated with the U.S. Coast Guard for an interdiction of the 27-foot cuddy cabin vessel without incident. CBP agents found and arrested a suspected smuggler from Cuba, 13 Chinese nationals, eight Ecuadorian nationals and one Dominican national. “This interdiction demonstrates the strength of our maritime partnerships and our commitment to stopping human smuggling organizations before they can put more lives at risk,” said Andres Blanco, CBP executive director for the Southeast region. “Those who attempt these dangerous voyages face arrest, prosecution, removal and the very real possibility of losing their lives at sea.”

U.S. Rep Carlos Gimenez, who represents the Florida Keys and Miami-Dade County, said he’s repeatedly raised concerns over threats to national security involving the Chinese Communist Party. Gimenez serves on the Select Committee on China. The individuals were transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Pablo Valent for processing. The vessel was seized by authorities. “The U.S. border remains secure due to highly capable teams and coordinated interagency enforcement,” said Lt. Corryn Ulrich, commanding officer of Pablo Valent. “We remain ready to save lives and enforce federal law at sea.” This isn’t the first time a smuggling boat carrying Chinese nationals was intercepted by law enforcement. During the morning hours of Oct. 23, 2023, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents and Florida Highway Patrol troopers responded to a vessel landing in Key Largo. There, they found and apprehended three Ecuadorians and 17 subjects from China, of whom 11 were men and six were women. – Keys Weekly staff report

verseas Media Group (OMG), a locally-owned digital marketing agency serving the Florida Keys, recently welcomed Mike Horvath as its newest digital strategist in Key West. A 25-year Florida Keys resident, Horvath was born in Ohio, raised in Texas and attended 20 different schools before high school, “so I’m easily adaptable, to Mike Horvath say the least,” he said. Horvath spent 13 years in the beer, wine and spirits business in the Keys and also has a long background in the automotive industry. “My job at OMG is to take the complicated world of digital advertising and web solutions and simplify it for our customers,” he said. “Be it website design, analytics and promotion or any of the other web solutions we offer, I want to give our clients peace of mind knowing that a truly local company, with local owners, has their best interests at heart and a desire to partner with them as they grow their business through a long-term relationship.” Horvath is very excited about OMG’s growing webcam division. “I love the idea of bringing the eyes of the world to our beautiful islands,” he said, adding, “I’m also excited to be working with two guys I’ve been friends with for a decade or more. Owners Britt Myers and Jason Koler have really put together an incredibly talented group of great people, and I’m honored to be a part of it. I hope that my 25 years of living and working in the Florida Keys can bring a unique perspective to my position that will benefit my company and my customers.” ”Mike brings a refreshing new level of service and expertise to the agency,” says OMG founding partner Myers. “As technology continues to change the way we tell our stories, we are excited to have Mike join our team to assist our partners.” A father to two Conch kids — Emily, 14, and Thomas, 18 — Horvath lives with daughter Emily, his fiancee Zoe, and her son Tristan, 18. The family also has two dogs, Birdie and Pepper. Horvath can be reached at mike@overseasmediagroup.com.

MARATHON WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

TOLLS ON CARD SOUND ROAD SET FOR AN INCREASE

Card Sound Road tolls will increase on Thursday, Oct. 1. File photo

Feed the Keys volunteers at Burton Memorial United Methodist Church during the 2025 campaign. CONTRIBUTED

HELP FEED THE KEYS SEPT. 28-OCT. 9

olls on an alternate route into the Florida Keys will increase again, Monroe County recently announced. The latest adjustments to the tolls on Card Sound Road follow the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index. The toll is fully electronic and uses Toll-By-Plate, SunPass or another highway pass like E-Pass or EZ-Pass. No cash is accepted at the toll. The toll helps fund road maintenance costs and future repair and replacement of the five bridges along Card Sound Road. Beginning Thursday, Oct. 1, rates for SunPass holders will increase to $2.18 for two-axle vehicles — cars, pickup trucks or motorcycles; $4.17 for three-axle vehicles and $1.39 per each additional axle. Toll-by-plate rates will be $3.28 for two-axle vehicles — cars, pickup trucks or motorcycles; $6.27 for three-axles and $2.09 per each additional axle.

Two discount programs are available for drivers with a two-axle vehicle and a SunPass account in good standing. • Monthly discount program: Drivers do not need to sign up for the monthly discount program and will automatically receive a 40 percent rebate on their SunPass account after any calendar month in which 28 or more one-way trips are made through the toll. • Annual pass: The annual pass is for frequent users and allows unlimited travel through the toll. The fee is $545 annually from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2027. The annual pass will be available for purchase beginning December 2026. Additional details on the annual pass program will be released later this year. More information is at monroecounty-fl.gov/cardsoundtoll. — Keys Weekly staff report

United Way of Collier & the Keys launches community-wide food drive

nited Way of Collier and the Keys (UWCK) is once again launching Feed the Keys, its annual food drive benefiting local food pantries. The 2026 Feed the Keys campaign will run Sept. 28 through Oct. 9, with businesses, organizations and community groups across the Keys serving as collection sites for nonperishable food donations. On Friday, Oct. 9, volunteers and community partners come together to collect and distribute donations to participating food pantries. Last year, the community donated 8,339 pounds of food through Feed the Keys. This year, UWCK hopes to build on that impact at a time when local families continue to face rising costs and food insecurity. “Everybody needs something at some time, so watching our communities be so connected and come together is my favorite part,” said Brandi Horton, vice chair of the UWCK board. “Food insecurity is a big crisis

in our community. To know that we’re going to leave our food pantries in a better place – there’s just something so special about that.” Donations collected during Feed the Keys will support four local food pantries serving the Keys: Burton Memorial United Methodist Church, KAIR Keys Area Interdenominational Resources, Keys Community Church of Big Pine Key and SOS Foundation. Community members can participate by donating nonperishable food at Feed the Keys collection sites. Volunteers are also needed to support collection efforts and help make the drive a success. Volunteers can sign up at volunteeruwck.org. Businesses, organizations and community groups interested in hosting a collection bin can contact Andrea Garduno at Andrea.Garduno@uwcollierkeys.org. More information is at uwcollierkeys.org/feedthekeys/. — Contributed

MARATHON WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

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LUNCH & DINNER Founded in 2025, Epic Daze Sport Fishing offers private fishing charters out of Marathon, led by Captain Todd Picariello, a local with more than 20 years of experience on the water. From laid-back days on the reef to offshore adventures, each trip is tailored to the group, current conditions and what’s biting. Combining years of local knowledge with a commitment to great service, Captain Todd and the Epic Daze team focus on creating a fun, personalized experience for every guest. With comfortable, well-equipped boats and trips designed around each group, the goal is simple: a memorable day on the water that guests will want to come back and do again. 305.731.8001 epicdazesf.com admin@epicdazesf.com

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MARATHON WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

FANTASY FEST CELEBRATES ‘MUSICAL ICONS & ICONIC MUSICALS’

antasy Fest, Key West’s annual costuming party in paradise, welcomes revelers for this year’s Oct. 16-25 extravaganza. The 2026 Fantasy Fest theme, “Musical Icons and Iconic Musicals” invites fantasymakers to style themselves at the center of a Ziegfeld extravaganza, follow the call of a disco ball, go Gaga for Ziggy Stardust, embody the Mercury magic, or take center stage as the musical icon – or iconic musical character – of their dreams. “Fantasy Fest is a bucket-list experience, an invitation to immerse in an electrifying world of creativity, music, costumes and revelry,” said Fantasy Fest director Nadene Grossman Orr. “Whether you arrive as a Broadway legend, rock icon, pop superstar or icon of your own creation, this is your invitation to step into the spotlight and let your imagination take flight.” Here are some of this year’s highlights: • Fantasy Façades Contest: Creatively transform your home or business for a chance to win cash prizes ranging from $100 to $1,000. Reflect this year’s theme or channel traditional Halloween ghoulishness. Entry form available Sept. 1; entry deadline Oct 12. • Oct. 16: The Royal Coronation event to crown Fantasy Fest’s 2026 king and queen is a 2-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. 16-17: Bahama Village Goombay Festival is a two-day, family-friendly celebration of island arts and crafts, culture, music and food. It is held throughout Key West’s historic Bahama Village neighborhood. • Oct. 17-18: That Arena Rock Show at Sunset Pier: A free admission, high-energy, timetraveling theatrical tribute to classic rock & roll. • Oct. 19: Mrs. Roper’s Romp: Break out your colorful caftan and signature curly red wig for a “Three’s Company”-inspired party at Sunset Pier filled with music, photo ops, dancing, games and prizes. • Oct. 19: A Green Parrot Beatles Tribute: Jump into your yellow submarine and disembark in the 1960s for this dress-up dance party with Key West’s very own Beatles tribute band. • Oct. 20: 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 collectible Fantasy Fest 2026 T-shirts and swag. • Oct. 20: Tutu Tuesday with its epic dance party features lights, lasers and multiple DJs at four different Caroline Street district area venues. Tutus required. • Oct. 21: LUV2GLOW PARTY – Rick’s Upstairs on Duval Street transforms into a universe of fluorescent visuals, underwaterinspired décor and house music with immersive glowing environments, DJs and live performers.

Come dressed or painted to glow under black lights. • Oct. 21: 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. • Oct. 22: The 43rd annual Key West Headdress Ball, presented by the Key West Business Guild at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater, reveals a playlist of out-of-this-world headdresses modeled by their creators along with entertainment by some of the island’s best talent. • Oct. 22: Sloppy Joe’s 47th annual Toga Party: Live music starts early and flows late at this revelry, where partiers can don traditional Roman “drape duds” or create their own 2026 Fantasy Fest theme-inspired versions. Toga costume contest welcomes individuals or groups of two to four. • Oct. 23: 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. • Oct. 23: The Captain Morgan Masquerade March (aka “Local’s Parade”) brings costumed revelers parading through Old Town Key West, stopping along the route for adult beverage samples provided by selected guest houses before flowing into the mile-long Fantasy Fest Street Fair. • Oct. 23-24: The mile-long Fantasy Fest Street Fair and Costume Promenade offers revelers food, libations, arts, crafts and costumes starting at noon and going into the night. • Oct. 24: The Deep Eddy Vodka Fantasy Fest Parade in Old Town Key West presents floats, marching groups, and kinetic contraptions to bring this year’s “Musical Icons and Iconic Musicals” theme to life. An island tradition since 1979. • Oct. 25: Children’s Day at Bayview Park from noon to 5 p.m. offers games, food, rides, entertainment, arts & crafts and a costume contest for the kids. • Oct. 25: Don your fabulous feathers for “The Fat Lady Sings” Tea Dance at La Te Da on Duval Street — the final official Fantasy Fest celebration. Oct 26: The 2027 Fantasy Fest theme will be announced. More information is at fantasyfest.com. — Contributed The Headdress Ball is set for Thursday, Oct 22, at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater. CAROL TEDESCO/Fantasy Fest

MARATHON WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

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MARATHON WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

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MARATHON WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

JADA & JAX 1-year-old M/F Maltese mixes. Looking for: Someone to take us both. We have to stay together. Turnoffs: We’re nervous at ﬁrst, but all we want is to be spoiled.

LINCOLN 3.5-year-old male mixed breed. Looking for: Everything, especially if it involves getting in the water. Turnoffs: Pina coladas. I’m more a margarita guy.

PAUL ANDERSON MHS Band JEN ALEXANDER www.keysweekly.com

SWIPE RIGHT

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.

BLAZE 7.5-year-old-male domestic shorthair. Looking for: I’m a big, easygoing cat that gets along with anyone. Turnoffs: Boats. I’d rather not live on a boat again.

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 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.

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 Paul Anderson, who is now in his 40th year of teaching. He spent 31 years in Georgia public schools before making his way to Florida, where he currently teaches full-time at Marathon High School. Over his career, he has taught music, band, chorus and other subjects across all grade levels, including time as a college adjunct. He holds three degrees in music education from the University of Georgia. Beyond the classroom, he and his wife, Jackie, are celebrating their 40th anniversary this December. They are proud parents to four adult children and grandparents to one granddaughter, Elowen. What brought you to the Keys? My wife and I moved to the Keys in the summer of 2024. After retiring from years of teaching in Georgia and spending several years in part-time band roles, I was looking for a new opportunity. Having fallen in love with Marathon during previous visits, my wife suggested checking the area, and finding an open band director position made the move a perfect fit.

What is your favorite thing about living in the Keys? I like the slower life pace, the people and the general vibe here. It almost feels like I am on vacation year-round. What is the funniest question one of your students has asked you? I took my high school band from Madison County (Georgia) to Washington D.C. on a performance trip, and the standing joke was that we always pointed out the Pentagon every time we passed by. When we got back, one of my students asked, “What’s the Pentagon?” That was 30 years ago and I still remember that student’s name! What is your favorite board game and why? It’s hard to pick just one, especially with a collection of nearly 100 board games that I love playing with my kids and siblings. I’m drawn to strategy and war games like Axis and Allies, chess and Stratego, as well as sports games and modern classics like Catan and Ticket to Ride. For me, it’s really about the mix of strategy, fun and time spent around the table with family. If you were given $1M ,what would you do with it? Pay off all my debts and give most to my kids and my siblings/nephews/nieces. Then I would buy an RV and explore the United States. What Netflix series did you last binge watch and why? My wife and I recently binged seasons 1-3 of “Ted Lasso” to get refreshed for the new season, though we have to watch the new episodes as they drop. Outside of that, I’ve been keeping up with “Reacher” and “Slow Horses,” and I’m over a year into a massive chronological rewatch of the entire “Star Trek” franchise. What is one thing you always have in your car? I always have plenty of napkins, just in case! What is an unpopular opinion you hold, but you don’t care? I define sport as physical activity that is decided by a score, and not by judges. In other words, gymnastics, figure skating, cheerleading, marching band, diving and even boxing is not a sport (under my definition) since the winner is always (or almost always) decided by one or more judges. That doesn’t mean they aren’t athletic or difficult to do well. I would classify these as athletic activities as opposed to a sport. I know, it’s weird, but at least I’m consistent, and it doesn’t offend me if you believe otherwise. What’s one thing most people don’t know about you? I write a college football blog (paulprattleson. blogspot.com) during the season that includes 15 days of preseason previews covering all 138 FBS teams and 10 days of previews of each of the conferences. During the season, I write four days a week.

MARATHON WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

MARATHON COMMUNITY CHURCH

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MARATHON WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

St. Columba Episcopal Church

The Hands & Feet of Christ in our Community!

SHELF HELP

taff from your Monroe County Public Library recommend some of their favorites from the collection. What: “Our Infinite Fates” by Laura Steven Why: Two souls, tethered together, are reincarnated over and over and are able to remember their past lives. They’ve fallen in love in many lifetimes, but kill each other in every single one. This book weaves between the modern-day dilemma where the main character tries to stay alive to save her sister and back in time to the past lives they’ve experienced. What a ride and what a concept! I couldn’t stop reading. I loved the different places and times the book travels to and experiencing how they were reincarnated each time, their relationships, and how it played out. Fun to read and easily made my list of top books I’ve read this year. Where: You can borrow this as a print book, e-book and audiobook from the Monroe County Public Library. How: You can request books, including e-books and e-audiobooks, online by logging in to your account at keyslibraries.org. If you don’t have a card, you can visit your local branch or register online to get one. Questions? keyslibraries.org/ contact-us. Recommended by: Jessica Penepent, library assistant, Big Pine Key library branch See previous recommendations at keyslibraries.org/post/ shelf-help.

MOSQUITO CONTROL BOARD APPROVES BUDGET

District will generate same tax revenue as last year

he Florida Keys Mosquito Control District’s (FKMCD) fivemember board convening for a Sept. 15 public hearing unanimously approved an adjusted millage rate and budget for the coming fiscal year. The FKMCD board approved an annual millage rate of 0.3777 for 202627 fiscal year, which begins on Thursday, Oct. 1. The rate represents a “rollback” of the fiscal year 2025-26 budget, generating $19,974,774 in ad valorem tax revenue for FKMCD, which is the same amount collected the previous fiscal year. Officials from the district say the 2026-27 millage rate and budget demonstrate a continued trend of fiscal responsibility and mindful spending while prioritizing protection of public health and the district’s mission. The district is the official mosquito control provider for the Florida Keys. As a special taxing district within the state, FKMCD was created by a vote of the people more than 75 years ago when it became apparent that a specialized entity was needed to combat mosquitoes and protect the business interests, quality of life and health of the tropical paradise. The district's five-person elected board provides policy and direction for the executive director and staff of about 75 trained and licensed mosquito control professionals. More information is at keysmosquito.org. — Contributed

This Saturday World Famous $5.00 Bag Sale

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St. Columba Episcopal Church this Sunday @ 10:00am 451 West 52nd St, Marathon Fl

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MARATHON WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

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MARATHON WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

DOMESTIC ABUSE SHELTER ANNOUNCES JACKIE CURL AS NEW CEO Sherrie Schwab to retire after nine years

he Domestic Abuse Shelter (DAS) has announced the appointment of Jackie Curl as its new CEO, effective Sept. 9. Curl succeeds Sherrie Schwab, who is retiring after anchoring the organization’s mission and community advocacy since March 2017. “We are incredibly grateful to Sherrie Schwab for her profound dedication, compassion and leadership over the last nine years,” said Ashley Arrabal, board chair at DAS. “As we enter this new chapter, we are thrilled to welcome Jackie Curl. Her vision and expertise will build upon our strong foundation to expand our reach and deepen our impact for survivors.” Curl brings more than 26 years of experience in nursing, health care, public service and nonprofit leadership to DAS. Most recently, she was program manager at the Florida Department of Health in Monroe County, overseeing services across multiple locations and working with community partners to meet the needs of vulnerable and underserved populations. A longtime advocate for community-based services, Curl has also held leadership roles in the nonprofit sector, with experience in organizational development, fundraising, strategic planning, emergency preparedness and community engagement. She holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

THANK YOU! Jackie Curl is the new CEO of the Domestic Abuse Shelter in the Florida Keys. CONTRIBUTED

“I am deeply honored to join the Domestic Abuse Shelter and to build upon the strong foundation Sherrie and the DAS team have established,” said Curl. “Throughout my career, I have been committed to serving people who are vulnerable, underserved or facing significant barriers to care and support. I look forward to working alongside our staff, board, community partners and supporters to ensure survivors throughout Monroe County have access to the safety, resources and services they need. I am excited about the opportunity to strengthen our partnerships, expand our community outreach, and help position DAS for a strong and sustainable future.” — Contributed

WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL THOSE WHO SUPPORTED OUR EVENT Sponsored by:

Flower Sponsors The Tackle Box Flowers by J & J Dessert Sponsor Sweet Savannah's Bar Sponsor Brian Schmitt, Coldwell Banker Schmitt Photographers Photo Design by Natalie Doug Finger Special thanks to Dale Coburn, John Schaefer, Brian Shea, Jesus Parra, Josh Mothner, Linda Schaefer and Crane Point Museum for making our 'Flagler's Dream' sketch such a success!

Special Thank you to our Guest Announcers: Sam Williams Sean McDonald Mayor Lynny Del Gaizo Mayor Michelle Lincoln Kelly Williams Special Thanks to our Volunteers: Erin Arnett Kelly Judd Kristina Helms Mike Puto Annie Wilson Wendy Gates Kiki McIntyre Brenda Hill Kelly Williams

Very Special Thank you to the amazing staﬀ at Hawks Cay Resort!

MARATHON WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

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DK’S HAS YOU COVERED

Monroe County School Board veteran John Dick, center, receives the Robin Tanner Public Service Award from Rotary president Kelly Williams, left, and Keys Weekly publisher Jason Koler. NATALIE DANKO/Keys Weekly

FOR ONCE, WE’RE SERIOUS John Dick gets the last laugh with the Robin Tanner Public Service Award at the Best of Marathon ALEX RICKERT

alex@keysweekly.com

lected officials are always stepping into the line of fire when they take a seat at the Best of Marathon. But as much as we make jokes, it’s our honor to recognize the outstanding people who make Marathon such an incredible place to work, raise a family and run a business. So while we’ll always sneak in a joke about John Dick, we’d be remiss if we left out the two decades he’s spent serving the Florida Keys as a member of our Monroe County School Board, retiring this year after his final term as board chair. On Saturday night, Keys Weekly publisher Jason Koler and Marathon Rotary Club president Kelly Williams presented Dick with the Robin Tanner Public Service Award – the only special award given at our 2026 ceremony. The following are remarks made to honor John that evening:

John Dick has dedicated decades of his life to public service, education and the Marathon community. A native of Brooklyn, New York, John moved to the Florida Keys in 1989 and quickly became deeply involved in the community he would come to call home. A U.S. Army veteran who served in Vietnam, he continued his commitment to service in the Keys through veterans’ organizations, local civic groups and Marathon High School, where he worked as a college and career counselor. In 2006, John was elected to the Monroe County School Board, beginning a 20-year tenure marked by his focus on fiscal responsibility, teachers’ compensation, improved school facilities and opportunities for students. His many years of service to Marathon and Monroe County reflect a lasting commitment to his community and make him a fitting recipient of the Rotary Club of Marathon’s Robin Tanner Public Service Award.

MARATHON WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

BEST OF MARATHON WINNERS FOOD & DRINK

Best Bar: Sparky's Landing - Fish n Cocktails Best Bartender: Rachel Bowman - Keys Fisheries Best BBQ: Irie Island Eats Best Beer Selection: Herbie's Bar & Chowder House Best Bloody Mary: Castaway Waterfront Restaurant & Sushi Bar Best Breakfast: The Stuffed Pig Best Burger: Burdines Waterfront Best Catering: Chef Heather Best Conch Fritters: Cracked Conch Cafe Best Cook your own Catch: Lazy Days South Best Cuban Sandwich: LJ's Café Best Cup of Coffee: Georgie's Coffee Shop Best Dessert Spot: Sweet Savannah’s of the Florida Keys Best Family Friendly Restaurant: Island Fish Company Best Fine Dining: The Rhum House Best Fish Sandwich: Fish Tales Market and Eatery Best Food Truck: Irie Island Eats Best Happy Hour: Sparky's Landing - Fish n Cocktails Best International Food: Frank's Grill Best Key Lime Pie: S.S. Wreck & Galley Grill Best Late Night Spot: Brass Monkey Best Live Music Venue: Dockside Boot Key Harbor Best Lunch: Fish Tales Market and Eatery Best Margarita: Sparky's Landing - Fish n Cocktails Best Overall Restaurant: Florida Keys Steak & Lobster House Best Pizza: Driftwood Pizza, Pasta, & Subs Best Seafood: Fish Tales Market & Eatery Best Server: Brennan Bye - Florida Keys Steak & Lobster House Best Steak: Florida Keys Steak & Lobster House Best Sushi: Castaway Waterfront Restaurant & Sushi Bar Best Taco: Takeria La Palapa Best Waterfront Dining: Island Fish Company Best Wings: Driftwood Pizza, Pasta, & Subs

OUR COMMUNITY

Best Band/Musician: Abstract Radio Best Bathroom: Marathon Library Best Beard: Andy Sharf Best Educator: Mac Childress Best Elected Official: Robyn Still Best Event: Marathon Seafood Festival Best Local Celebrity: Fred the Tree Best Non-Profit Organization: FKSPCA Best Place to Have a Wedding: Isla Bella Beach Resort Best Place to Take a Date: Marathon Community Theatre Best Place to Take a Selfie: Old Seven Mile Bridge Best Place to Take the Kids: Dolphin Research Center Best Sports Coach: Mac Childress Best Summer Camp: Pigeon Key Best Sunset: Old Seven Mile Bridge Best Thespian/Performing Artist: Dale Coburn Best Tourist Attraction: Turtle Hospital Best Volunteer: JC Mora

THE BUSINESSES

Best Auto Repair: Island Tire Best Bait & Tackle Shop: The Tackle Box Best Bank/Credit Union: Keys Federal Credit Union Best Business: Bayshore Clothing Best Customer Service: The Tackle Box Best Detailing Service: Tyrone's Mobile Car Wash Best Family Owned Business: Fish Tales Market & Eatery Best Fishing Guide/Charter: Captain James Simcic Best General Contractor: Ed Sims Development Best Health and Wellness Service: Island Pilates Best Landscape Company: Alex Landscaping and Lawn Services Inc Best Law Firm: Wolfe Stevens PLLC Best Marina: Faro Blanco Marina Best Marine Repair: Small Town Marine Best Medical Professional: Gregory Keifer, DO Best New Business: Golden Road Best Photographer: Yeni Matie Photography Best Real Estate Ofﬁce: Coldwell Banker Schmitt Real Estate Co Best Realtor: Sam Williams - Coldwell Banker Schmitt Best Resort/Hotel: Hawks Cay Resort Best Retail Shop: Bayshore Clothing Best Salon: Salon Blanco Spa Best Specialty Contractor: Bryk Electric Co Best Vacation Rental Company: Florida Keys Vacation Rentals Inc Best Veterinarian: Dr. Mike Dunn Best Water Sports/Leisure Cruise: Island Girls Excursions

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WINNERS Presented by

Sponsored by:

KEYSWEEKLY.COM/BOM26

All proceeds to beneﬁt: Marathon Rotary Club

MARATHON WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

NO ONE WAS SAFE. EVERYONE WAS A WINNER. 2026 Best of Marathon celebrates the Middle Keys’ finest

he jokes were flying, the drinks were flowing and no elected official was safe as the Keys Weekly and Rotary Club of Marathon welcomed 300 guests to the splendor of Hawks Cay Resort for the 2026 Best of Marathon Awards. Held to benefit the Rotary Club of Marathon, the annual celebration brought together local business owners, community leaders and residents for a night of well-deserved recognition, fellowship and comedy bits that mercilessly roasted the elected officials and dignitaries brave enough to attend. Hosts Jason Koler and Alex Rickert began the night with a warning and a promise: “We only roast the ones we love.” From there, it was open season. But between the punchlines, the evening carried a more meaningful message about the people who make Marathon what it is. Rotary president Kelly Williams highlighted the club's contributions to the Middle Keys, totaling more than $450,000 from 2021 through 2025. The evening also paid tribute to community pillars Caitrin Piscetello, Ben Daniels and former Marathon mayor Mike Cinque, who passed away this year. In honor of Piscetello, Rotary pledged $5,000 in seed funding toward a foundation to be established in her name, continuing her legacy of service to the community. Beyond the awards and tributes, the Sept. 19 gala was a celebration of the businesses, organizations and individuals who give Marathon its character. With plenty of laughs and a shared commitment to giving back, the Best of Marathon once again proved that recognizing the community's finest can be a whole lot of fun. — Keys Weekly staff report For full gallery see keysweekly.com

1. Decked out with a medal and full Christmas lights, Fred the Tree takes the stage as the Best Local Celebrity. 2. Bellyflop king Patrick Stevens takes a bow. 3,11. Monroe County Mayor Michelle Lincoln owns her ‘vision’ for Middle Keys economic development in one of the evening’s many comedy sketches. 4. Rachel Bowman and Sheriff Rick Ramsay earn the evening’s first zingers. 5. Dale Coburn takes his turn in the spotlight as the Cowardly Lion as he wins Best Thespian. 6. Driftwood Pizza owner Tony Piscetello makes his way to the stage. 7. Judge Derek Lewis, right, and his wife Eve enjoy the evening. 8. Shane and Lisa Wiebe settle in for a night of comedy. 9. Julia Cieplak shares a laugh. 10. Freida, left, and Marathon City Councilman Lynn Landry enjoy the Weekly’s comedy sketch ‘Flagler’s Dream.’ 12. Monroe County Commissioner Holly Raschein finds herself in the line of fire. 13. Rotary president Kelly Williams details the club’s community contributions throughout the Middle Keys. 14. Patti Childress, left, takes in her final Best of Marathon as a member of the Marathon Weekly staff with husband Todd. 15. Charlotte Quinn samples the buffet. 16. Chris Bryk comes prepared with T-shirt swag as he wins Best Specialty Contractor. 17. Keys Weekly publisher Jason Koler, left, and fellow Rotarian and real estate agent Sam Williams get a photo op. Williams would end the night as the 2026 Best Realtor. 18. Leslie Christensen, left, Rachel Bowman and Kate Koler get a photo op. Next page. 19. Fundraiser extraordinaire Wendy Bonilla, left, Marathon Weekly editor Alex Rickert and Marathon City Councilwoman Robyn Still marvel at Bonilla’s ‘local diplomacy’ with City Manager Steve Williams. 20. Best Local Celebrity finalist Andy Sharf, left, gives his version of a ‘graceful concession’ to winner Fred the Tree, represented by Kristen Livengood. 20. Amber Klein, left, and Julia Cieplak snag some centerpieces. 21. School board member-elect Luis Gonzalez Sr. takes his turn in the roast. Photos by: NATALIE DANKO/Keys Weekly

MARATHON WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

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MARATHON WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

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MARATHON WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

NOTHING LIKE YOUR FIRST Newcomers win big at 2026 Best of Marathon

ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

F 6

or some, walking to the podium at the Best of Marathon Awards is an annual ritual. But there’s nothing that can replace the first time you hear your name called to thunderous applause – and quite frankly, for us as hosts, it’s one of the best parts of our night. The 2026 ceremony at Hawks Cay had a whopping 19 first-time award winners, meaning about a quarter of our categories saw new honorees earning the spotlight. Congratulations to all. 1. Robyn Still earns her first-ever Best Elected Official award – accompanied by ‘First Dude’ Chris Still. The couple’s business, the Tackle Box, also earned the Best Bait & Tackle Shop and Best Customer Service awards. 2. Twin brothers David and Chris Campbell earn their first Best Band win with their homegrown group Abstract Radio. 3. He’s no stranger to the podium, but Andy Sharf’s beard has never won an award – until now. 4. Bayshore Clothing takes home one of the most prestigious categories as Best Business. 5. Bryk Electric Co. is your 2026 Best Specialty Contractor. 6. The Cowardly Lion himself, Dale Coburn, takes Best Thespian. 7. Gregory Kiefer earns Best Medical Professional. 8. Fish Tales Market & Eatery cleans house, earning Best Fish Sandwich, Best Lunch, Best Seafood and Best Family-Owned Business. 9. Fred the Tree is your Best Local Celebrity – nestled on the Old Seven Mile Bridge (Best Sunset). 10. Golden Road earns the 2026 Best New Business award. 11. Sisters Sara, left, and Natalie Strama earn Best Leisure Cruise with their company Island Girls Excursions. 12. The Island Fish Co. wins the first-ever Best Family-Friendly Restaurant award. 13. JC Mora is the 2026 Best Volunteer in Marathon. 14. Looking for the best place to take a date? Head on over to Marathon Community Theatre. 15. The Rhum House gang earns their first Best Fine Dining win. 16. Georgie’s Coffee Shop brings the Best Cup of Coffee to Grassy Key. Not pictured: Island Pilates wins Best Health & Wellness Service. Photos by DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly

MARATHON WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 The Most Trusted Name in Florida Keys Real Estate since 1955.

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MARATHON WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

FUNCTIONALLY CAFFEINATED WELLNESS

YOU’VE BEEN INFLUENCED

have been on a bit of a de-influencing kick over on my Instagram page lately. My mission is pretty simple: educate people about health and wellness while hopefully preventing a few of you from falling victim to the $6.8 TRILLION global industry that is health and wellness. Yes, trillion. With a T. Before anyone gets confused, I make my living in health and wellness. I have for years. I believe deeply in exercise, nutrition, sleep, preventive health and taking care of the body you’ve been given. I also believe there are supplements worth taking, health technologies worth using and products absolutely worth spending money on. What I don’t believe is that taking care of your body should require 17 supplements, a vibration plate promising to shake away all your problems, a parasite cleanse, a continuous glucose monitor you don’t medically need and a $4,000 machine promising to somehow improve your mitochondria while you sleep. Somewhere along the way, wellness stopped simply being something we do and became something we are constantly being sold. And the sales pitch generally comes in one of two flavors. Option A: Thank God you found this person because they have finally discovered the hack, secret, protocol or missing piece that will help you ______ by ______. Lucky you, they are willing to share this life-changing information for the perfectly reasonable price of $299. Option B is a little darker. You are in imminent danger. Your hormones are broken. Your cortisol is through the roof. Your gut is leaking. Your lymph isn’t draining. Your liver is apparently incapable of doing the job it has been doing your entire life, and there is a very good chance you are currently housing a family of parasites. But don’t panic. They sell something for that. And don’t worry about the exorbitant price because there’s a payment plan. Besides, who can put a price on evicting the tapeworm you didn’t know you had? This is where the health and wellness industry has become incredibly good at what it does. It knows how to sell us two things that are very difficult for human beings to resist: hope and fear. Hope tells us there might be an easier, faster or better way to get something we desperately want. Lose the weight. Sleep better. Have more energy. Fix the bloating. Stop aging. Balance the hormones. Get rid of the brain fog. Feel like ourselves again.

UNSPLASH

Fear works from the opposite direction. Instead of promising something we want, it convinces us something terrible might already be happening. Health is the perfect place for this kind of marketing because JENNIFER every single one of us HARVEY has something to lose. Nobody wants cancer. ...is a MarathonNobody wants demenbased ACSMtia. Nobody wants heart certified personal trainer and disease. Nobody wants to precision nutrition lose their independence coach who owns as they age. Nobody and operates wants to feel exhausted, Highly Motivated gain weight, lose muscle Functionally Caffeinated LLC. or discover too late that something was wrong. So when someone shows up on your phone and confidently tells you that the headache you had Tuesday, the bloating you had after dinner and the fact that you woke up at 3 a.m. are all signs that your body is desperately trying to tell you something, you listen. Especially when that same person conveniently has the answer linked in their bio. This is exactly why I started de-influencing on my own Instagram page. I don’t want to tell people that everything in wellness is garbage, because it isn’t. I want people to get better at separating what might actually improve their health from what has simply been marketed well enough to make them believe they need it. There are supplements with good evidence behind them. There are incredible health technologies. There are products I use personally and professionally because they are useful and supported by science. Making money in the health and wellness industry does not automatically make someone a snake oil salesman.

The problem is when the marketing has to convince you that you are sick before it can convince you that the product works. That is where I want all of us to become a little harder to influence. Before you buy the supplement, sign up for the protocol, order the test or start the cleanse, ask a few questions. What exactly is this supposed to do? Is there quality research supporting it? Who is making the claim? Are they also selling the solution? And perhaps most importantly, did I believe there was something wrong with me before I watched this video? Sometimes the most effective health advice is also the least marketable. Sleep enough. Move your body. Lift heavy things. Eat enough protein, plants and fiber. Drink water. Don’t smoke. Limit alcohol. Maintain relationships. Get appropriate health screenings. Know your blood pressure and basic health numbers. Go to the doctor when something doesn’t feel right. None of that is particularly sexy. There’s no secret protocol, seven-day reset, miracle powder shipped to your door or quiz revealing which toxin has apparently been ruining your life since 2007. It also doesn’t come with a payment plan. The wellness industry will continue inventing things for us to buy because there are trillions of dollars proving that we will buy them. Some will be useful. Some will be useless. Some will probably be downright ridiculous. My goal with de-influencing isn’t to convince you to stop spending money on your health. Spend money on your health. I just want you to stop assuming that spending money is the same thing as improving it. Your health probably isn’t hiding behind a checkout button. And unfortunately, there’s no affiliate code for going to bed.

MARATHON WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

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MARATHON WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

RUN ON THE SCENIC OLD HIGHWAY RETURNS

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Participants gather for the 2025 Old Highway 5k Run/Walk at Coral Shores High School on Nov. 15, 2025. The annual run returns Saturday, Oct. 3. File photo

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vents season in the Upper Keys gets underway on Saturday, Oct. 3 with a run and a stroll on the scenic Old Highway in Islamorada. Dubbed the Old Highway 5k Run/Walk, the race is back for a third year. The run and walk was organized by Baptist Health South Florida for a number of years before it came to an end. The event is now under racing and events coordinator Henry Menendez, of HNO productions. He’s the organizer of the biggest race in the Upper Keys, the First State Bank Key Largo Bridge Run, which takes runners over Jewfish Creek Bridge. Menendez said he’s particularly excited about growing the Old Highway Run in year three. And more than anything, he’s ready to bring the community throughout the Keys and on the mainland back for a beautiful run and walk. “The course is for runners and walkers of all ages and abilities,” Menendez said. “It’s a beautiful highway wedged between lush vegetation and away from U.S. 1.” Runners and walkers will take to the starting line at Coral Shores High School at 7:30 a.m. From there, they will make their way up the Old

Daniel Coho throws up the peace signs as he nears the finish line at Coral Shores High School.

Highway and loop back around to the finish line at the high school. With a flat course and plenty of shade thanks to canopy trees, participants can test their best time or simply enjoy a stroll. Menendez said proceeds will support Coral Shores High School. Race shirts and participant medals will be available to the first 200 to register. Awards will be presented to the overall top three male and female finishers, overall masters for male and female runners and top three for each age group. After the race, runners and walkers can reunite with family and friends while enjoying snacks, refreshments and music. The mobile coffee camper Cupacabana will be at the event. More information is at oldhighwayrun.com.

MARATHON WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

BEST STEAK | BEST SERVER BEST OVERALL RESTAURANT Receiving the 2026 Best Steak, Best Server, and Best Overall Restaurant awards is especially meaningful to us this year. Florida Keys Steak & Lobster House is currently navigating a Chapter 11 reorganization. Although this has been a challenging chapter, we remain open, committed to serving our guests, and hopeful about the future. We want to express our deepest gratitude to the Marathon community and our loyal customers. Your continued support, encouragement, and trust have helped sustain us through uncertain times. We would not be here without you, and words cannot fully express how much your loyalty means to our entire restaurant family. Most importantly, I want to recognize our extraordinary staff. Their dedication, hard work, and commitment to providing exceptional food and service—despite the challenges we have faced—are the heart of this restaurant. These awards belong to them as much as they belong to Florida Keys Steak & Lobster House. Thank you to Marathon Weekly for this recognition and to everyone who voted for us. We are honored, humbled, and truly grateful to continue serving the community we love. With heartfelt appreciation, Maria Ely Owner, Florida Keys Steak & Lobster House

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MARATHON WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

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MARATHON WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 A flock of royal terns awaiting a storm on Higgs Beach. MARK HEDDEN/Keys Weekly

ummer had been officially over for nearly half a day, and I had the day mostly free. The only limiting factor, I thought, was the predicted storms, which were supposed to hit at MARK about 1 o’clock by my readHEDDEN ing of the weather page. Normally I wouldn’t head ... is a photograout birding at 11 a.m. on a pher, writer, and semi-professional pretty warm day – early or birdwatcher. He late is generally my theory. has lived in Key But it was cloudy, which West for more made it relatively cool. than 25 years and I’m not much of a may no longer be employable in list keeper when I go out the real world. He because I didn’t get into is also executive birdwatching for the paperdirector of the Florida Keys Audu- work. But I had a strange urge to see if I could pull off bon Society. seeing 59 species in the twoish hours before the rain came. The first bird, not unexpectedly, was a mourning dove on a wire near the “People’s Fausto’s” on White Street. Then a pair of rock pigeons facing different directions on a wire in front of City Hall. At the park behind the Higgs Beach dog park, there was a white-crowned pigeon in an actual tree. Inside the fence where the FAA tower used to be was a snowy egret. The pond in that part of the park is scraggly but can host a lot of different birds. On a branch just over the water a yellow-crowned night heron was at parade rest. In the buttonwood branches overhead, were a Eurasian collared dove and a white-winged dove, not consorting, but not avoiding each other, either. Higher up, a blue-gray gnatcatcher, a female black-throated blue warbler, a northern parula of indeterminate gender and a male American redstart. Just below the car door was a rooster. Chickens are domesticated animals, but for some reason they are countable birds in Key West. When I put the car back into gear a northern mockingbird flew off toward the tennis courts and a trio of fish crows flew through the darkening sky making their kazoo-like caws. From the other side of the towerless old FAA tower site I could see a small pond had formed and a trio of northern shovelers, with their stout shovel-shaped bills, paddled about as if they were in a kiddy pool. A male and female common yellowthroat perched in the holes in the chainlink. A white ibis came in and landed. Driving on, I caught sight of a pair of Eurasian starlings sitting on the fence, then a female red-winged blackbird in the mud. Usually you see bathing-suited people hanging out at Higgs Beach no matter the weather — tourists bound and determined to get in their beach time — but it being the closest we get to an off-season, the beach was empty, the humans replaced by about 80 royal terns, 30 sandwich terns, and 20 laughing gulls.

FIFTY-NINE SPECIES OR BUST

I faced a decision then – head to Fort Zach to look for migrating warblers, or take the quicker trip over to Smathers Beach with the hope of some shorebirds. A great egret flew across the road as I headed east. I stopped at Rest Beach and got out with the motor running, catching sight of a great white heron, which I’m going to count as a species no matter what the American Ornithological Society says. Below it, milling in the sargassum, were a dozen or so semi-palmated plovers, Ewoks to the heron’s AT-AT Walker. There was also a distant brown pelican. As I got back into the car I saw my first northern harrier of the season, skimming slow over the treetops, then a higher elevation osprey flapping in the other direction. I parked on Atlantic Boulevard and stuck my head into the pond where, last December, Judy Blume had told me there were some roseate spoonbills. There were none, but I added a trio of blue-winged teals, sleeping with their heads tucked under their wings, to the list, and a proper great blue heron. I was trying to be efficient, but the nature trail was right there, so I walked down to the platform, where I found nothing new. But I was halfway to the beach, so I headed out, and picked up a Whitman’s Sampler of shorebirds — a willet, a ruddy turnstone, a shortbilled dowitcher and two least sandpipers. And through wind-buffeted binoculars, a doublecrested cormorant on a distant channel marker. On the way back I heard the chip of a northern waterthrush and the hyper-fast scatting of a white-eyed vireo. I was aiming to see, not hear, 59 birds, but I added them to the list just to be safe. I actually laid eyes on an overbird strutting on the path ahead. As I was unlocking the car I heard a redbellied woodpecker and looked up to see one creeping up the top of a snag. In the top of a different tree were two eastern kingbirds, migrants who would not be here next week.

As I turned onto Bertha Street from Atlantic Avenue, a magnificent frigatebird, all black so an adult male, sidled by in the wind. At the foot of South Roosevelt the three concrete abutments, which I always think of as the Three Sisters, were empty. Out over the ocean, things were getting dark. There was one particular cloud from which thick curtains of rain hung, but it looked like it would be a while before it hit. I stopped where the sand ran out on Smathers and scanned the sargassum, but it was bird-free. Then I drove out where Houseboat Row used to be to look for reddish egrets, but there were none. I figured I had time to get to Fort Zachary Taylor. The wind turbines by the Hampton Inn were spinning like blender blades on high, but a guy in a bucket truck was chopping coconuts off a palm tree, and if he wasn’t worried, what was there to worry about? It was just coming up on noon. A quarter-mile later, the world was a white-out, water coming down in sheets. Past East Martello I turned onto the Bridle Path, partly because it seemed safer, partly because I was hoping to glance sideways into one of the salt ponds and catch sight of a reddish egret there. But it was literally a wash. I hoped the guy in the bucket truck got down okay. Thunder started booming and I started worrying about the dog, who is not a fan of window- rattling noises. I drove side streets home, in the last stretch carefully passing a mother and her toddler son, him holding onto her hand, both of them soaking wet, both of them smiling. In a little under an hour I’d seen 41 species. I’m pretty sure I would have made it to 59 if the rain hadn’t come in like that. There are much worse ways to spend an hour.

MARATHON WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

OBITUARY

BUYING ‘FRESH FROM FLORIDA’ The state produces more than oranges

ave you ever stood in the produce section and actually looked at where your food came from? I do this more often than I probably should. I’ll pick up a tomato, turn it over and look for the little sticker. Florida? Great. California? That tomato has had quite a road trip. Another country? Now I’m wondering how many miles it traveled before landing in my shopping cart. ALICIA That BETANCOURT doesn’t automatically mean is the University of Florida, IFAS the Florida Monroe County tomato will Extension Direcbe better. But tor and Commuwhen Florida nity Development produce is in Agent. season, I like knowing there’s a good chance it was grown much closer to home. And that is really what “Fresh from Florida” is about. Operated by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the program helps us recognize food grown, raised and harvested in the state. A lot more than oranges Mention Florida agriculture and most people immediately think of oranges. Maybe strawberries and tomatoes make the list. But Florida agriculture is much bigger than that. Florida has about 44,400 farms and ranches covering 9.7 million acres, producing hundreds of agricultural commodities. We grow everything from sweet corn, peppers and watermelon to avocados, blueberries and tropical fruit. Add cattle, seafood and nursery plants, and you begin to appreciate how diverse Florida agriculture is. Shopping with the seasons Buying Florida food also encourages us to pay attention to

the seasons again. We’re used to walking into a supermarket and expecting strawberries, tomatoes and watermelon 12 months a year. Usually they’re there, but they don’t come from the same place all year. I notice this most with strawberries. When Florida strawberry season arrives, those packages start showing up everywhere. They look great, the price often improves as supplies increase, and suddenly strawberry shortcake seems like a very good idea. A few months later, the Florida berries disappear and the strawberries on the shelf have traveled much farther. Sweet corn is another example. When I see a big display of Florida corn at a good price, that often determines dinner. I wasn’t planning corn on the cob, but sometimes the produce section should get a vote. Don’t forget the seafood Living in Florida also means access to some wonderful seafood. Instead of simply asking, “What’s on sale?” try asking, “What’s from Florida?” Depending on the season and where you live, choices can include shrimp, snapper, grouper, mahimahi, stone crab, spiny lobster, oysters and clams. Not everything will be local every day, but asking where seafood comes from is an easy habit to develop. The person behind the counter may also know what came in recently, what’s especially good that week or how to prepare something new. Logo makes shopping easier Most of us don’t have time to investigate the life history of every tomato we buy. That’s where the “Fresh from Florida” logo comes in handy. It is an easy visual clue that a product is connected to Florida agriculture. Our grocery purchases can help support Florida farmers, ranchers, fishers and other businesses connected to agriculture. Working farms and ranches also

MICHAEL E. McCORMACK 1956-2026 The ‘Fresh from Florida’ logo can be found on products in grocery stores. CONTRIBUTED

help keep land in agricultural production as Florida continues to grow. ‘Fresh from Florida’ challenge Here’s something to try on your next grocery trip: find five Florida foods. Don’t change your grocery list — just look. Check the strawberries. Turn over the tomato package. Look at the sign above the sweet corn. Read the watermelon sticker. Ask where the shrimp came from. Farmers’ markets and seafood markets make the challenge even more interesting. Ask vendors where something was grown or harvested, what’s especially good that week, and how they like to prepare it. Let Florida decide the menu The official Fresh from Florida website includes a “What’s in Season” guide, recipes and information about Florida-grown products, farmers’ markets and seafood markets. The next time you’re grocery shopping, take an extra second before tossing something into your cart. Look at the label. Look for the sunshine. And ask yourself one simple question: “Can I get this Fresh from Florida?” You might be surprised how often the answer is yes.

ichael E. McCormack (age 70), known lovingly as "Gumps" to his grandchildren, passed away on Sept. 5 at home in Key Colony Beach after a long and courageous battle with heart disease. Michael was predeceased by his parents, Michael and Renee (Beauseigneur) McCormack. He is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Cindy Fox. He leaves behind three children, Karen, Connie and Matthew; and seven loving grandchildren, Kaley, Maddy, Charlie, Anthony, Olivia, Amelia and Elise. Michael was raised in Paramus, New Jersey along with his sister, Debbie, and brother, Dennis, who both survive him. He was a lover of New York sports teams and all things New York. He was an avid foodie and loved taking rides with Cindy to explore new places and great places to stop for a sweet treat or quick snack, which often turned into four-course meals and all-day eating marathons. He loved nothing more than spending time spoiling his grandchildren and is likely responsible for more trips to Orlando theme parks than any other grandparent in history. He will be sincerely missed by those who knew and loved him. Family and friends are invited to a funeral Mass honoring Michael's life on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026 at 11 a.m. at San Pablo Catholic Church, 550 122nd Street Ocean, Marathon.

MARATHON WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

is your home for Florida Keys Football

MARATHON WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

HENRY FLAGLER’S FLORIDA KEYS LEGACY

enry Flagler and the Key West Extension of his Florida East Coast Railway altered the history of the Florida Keys. Before his train came rocking and rolling over land and sea, the island chain was home to boating communities. The outside world was linked to the docks and wharves extending from the edges of the islands like lifelines. People relied on ships to bring what they could not grow on the islands or harvest from the surrounding waters. Coffee, sugar and other sundry items, along with mail, friends and family arrived by boat. When the weather cooperated, mail, friends and family left on boats. For those calling the Florida Keys home, change was on the horizon, and it came in the form of Flagler. He had a vision, set the plan in motion and financed the railroad’s construction through the Keys. Surveys were made, land was cleared, tracks laid and bridges built; each was an extraordinary feat given the uncharted territory. Flagler accomplished something bigger, too. He physically altered portions of the island chain, making one island where there were once two, as was the case with Windley Key. He also changed the culture of the communities that called the island chain home. After the train arrived, people living in the Keys no longer relied solely

on the erratic nature of ship schedules. Life got a little easier as islanders began to turn their focus away from the long, thin docks extending from the craggy shoreline FLORIDA and toward the railKEYS road right-of-way HISTORY running through WITH the islands’ interiBRAD ors. The train BERTELLI brought a schedule Brad is a local to the Keys as it historian, author, speaker and rumbled up and Honorary Conch down the island who loves sharing chain twice a day. the history of the It arrived at Key Florida Keys. Largo at 12:50 p.m., Tavernier at 1:15, Islamorada at 1:31, Marathon at 3:08, and Key West at 4:35. The train brought consistency, delivering, among other things, coffee, sugar, ice, mail and family. It also made medical care easier by allowing convenient travel to Key West or the mainland to see a doctor or dentist. Change occurred in the Upper Keys and Middle Keys years before it did on the other side of the Seven Mile Bridge. While the train arrived in Key West on Jan. 22, 1912, daily service had been established across the Upper Keys and down through

Knights Key, at the base of what is now called the Seven Mile Bridge, by 1908. For farmers shipping the fruits of their labor to northern markets aboard ships, the route’s slow pace and occasional delays from weather or other phenomena hastened spoilage during shipping. The railroad was a boon for Upper Keys farmers because it was more efficient. New York markets could be reached in two or three days. Locals began asking county officials for roads to access the right-of-way better. New communities developed near railroad hubs and stations. Tavernier, Islamorada and Marathon, each established between 1907 and 1910, developed as a result of Flagler’s train. One thing the train did successfully was open a door to the Florida Keys that had previously not existed. When that door swung open, the tourism industry began to take root. Motels, restaurants and fish camps, most notably the Long Key Fishing Camp, were established. New calls for a road to connect to the mainland followed. Those calls developed into the construction of State Road 4A, the first version of the Overseas Highway. When it opened in 1928, it magnified what Flagler’s train brought to public attention – the Keys as a destination. The train’s run ended when the Labor Day Hurricane devastated the

Henry Flagler and Mayor Joseph Fogarty of Key West during the arrival of the first train on Jan. 22, 1912. FLORIDA KEYS HISTORY CENTER/Monroe County Public Library

island chain on Sept. 2, 1935. The destruction included 40 miles of railroad track; the train never ran again. After the hurricane, the railroad and the highway became intertwined. The state purchased the right of way and, when the second version of the Overseas Highway opened to traffic in 1938, the railroad bridges between Lower Matecumbe Key and Big Pine Key had been widened to accommodate automobile traffic. Although the train no longer runs through the Florida Keys, nearly a century later, its visual reminders are hard to miss. Many of the bridges that linked one island to the next still stand as the metaphorical stitching holding Flagler’s legacy intact. Years and hurricanes may have chipped away at them, but many are still in active use. Long since closed to traffic, many of the old railroad bridges are used for fishing, strolling or watching the colors in the sky change when the sun starts to set. For early risers, sunrise strolls work, too, as the island chain acts as a border between the east and west. On one side of the island chain, the sun rises. On the other, it sets. Although cars no longer drive over the old railroad bridges, one “train” still transports people over one of them. It delivers passengers to Pigeon Key, one of the most culturally significant reminders of the railroad years. Home to railroad workers during the construction years, the small island has been preserved as a monument to the building of Flagler’s railroad. Home to some of the oldest structures still standing outside of Key West, visiting Pigeon Key feels a little bit like stepping back in time. The “railroad” tram ride over the refurbished Flagler-era bridge, with warm, salty breezes blowing, certainly helps set the mood. Flagler died on May 20, 1913, and never heard about the 1935 hurricane or saw the end of his ambitious line. He didn’t see his bridges become automobile bridges or hear the name Seven Mile Bridge, which is actually four distinct bridges: Knights Key, Pigeon Key, Moser Channel and Pacet Channel Viaduct. Though he was a visionary, Flagler could never have looked at the Pacet Channel Viaduct and foreseen an Australian pine sapling taking root and growing into a local celebrity named Fred the Tree. Like Flagler, Fred had a dream and pursued it with wild abandon.

MARATHON WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

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MARATHON WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

BRIEFLY

Honor America’s 250 at Seven Mile Bridge A Seven Mile Bridge sunset celebration will be held Saturday, Oct. 10, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Residents and visitors are invited to the free event, part of America 250 Florida Keys to mark the country’s semiquincentennial, which will also feature sample creations by the Marathon High School culinary program, as well offerings from Grimal Grove and others. The event, highlighted by a 7:05 p.m. sunset, will include live entertainment, history, culture and community spirit, while honoring the nation’s milestone anniversary. SUV crashes through Dollar Tree windows

MCSO/Contributed

There were no life-threatening injuries reported on Sept. 16 after an SUV crashed into the Dollar Tree store in Marathon. Two people at the store sustained minor injuries, but were not taken to the hospital. The single-vehicle crash occurred around 5 p.m. at 10966 Overseas Highway and involved a black Honda CR-V driven by a 72-year-old female. There were no passengers in the vehicle. The crash remains under investigation. Initial reports are that the driver was attempting to park when she lost control of the vehicle. CFK ‘mini-mester’ lets students get ahead Registration is open for the College of the Florida Keys “mini-mester,” with classes starting Oct. 8. Current and new students can take advantage of eight-week courses to accelerate their progress. Dozens of courses are available, including marine science, diving, culinary, marine engineering, international business and more. Students can even start a bachelor’s degree in the mini-mester. Applications are due by Oct. 2. Information is at www.cfk.edu/fall-minimester/. Assistance with registration and financial resources is also available. Current students and anyone exploring options can book an appointment with an academic adviser at www. cfk.edu/meet-the-advisors or ask questions directly from CFK faculty and the financial team at a virtual academic showcase. The showcase will be held via Zoom on Thursday, Sept. 24 at 5:30 p.m. Register at https://www.cfk.edu/events/.

Oklahoma man arrested for gun threats An intoxicated 20-year-old Choctaw, Oklahoma man was arrested on Sept. 15 after he was kicked out of a home in Marathon only to return with a gun, according to witnesses. The gun was not fired and there were no reported life-threatening injuries. Ronnie Raphiel Garcia was charged with battery, aggravated assault, home invasion with a deadly weapon, resisting arrest, possession of a firearm while intoxicated and assault on EMS. The sheriff’s office responded to a residence on Knights Key Boulevard around 9 p.m. regarding a man with a gun. Deputies arrived to find Garica detained by multiple people. Witnesses stated Garcia was previously at the residence, but others there told him to leave. Garcia reportedly returned with a handgun, kicked the door in and pointed the gun at the victims, who were able to detain him. Garcia bit one of the victims on the arm. Garica told the sheriff’s office, “It was their fault I am drunk.” Garcia urinated himself and attempted to splash that urine on EMS while they were checking his vitals. He was medically cleared at Fishermen’s Hospital and taken to jail. Anne McKee Artists Fund opens grant applications The Anne McKee Artists Fund offers grant opportunities to individual visual, performing and literary artists who reside in Key West and the Florida Keys. The fund has changed its traditional grant cycle. Applications will be available on Sept. 28, with a deadline of Oct. 26. The Anne McKee Artist Fund standard grant award offers grants from $500 to $3,000 per person for project-based work. In addition, there are three youth-based scholarships, with categories for age 14-and-over and under-14 youth, as well as the Jon McIntosh Student Grant for high school seniors’ artistic advancement. The fourth annual Joint Performance Grant, co-sponsored by the McKee Artists Fund and the Tennessee Williams Theatre, is also available. Applications and details with specific Q&As are at mckeefund.org. Enjoy Coffee with a Cop on October 7 There may not be doughnuts, but there will certainly be a warm cup of Joe waiting for attendees during National Coffee with a Cop Day on Wednesday, Oct. 7. The event, which began in California in 2011, aims to bring together local law enforcement and residents. In Marathon, local law enforcement is provided by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. Capt. Derek Paul, Lt. Ben Elmore and numerous deputies will be on hand at LJ’s Café, 10694 Overseas Highway, starting at 8:30 a.m., to sit down with members of the public in an effort to encourage communication and positive interactions between local law enforcement personnel and the areas they serve. Residents can discuss and share their ideas for a safer, stronger Keys while forging relationships with local law enforcement. The event is part of National Community Policing Week.

City of Marathon to host community picnic The city of Marathon will host an “After the Bell” community picnic on Sunday, Sept. 27 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Oceanfront Park tiki. The evening will include free hot dogs, chips and drinks, a cash bar, kids’ games, music and school supply distributions. The event is co-sponsored by the city and Marathon Masonic Lodge 323. Survey targets state hazard mitigation efforts The state is seeking public input regarding its hazard mitigation efforts. The Florida Division of Emergency Management bureau of mitigation planning unit recently announced the 2028 State Hazard Mitigation Plan public outreach survey. As part of the update to the plan, residents and businesses across Florida are being surveyed to better understand the hazards and risks they experience and the mitigation strategies they believe could be most effective. The survey also includes questions about hazard mitigation knowledge, current mitigation efforts within communities, and opportunities to reduce future risk. The agency says wide participation will help ensure the updated plan reflects the risks, priorities and perspectives of communities across Florida. The survey, which closes Oct. 15, is at https://www.surveymonkey. com/r/567B98C. More information is at mitigationplanning@em.myflorida.com. Crane Point to host children’s concert series Crane Point will host the Children’s Tour and Concert Series, partnering with classic guitarist Mateo to offer children ages 5 to 11 an opportunity to learn respect for their surroundings while enjoying music designed just for them. This series features interactive games and hands-on activities. The concert explores the connection between music and nature with songs like "Hummingbird" and "Sunset.” It includes duet performances by Mateo's students and a hands-on experience in which children will be able to strum a classical guitar. Mateo has performed 100 children's concerts as an artist-in-residence for Monroe County. The first concert will be held on Oct. 19 at 4 p.m. in the Crane Point amphitheater, with 14 additional dates to be announced. The series is free to attend. Come take a class at the Marathon library The Marathon library has a wide variety of class offerings, ranging from photography to book clubs, robots, virtual reality and more. Scan the QR code here to see the schedule and get involved.

MARATHON WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

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MARATHON WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

On Sept. 21, we crossed a CHRIS major astrologiMcNULTY cal turning point is an astrologer, of the year. The wanderer, barfall equinox, the tender and advocate for queer moment of equal justice. He is a daylight and loquacious Gemini with a cozy Cancer darkness, is the threshold that rising. Find him at ushers us into the hearthandheraldastrology.com dark half of the year. The daylight hours are officially growing shorter and the nights are growing longer. For the next six months, our focus turns to the collective rather than the individual, on our intuition rather than knowledge, and on the potential rather than the actual. The sun enters Libra at the fall equinox. Libra is the sign that begins the dark half of the year, emphasizing our capacity for compromise and balance, as well as the importance of clear and intentional communication. This is the season to clear our conscience and find our people who will carry us through the dark months ahead in reciprocity. Soon after the equinox, we have a full moon in Aries on Saturday, Sept. 26. This full moon is all about feeling your courage, embodying your strength and using your anger as a teacher. You are a source for what the world needs now, and you can own your purpose while also acknowledging your place in community. This week is about finding “your place in the family of things,” as the poet Mary Oliver so graciously told us. Here are your horoscopes for the fall equinox and the Aries full moon. Read for your rising and sun signs. LIBRA Sept. 23 - Oct. 22 Happy, happy birthday season, Libra. You get to see yourself shine under a fresh light. Express yourself in ways that let us all see even more of you. Drop some of your scripts, get a little weird, let your uniqueness seep outward so we can bask in your glory. This full moon is about shared

intimacy with a partner. Express your truth, show some emotion, or get snuggly. A little vulnerability goes a long way. SCORPIO Oct. 23 - Nov. 21 Who are you when no one else is around? Do you run on autopilot, do you find real rest, or do you give yourself a hard time? Now is the time to get right with yourself in solitude. Observe how you care for yourself when you are in solitude. Under the full moon, find the sacred in the profane. How do your everyday movements and actions amount to devotional practices? SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22 - Dec. 21 You have a support network that orbits and constellates you, whether you interact with them on the regular or not. You are being offered a fresh light in which to see your friends and allies. Acknowledge them however you wish. Acknowledging them to yourself is quite valid. This full moon gives you the opportunity to merge with your craft. The art and the artist are one and the same. CAPRICORN Dec. 22 - Jan. 19 Your career and public reputation are front and center. Perhaps you’re switching positions or receiving recognition in the workplace. Use this time to scrutinize what you do a little bit, and make adjustments where needed while the light is good. Under the full moon, relish your time at home. You may not know where your home and family begin and you end, but home is where you recharge. AQUARIUS Jan. 20 - Feb. 18 Set your sights on your next great adventure, Aquarius. You are surrounded by horizons, literally and metaphorically. Which direction will you travel to explore the lands beyond? You don’t have to book the flight right now, but research the

potential destinations. As you dream of faraway places, realize also that you are immersed in the local world around you. Melt into the familiar while you map out the future. PISCES Feb. 19 - March 20 No one is self-made. It takes a village to get anyone where they are trying to go in life. Who has been sharing their bounty with you and who have you been sharing your resources with? Now is the time to acknowledge the sometimes invisible ties that bind you to other people. Under the full moon, be mindful not to let your boundaries down through generosity. Being of help is fantastic, but you need to have the bandwidth for it to be sustainable. ARIES March 21 - April 19 An important person and partner in your life is offering you the clarity that you have been seeking. Let them shine a light for you so you can make informed choices. Under this full moon, remember that you are a physical body completely enmeshed in a physical world. Do things that make yourself feel good. Wear comfy clothes, spend time in water, find ways to be weightless. TAURUS April 20 - May 20 You live in both a physical world and a psychic world. There is an outer and an inner to your experience. Under this sky, pay attention to the ways that you navigate the outer world. Are there ways that can either change or solidify your usual habits to serve yourself better? This full moon, use your alone time to just melt into your inner world. Let the outer world dissolve and feel yourself amongst the great everything. GEMINI May 21 - June 20 This is your creative season, Gemini. Do you have projects that need to be finished? Are there creative ways to express yourself that

ME BECOMES WE you have been meaning to try? Now is the time to gain clarity on your expressive arts. Under the full moon, spend real quality time with friends. Surround yourself with people who let you drop any pretenses so you can just be without thought or ego. CANCER June 21 - July 22 Take stock of your home and family situation, Cancer. Just observe where things are so you can make informed decisions that help you navigate this terrain. Under the full moon, get ready for your work life to be front and center. There are times when who you are and what you do become one and the same, and this full moon offers that to you. You have a vocation in this life. Let this full moon help you embody it. LEO July 23 - Aug. 22 It is very easy to fall into a daily pattern that backgrounds the world that we interact with every day. The same old houses and shops and people become routine, and they can disappear in our daily wanderings. This Libra season, however, take a step back to acknowledge the world that is always there. Under Saturday’s full moon suspend some disbelief and be a believer of something bigger than yourself. VIRGO Aug. 23 - Sept. 22 Virgo season has ended. Thank you for being our collective lead for the past month. Now it is time to get your house in order. What do you need to purchase, what do you need to budget, and what do you need to replace? Just tidy up your finances and belongings. Under the

MARATHON WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

Founded by Betty Debnam

HISTORY Thousands of years ago, people such as the Anasazi and Fremont Indians had advanced civilizations. In the late 1700s, Spanish and Mexican explorers were the first Europeans to explore the area. In 1847, Mormon settlers went to the area to seek religious freedom. Mormons are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The United States acquired the Utah area after the Mexican-American War, and it became a state on Jan. 4, 1896. TODAY More than 3.5 million people live in Utah, and it is the 30th-most populated state. It has one of the highest literacy rates in the country. It is estimated that about half of its population are members of the Mormon church. SIGHTS TO SEE Nearly 14 million people visit Utah each year. Among some of the top destinations are

places that feature breathtaking landscapes and views. Zion National Park features giant rock towers like the Great White Throne. More than 5 million tourists take in the views at Zion each year. Arches National Park has 23,000 natural stone arches, more than any other place in the world. An ancient lake makes up the Bonneville Salt Flats, which is about the size of Lake Michigan. When the lake dried up, it left a salt floor from 1 to 6 inches thick and as hard as concrete. Many world records in car racing have been set on the flats. In Nine Mile Canyon, thousands of ancient drawings and carvings cover the canyon walls. Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument was the last place in the continental United States to be mapped. It has a variety of rock formations. ANIMALS Utah has more than 600 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish. Some of those include black bears, Rocky Mountain sheep, raptors and pronghorn antelope. As for insects, the critically endangered Pink Coral Sand Dunes tiger beetle is found in Utah.

FAST FACTS • Because of its hardworking people, Utah is called the Beehive State. • The Blue spruce is the state tree. • The California gull is the state bird. • The sego lily is the state flower. • Bryce Canyon National Park has thousands of brightly colored pink rock spires called hoodoos. • The Great Salt Lake is the biggest salt lake in the Western Hemisphere. In places, it is eight times saltier than the ocean. • Juke Box Cave and Danger Cave were homes to Native Americans from 8,000 to 2,000 years ago. • More than 200 valuable minerals are found in the state. Crude oil, coal, natural gas, uranium, silver, oil shale, copper, gold, magnesium and different salts are important. • Rainbow Bridge, the biggest natural bridge in the world, is 290 feet tall, taller than the U.S. Capitol. • Dinosaur Quarry has one of the world’s densest concentrations of dinosaur bones from the Jurassic period.

RESOURCES ON THE WEB • bit.ly/4vOCZmy AT THE LIBRARY • “Utah: By Kids, For Kids” by Venture Academy

FIND IT ANASAZI, ARCHES, BEETLE, BRIDGE, CANYON, FORMATION, FLATS, FREMONT, HOODOO, MINERALS, MORMON, PARKS, RAINBOW, ROCK, STAIRCASE, UTAH, UTE, ZION.

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

C A N Y O N Z I O N

P S E H C R A U O K

S U T I T J S N A O O P O M F D R L O O A O M T H Q S T F R

E M L A I H Y N O I E A B R R E A C E L D T S Z L P X E M O

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

ECO NOTE The United Nations is urging countries across Europe, North America and Central Asia to redesign roads, railways, ports and airports to withstand increasingly severe climate impacts. A new report by the U.N. Economic Commission for Europe warns that transport systems will face more flooding, extreme heat, sea level rise and thawing Arctic permafrost. Flooding already accounts for nearly threequarters of anticipated annual climate damage to transport. The report also warns that stronger coastal storms could increasingly disrupt ports, airports and global supply chains. Adapted with permission from Earthweek.com

Photo by Adam Sorensen

Utah has a variety of landscapes that often overlap. The Rocky Mountains are in the northeast. Brightly colored rock formations cover about half the state. Deserts and forests each cover about one-third. Utah is named after the Ute tribe, some of the first native people to live in the area. Ute means “people of the mountains.” The Mini Page learns more about the 45th state in the U.S. this week.

Photo by John Fowler

UNIQUE UTAH

Photo by Srini Sundarrajan

MINI FACT: Tourism is the top industry in Utah, with many people wanting to view the scenery.

MARATHON WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

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O R EZ Y R O G E T A C y a D s e d la G s k an l b s e r o h lS a r o C

t h ig N r io n Se

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SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS

THE SCOREBOARD

SEPT. 14 - 20

Team

Sport

Opponent

Date

Result

Coral Shores

Volleyball

Westwood Christian

9/14

W, 3-1

Marathon

Volleyball

Glades Day

9/15

W, 3-0

Coral Shores

Volleyball

Mater Bay Academy

9/16

W, 3-0

Coral Shores

Football

Glades Day

9/18

W, 35-0

Key West

Football

St. Brendan

9/18

W, 58-7

Marathon

Football

John I Leonard

9/18

L, 45-35

Marathon

Volleyball

Brooks DeBartolo

9/18

L, 2-1

Marathon

Volleyball

American Youth Academy

9/18

W, 2-0

Marathon

Volleyball

Morgan

9/18

L, 2-0

Key West

Volleyball

Lyman

9/18

W, 2-1

Key West

Volleyball

Durant

9/18

L, 2-0

Key West

Volleyball

Seﬀner Christian

9/18

L, 2-0

Marathon

Volleyball

Admiral Farragut Academy

9/19

L, 2-1

Marathon

Volleyball

Lennard High School 9/19

L, 2-1

Key West

Volleyball

Delﬁ Academy

9/19

L, 2-0

Key West

Volleyball

Aubrey Rodgers

9/19

L, 2-0

THIS WEEK IN KEYS SPORTS

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Jakub

KRYTINAR

Junior, Key West Golf

SEPT. 24 - OCT. 1

Date

School

Sport

Opponent

Start Time

9/24

Coral Shores

Swimming

@ Cutler Bay

4 p.m.

9/24

Coral Shores

Volleyball

Key West

5:30 p.m.

9/24

All Keys Schools

Cross Country

@ Marathon

4 p.m.

9/24

Marathon

Volleyball

@ Horeb

4 p.m.

9/25

Coral Shores

Football

@ Oxbridge

7 p.m.

9/25

Marathon

Football

@ Babcock Ranch

7 p.m.

9/25

Key West

Football

True North

7 p.m.

He’s a hard worker with a great attitude.”

9/25

Coral Shores

Volleyball

@ Somerset Prep

5:30 p.m.

9/25

Key West

Volleyball

@ FL Christian Tourney

TBA

9/26

Key West

Volleyball

@ FL Christian Tourney

TBA

9/28

All Keys Schools

Golf

@ Marathon

1 p.m.

9/29

Marathon

Volleyball

@ Southridge

4 p.m.

9/29

Coral Shores

Volleyball

Westwood Christian

5:30 p.m.

9/30

All Keys Schools

Golf

@ Ocean Reef

Noon

9/30

Marathon

Volleyball

Posnack

4 p.m.

10/1

Marathon

Volleyball

Coral Shores

5:30 p.m.

birdies

SEPTEMBER 24

ON THE COVER

David Beltran, left, and Dominik Jimenez celebrate a Hurricane TD in Coral Shores’ 35-0 romp over Glades Day on Senior Night. See page 8. DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly

— Joe Henriquez, Key West head golf coach

under par

Key West’s Jakub Krytinar delivered a pair of fantastic performances last week, giving the Conchs the edge they needed to top their Keys competitors and remain unbeaten in county play this season. Krytinar birdied three holes at Marathon on Sept. 14 to finish two under par with a 34. He won by three strokes – exactly the margin his team needed to secure the victory. Two days later, Krytinar proved the performance was no fluke. Back on his home course, he shot a 37 to share medalist honors, demonstrating the consistency and composure of a golfer quickly establishing himself as one of the Keys’ best. Coach Joe Henriquez credits Krytinar’s iron play as the strongest part of his game, and last week, it helped make him nearly unbeatable. For his dominant play and steady focus on the greens, Key West’s Jakub Krytinar is the Keys Weekly Athlete of the Week.

Photo by ROCKY GONET/Keys Weekly

tracy mcdonald SPORTS WRITER

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

KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

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

Publisher / Jason Koler jason@keysweekly.com

Publishing Partner / Britt Myers britt@keysweekly.com

Managing Editor / Alex Rickert alex@keysweekly.com

Copy Editor / Mike Howie mike@keysweekly.com

Business Development

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

Production Manager

Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com

Executive Administrator Charlotte Hruska char@keysweekly.com

Graphic Design

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

MARKET EDITORS

Marathon - Alex Rickert alex@keysweekly.com

Javier Reyes javier@keysweekly.com

Web Master / Travis Cready travis@keysweekly.com

Classiﬁeds / Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com 305.743.0844

Se habla español

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

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

DOWN TO THE LAST STROKE

Key West golf holds off Marathon twice while Krytinar ﬁres a two-under 34

ey West and Marathon battled down to the final few strokes on the links twice last week, with the Conchs edging the Dolphins in a pair of close matches. At Florida Keys Country Club in Marathon on Sept. 14, Key West carded a team score of 158, just three strokes ahead of Marathon’s 161. Coral Shores finished third with a 246. Key West’s Jakub Krytinar turned in the round of the week, firing a two-under-par 34.

Krytinar birdied holes 1, 3 and 8 and finished above par on just one hole. Marathon’s Emmett Merryman and Roco Piscetello tied for second individually, each shooting a one-over 37. Merryman birdied holes 1 and 8, while Piscetello picked one up on No. 6. Key West’s Geo Twyman was next with a 38, followed by teammate Mason Titensor at 39. Marathon’s Jackson Millard shot a 43, teammates Ethan Wohlers and Jase O’Rourke each carded a 44 and Cullen Coleman-Sayer

SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS

finished at 45. Key West’s Dominick Novotny and Marathon’s Jack Dunn tied at 47 to round out the top 10. Two days later, the teams met again, this time in Key West, and the margin separating the Conchs and Dolphins grew even slimmer. Key West won 165-167, with Coral Shores finishing third at 206. Krytinar and Piscetello shared medalist honors with matching rounds of 37. The two turned in identical scorecards, shooting par on every hole except Nos. 4 and 7, where each was one over.

Merryman was just two strokes back at 39, followed by Twyman at 41. Titensor and Coral Shores’ Scout Oliver tied at 42. Novotny, Key West’s LB Bennett and Millard each shot 45, while Marathon’s Wohlers and Coral Shores’ Sawyer Hendrix tied at 46. On the girls’ side, Key West was the only school to field a complete team in both matches. The Lady Conchs shot a 201 in Marathon, led by Mary Alice Davila’s 45. Davila birdied the second hole on her way to the day’s low round. Teammate Lexi Finigan shot a 48, followed by Marathon’s Makenna

Haines at 51, Key West’s Charlize Lopez at 52 and Stella Tutlewski at 56. Marathon’s Elleanna Mowry finished with a 61. Back home two days later, Key West swept the top four spots. Finigan led the field with a 44, followed by Lopez at 52, Davila at 55 and Tutlewski at 65. Haines and Mowry shot 69 and 70, respectively, while Coral Shores’ Valerie Gabriel finished at 75. Keys teams will continue to take turns hosting matches through the regular season, which closes out Oct. 24 with district matches beginning Oct. 26.

The Key West, Marathon and Coral Shores golf teams battle it out on Sept. 14 at the Florida Keys Country Club in Marathon.

1. Berkeley Tripp (KW) 2. Jackson Millard (MHS) 3. Dominick Novotny (KW) 4. Josh Myers (CSHS) 5. Bryce Veath (CSHS) 6. Sayde Fromen (CSHS) 7. Jack Dunn (MHS) 8. Mary Davila (KW) 9. Cullen Coleman-Sayer (MHS) 10. John Myers (CSHS) 11. Mason Titensor (KW)

Photos by SEAN WESTERBAND/Keys Weekly

KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

BURNS MAKES A STATEMENT AT SPANISH RIVER Marathon sophomore takes second as Keys athletes get a preview of postseason course

Top: Key West runners await the start of the Spanish River Invitational on Sept. 18. Center: Marathon runners wait for instructions at Spanish River. Bottom: Marathon’s Tony Bursa gives Ali Wheatley of Coral Shores a fist bump for good luck at the start of the teams’ most recent race. MARK STONECIPHER/FL Runners

eys runners headed north to Boca Raton’s South County Regional Park on Sept. 18 for the 44th annual Spanish River Invitational, a race that gave local athletes more than an opportunity to test themselves against a massive field. The meet also offered a valuable preview of the course they will see again in the postseason. Regional competition will be held there in November, and Marathon’s 1A district race will take place on the same course this season. Marathon’s Lucian Burns made the most of the preview, racing to second place overall in a boys field of nearly 400 runners. Burns crossed the line in 16:18, a time fast enough to earn a Silver Standard Elite Performance under MileSplit’s national performance standards. The Dolphins backed Burns’ runner-up performance with enough depth to place sixth as a team among 37 Class 1A and 2A programs. Allan Taylor was second across the line for Marathon, finishing 34th overall in 17:51. Eighth-grader Anthony Vargas broke into the top 100 with a 19:09, followed by Landon Anderson in 20:00 and Brayden Anderson in 20:49. Key West was led by Sawyer Hill, who also cracked the top 100. Hill placed 87th overall and was first across the line for the Conchs in 18:53. Alejandro Caridad finished in 19:35, followed by Colin Palomino in 20:58 and Everett Ward in 21:21. Noah Taylor was just seconds behind Ward, finishing in 21:24 to complete Key West’s top five. Victor Lopez led the Hurricanes, clocking a 19:25 for Coral Shores. Wyatt Meyers was next in 19:45, followed by Tristan Sanchez in 20:27, Dillon Matthews in 21:35 and Tyler Cope in 23:35. In the girls race, Coral Shores’ Ali Wheatley led all Keys competitors with an impressive 12th-place finish. Wheatley completed the course in 20:12. Aria Booton and Hayden Teal finished nearly side-by-side for the Hurricanes, clocking 25:21.11 and 25:21.37, respectively. Kiri Crockett and Eloise Carter were similarly close at the finish, crossing in 27:01.03 and 27:01.93 to round out Coral Shores’ top five. Marathon placed three runners in the top 100, led by eighth grader Molly Joly, who finished 23rd overall in 20:42. Rebecca Merryman claimed 84th place in 23:38, while Ariella Dworniczak was 96th in 24:09. A pair of sixth graders completed the Dolphins’ scoring five, with June McKnight finishing in 28:02 and Ava D’Ascanio in 31:24. The Lady Conchs placed two runners among the top 100. Violet Jangraw led Key West with a 46th-place finish in 22:03, while Hazel Matarazzo took 70th in 23:10. Emma Bradshaw and Ryah Bushey crossed just fractions of a second apart in 25:16.05 and 25:16.34, respectively, and Svetlana Snipes completed the Conchs’ top five in 28:03. With postseason races looming later this fall, the Spanish River Invitational offered Keys runners an early look at the terrain they will need to master when the stakes are considerably higher later this fall.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS

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KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

FROM SHUTOUTS TO SHOOTO

Hurricanes blank Glades Day, Dolphins battle unbeaten Lancers and Conchs experience a tale of two games

oral Shores celebrated Senior Night in style on Sept. 18, shutting out visiting Glades Day on the football field 35-0 in a game that gave the Hurricanes plenty to celebrate on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Sterling Keefe was nearly perfect through the air, completing five of six passes for 115 yards and three touchdowns. Keefe connected with David Beltran for a 20-yard score and found Alex Radovanovic and John Oughton for two more touchdowns. Oughton added a pair of scores on the ground as the Hurricanes amassed 325 allpurpose yards. Coral Shores steadily built momentum, scoring once in the opening quarter before erupting for four touchdowns in the second. The Hurricanes added their final score early in the third quarter, triggering a running clock and presenting head coach Ed Holly with an unusual challenge. On Senior Night, Holly wanted to make sure every eligible Hurricane had an opportunity to take the field. With the clock suddenly disappearing much faster than anticipated, the coaching staff worked quickly to make it happen. By the final whistle, every eligible player had seen action. Among those making the most of their time on the field were senior Andy Connolly and his younger brother Sean, who delivered a memorable night together on defense. Andy Connolly registered four solo tackles, two assists and a sack, while Sean added four solo stops, two assists and two pressures while forcing a turnover. For Holly, seeing the brothers make an impact together was one of the highlights of the night. “It made my heart feel really good as a dad and a coach to watch Andy and Sean,” he said. The brothers were part of a Hurricane defense that kept the Gators off the scoreboard entirely. Ekon Edwards recorded three solo tackles, four assists and a pressure, while Billy Holly added two solo tackles, an assist and a pressure while forcing a fumble.

2 3

SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS

OUTS 5

6 The 35-0 win sends Coral Shores back on the road this week, where the Hurricanes will face Oxbridge Academy and the ThunderWolves on Sept. 25. MARATHON Marathon welcomed unbeaten John I. Leonard High School to the Middle Keys on Sept. 18, taking on a Lancers program whose enrollment of roughly 3,300 students dwarfs Marathon’s 400. The Dolphins were not intimidated by the disparity. Before the game could develop into an offensive shootout, however, Mother Nature had her say. Halftime was scheduled to feature the dedication and official naming of the Michael H. Puto Stadium, but multiple lightning warnings brought play to a halt with four minutes still remaining in the second quarter. The Dolphins headed to the gym to wait out the delay, and with players, coaches and fans gathered inside, the stadium naming ceremony was held a little earlier than planned. When the lightning finally cleared, the rain arrived. The Dolphins’ offense did not cool off with the weather. Marathon amassed 509 yards of total offense, including 438 on the ground, and put 35 points on the board against the undefeated Lancers. Leading the charge was Jesus Gonzalez, who accounted for 345 yards of offense and all five Dolphin touchdowns. Gonzalez rushed for 280 yards and four scores, then completed three of four passes for another 65 yards. One of those throws found Kase Daughtry for a 38-yard touchdown. With Aiden Lezcano sidelined by injury, Gonzalez’s performance drew high praise from the Marathon coaching staff. “With Aiden injured, Jesus stepped up with a phenomenal effort,” Marathon head coach Sean McDonald said. Israel Gonzalez added 72 rushing yards and contributed on the other side of the ball with three tackles, including two for loss and a sack.

1. A Gator running back loses the ball during a big Billy Holly tackle. 2. Joshua Johnson (33), Cain Hughes (32) and Allens Alexandre (50) make a tackle. 3. The Hurricane band livens the crowd in full pirate regalia. 4. Jesus Gonzalez gains the first down, but loses his helmet. 5. Coral Shores celebrates a big play. 6. David Beltran (2) hurdles a Gator for a big run. 7. John Oughton breaks free as a defender reaches for his shoelaces. 8.Chace Gaertner (7) cuts off a Miami Jackson push. Photos by Doug Finger, Sean Westerband and Rocky Gonet

10 Much of Marathon’s success on the ground came behind junior Garrett Ruddy, who helped clear the way for Gonzalez and the Dolphin rushing attack. Ruddy made his presence felt defensively as well, bringing down a Lancer behind the line of scrimmage. Elliott Greenmaki and Jeremy Thiboutot led Marathon with seven tackles apiece. Alnier Mendez added six, while Maverick McDonald registered five. But in a game where both offenses found ways to score, John I. Leonard ultimately managed just enough to stay in front. The Lancers escaped the just-renamed stadium with a 45-35 victory, handing Marathon the loss despite the Dolphins’ blistering offensive performance. “Everyone’s effort was there; we just need to consistently do our jobs, play in and play out,” McDonald said. “We’re getting better. This team will continue to work hard and will continue to improve.” Marathon hits the road this week, traveling to Punta Gorda to take on the Babcock Trailblazers. KEY WEST Key West experienced a tale of two games last week, playing a pair of matchups just days apart with vastly different results. A Sept. 14 district contest against the Jackson Generals was delayed in the opening minutes by weather, and the teams were unable to retake the field at Miami’s Traz Powell Stadium that night. Some creative scheduling by both schools shifted the game to Key West, giving the Conchs an unexpected home-field advantage for the unusual Monday night matchup. An early defensive stop on Jackson’s opening possession gave every indication the Conchs were ready to take advantage of the change in venue. But a turnover on Key West’s first offensive series halted the momentum, and four more giveaways over the course of the game ultimately proved too much to overcome. The teams went into halftime scoreless before both found the end zone in the third quarter. Key West’s touchdown came on a Jayson Michel pass to Javier Perez, and a missed Jackson kick left the Conchs holding a 7-6 advantage deep into the fourth. Jackson struck again in the game’s final minute, pulling ahead 12-7 after another missed kick. Key West responded with a strong drive downfield, giving the Conchs one final opportunity to reclaim the lead. But with seconds remaining, an interception became Key West’s fifth turnover of the night and ended the comeback bid. With just three days to prepare for their next contest, the Conchs regrouped, and head coach Johnny Hughes was relieved to see a very different version of his team on Sept. 18 at St. Brendan. “Two different teams showed up,” Hughes said of his own roster. This time, nearly everything went Key West’s way. The Conchs had little trouble finding the end zone against the Sabres, with seven different players contributing points in a 58-7 rout. Roman Van Loon scored twice on the ground and added a touchdown pass to Perez, while Nico Talpasz hauled in a Michel pass for another score. Luke Hughes, Chace Gaertner, Jaylyn Annylus and Matt Oviedo also found the end zone as Key West turned the short week into its most dominant offensive showing of the season. The performance also showcased the powerful front the Conchs have flashed throughout the season, bolstered by the return of senior Miami commit Josh Johnson to the defensive line. Johnson spent the early portion of the season working his way back to full contact following last year’s knee injury. After already making an impact on the offensive line, the coaching staff felt he was ready to resume two-way duties against the Sabres. “It was one of those nights where everything went right,” Hughes said. “On Monday it was the opposite.” Next up for Key West is a Sept. 25 home matchup against True North, a formidable opponent with Division I commits of its own on a 59-player roster. The game represents the Conchs’ final test before entering a stretch of three consecutive district matchups.

KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

9. Mel Val breaks away for a long run. 10. Joshua Johnson (33) and Jakobe Williamson (44) stop a Jackson General’s push. 11. Joshua Johnson celebrates a sack. 12. Roman Van Loon (13) is run into the sideline. 13. Jesus Gonzalez carries the opposing team on his back as he fights for extra yards. 14. Marathon’s offensive unit makes a big hole for Jesus Gonzalez.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS

Hurricane sophomores Miracle Woods, left, and Alejandra Aguilar. MICHELE THIERY/Contributed

ACES WILD

Hurricanes stay perfect in district play as Marathon, Key West tackle 128-team Florida Gem brackets

oral Shores volleyball improved to 15-3 and remained unbeaten in district play after adding a pair of wins last week. The Hurricanes blew into Miami on Sept. 14 to take on Westwood Christian and returned home with a 3-1 victory. Sophomore Abby Leigh turned in an all-around performance with six aces, 30 assists, four kills, two blocks and 11 digs. Coralyn Frimpter put down 17 kills and added 16 digs, an assist and a block, while Celene Walker hammered home 18 kills to go with 11 digs. In all, the ’Canes recorded 50 kills against the Warriors in an explosive offensive showing. Two days later, Coral Shores hosted Mater Bay Academy and dispatched the Rays in straight sets. This time, the theme was “aces wild,” with 23 Hurricane serves going untouched. Walker accounted for seven of those aces and added 13 kills and four digs. Leigh delivered five aces, four kills, seven digs and 28 assists, while Alex Burson registered four aces, a kill, two assists and seven digs. Jillian Thiery and Eliyana McLeod were perfect from the service line. Coach Sam Ovalle credited Leigh for her leader-

ship on the court and had plenty of praise for Walker and Burson as the Hurricanes continue their strong run. “Celene has been putting in the work and giving tremendous effort on the court,” Ovalle said. “She continues to push herself, compete and do whatever she can to help her teammates.” Burson’s effort and attitude have also helped guide the team this season. “Alex has also been working extremely hard and continues to show commitment to the team,” Ovalle said. “She brings hustle and a great attitude.” Marathon put plenty of miles on the school vans last week, beginning with a Sept. 15 trip to Glades Day, where the Dolphins swept the Gators in straight sets. The Fins were soon on the road again, this time bound for Wesley Chapel and the Florida Gem Tournament, billed as the largest high school volleyball tournament in the nation. The two-day event featured 128 teams, including 80 varsity squads. Key West also made the trip, but with the teams competing in separate brackets, the two Keys programs did not face one another.

Marathon competed in the Varsity Patriot Division, where the Dolphins picked up a 2-0 win over American Youth Academy on Sept. 18. The Fins fell to Morgan High 2-0 and battled Brooks DeBartolo to three sets before losing 2-1. Marathon played another pair of three-set matches the following day, falling 2-1 to both Admiral Farragut Academy and Lennard. Key West competed in the Varsity Club Division and opened tournament play with a three-set victory over Lyman High School, winning 2-1. The Lady Conchs then fell 2-0 to Seffner Christian and Durant on Sept. 18 before closing out the tournament the following day with 2-0 losses to Delphi Academy and Aubrey Rogers. Florida high school volleyball’s regular season enters its final weeks, with district tournament action beginning Oct. 12. Marathon will compete in the Class 1A Rural bracket, while Key West and Coral Shores will battle in Class 3A District 16, where the Hurricanes currently hold the district’s top ranking.

KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES • LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of BIG CONCH POOLS located at 30410 SEA GRAPE TERRACE, SUITE 2, BIG PINE KEY, FL 33043 intends to register said name with the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida. By: Big Conch Pools, LLC Publish: September 24, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of MADFISH DESIGN GROUP located at 33 BOUNDARY LANE, KEY WEST, FL 33040 intends to register said name with the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida. By: Madfish Global Enterprises LLC

305.743.0844

LEGAL NOTICES

Publish: September 24, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

Publish: September 24 and October 1, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE U-HAUL COMPANY OF MIAMI Notice is hereby given that on October 5th, 2026, 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 Behrendt, Jessica 1755 McClain, Don 1655 Murgas, Alex 1580

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at 3:00 P.M., the Monroe County Purchasing Office will receive and open sealed responses for the following: Professional Surveying Continuing Services Monroe County, Florida Pursuant to F.S. § 50.0211(3) (a), all published competitive solicitation notices can be viewed at: www.floridapublicnotices. com, a searchable Statewide repository for all published legal notices. Requirements for submission and the selection criteria may be requested from the County’s electronic bidding platform at https://monroecountyfl.bonfirehub.com OR www.

monroecounty-fl.gov/BonfireBids. The Public Record is available upon request. Monroe County Purchasing Department receives bids via the Bonfire electronic bidding platform. Please do not email, mail or attempt to deliver in person any sealed bids. Emailed/ mailed/physically delivered bids/ proposals/responses WILL NOT be accepted. |The Monroe County Purchasing Department hereby directs that bids be submitted via the Bonfire electronic bidding platform at https://monroecounty-fl. bonfirehub.com, no later than 3:00P.M. on October 27, 2026. There is no cost to the bidder to use the Bonfire platform. Please do not submit your confidential financial information as part of your proposal. There are separate uploads for each set of documents, including confidential financial information. All proposals will be made public on the platform after an intended decision or 30 days, whichever is earlier, unless the bids/proposals are rejected in accordance with F.S. 119.071. If your proposal document includes financial information, that information will not be considered confidential and will be available and viewable to the public in accordance with public records law. The bid opening for this solicitation will be held virtually, via the internet, at 3:00 P.M., on Tuesday, October 27, 2026. You may call in by phone or internet using the following: Join Zoom Meeting https://mcbocc.zoom. us/j/4509326156 Meeting ID: 4509326156 One tap mobile: +16465189805,,4509326156# US (New York) +16699006833,,4509326156# US (San Jose) Dial by your location: +1 646 518 9805 US (New York) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) Publish: September 24, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

SUMMONS IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS DISTRICT OF ST. CROIX CASE NUMBER: CV-2025-SX-196 ACTION: DEBT AND FORECLOSURE Association of St. C Condominium Owners Plaintiff vs Joseph Estes, Heather Estes and Vagabond Holdings, LLC Defendant To: Joe Estes Address: 4200 Estate St. John Unit A-201 St C Condominium St. Croix Within the time limited by law (see note below) you are hereby required to appear before this Court and answer to a complaint filed against you in this action. In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment by default will be taken against you as demanded in the complaint. Witness my hand and the seal of this Court this October 9, 2025. Tamara Charles Clerk of the Court By: Kimberly Rolle Tonya C. Saffir, Esq. (Attorney for Plaintiff) NOTE: The defendant, if served personally, is required to file his answer or other defense with the Clerk of the Court, and to serve a copy thereof upon the plaintiff’s attorney within twenty-one (21) days after the service of this summons, excluding the date of the service. The defendant, if served by publication or by personal service outside of the jurisdiction, is required to file his answer or other defense with the Clerk of the Court, and to serve a copy thereof upon the attorney for the plaintiff within thirty (30) days after the completion of the period of publication or personal service outside of the jurisdiction. Publish: September 3, 10, 17 & 24, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

SUMMONS IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS DISTRICT OF ST. CROIX CASE NUMBER: CV-2025-SX-196 ACTION: DEBT AND FORECLOSURE Association of St. C Condominium Owners Plaintiff vs Joseph Estes, Heather Estes and Vagabond Holdings, LLC Defendant To: Vagabond Holdings, LLC Address: 4200 Estate St. John Unit A-201 St C Condominium St. Croix Within the time limited by law (see note below) you are hereby required to appear before this Court and answer to a complaint filed against you in this action. In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment by default will be taken against you as demanded in the complaint. Witness my hand and the seal of this Court this October 9, 2025. Tamara Charles Clerk of the Court By: Kimberly Rolle Tonya C. Saffir, Esq. (Attorney for Plaintiff) NOTE: The defendant, if served personally, is required to file his answer or other defense with the Clerk of the Court, and to serve a copy thereof upon the plaintiff’s attorney within twenty-one (21) days after the service of this summons, excluding the date of the service. The defendant, if served by publication or by personal service outside of the jurisdiction, is required to file his answer or other defense with the Clerk of the Court, and to serve a copy thereof upon the attorney for the plaintiff within thirty (30) days after the completion of the period of publication or personal service outside of the jurisdiction. Publish: September 3, 10, 17 & 24, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

SUMMONS IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS DISTRICT OF ST. CROIX CASE NUMBER: CV-2025-SX-196 ACTION: DEBT AND FORECLOSURE Association of St. C Condominium Owners Plaintiff vs Joseph Estes, Heather Estes and Vagabond Holdings, LLC Defendant To: Heather Estes Address: 4200 Estate St. John Unit A-201 St C Condominium St. Croix Within the time limited by law (see note below) you are hereby required to appear before this Court and answer to a complaint filed against you in this action. In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment by default will be taken against you as demanded in the complaint. Witness my hand and the seal of this Court this October 9, 2025. Tamara Charles Clerk of the Court By: Kimberly Rolle Tonya C. Saffir, Esq. (Attorney for Plaintiff) NOTE: The defendant, if served personally, is required to file his answer or other defense with the Clerk of the Court, and to serve a copy thereof upon the plaintiff’s attorney within twenty-one (21) days after the service of this summons, excluding the date of the service. The defendant, if served by publication or by personal service outside of the jurisdiction, is required to file his answer or other defense with the Clerk of the Court, and to serve a copy thereof upon the attorney for the plaintiff within thirty (30) days after the completion of the period of publication or personal service outside of the jurisdiction. Publish: September 3, 10, 17 & 24, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

INVITATION TO BID: ITB 2026-03 The City of Key Colony Beach cordially invites interested contractors to complete and submit sealed bids by November 2nd, 2026, no later than 2:00 PM, for the following project.

WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT TANKS AND PIPING COATING ITB 2026-03 THE PROJECT CONSISTS OF: Clean, prepare and coat the four (4) tanks (two (2) steel and two (2) concrete) with all associated exposed piping at the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant located at 600 8th Street, Key Colony Beach, Florida, all in accordance with the requirements incorporated herein, and to be submitted by November 2, 2026, at 2:00 a.m. All bids must be submitted in a sealed envelope to City Administrator John Bartus at 600 W. Ocean, Key Colony Beach, Florida 33051 (mailing address PO Box 510141, Key Colony Beach, FL 33051), no later than November 2, 2026, at 2:00 PM, clearly marked “Sealed Bid for the City of Key Colony Beach ITB 2026-03” and including the name of your firm. Each bid must include one original, five (5) copies, and 1 thumb drive with an electronic copy. The bid manual, requirements, and specifications are available on DemandStar/Open Bids at www.Demandstar.com. All questions regarding the bid process should be directed in writing to City Administrator John Bartus at cityadministrator@keycolonybeach.net

CALENDAR OF EVENTS ITB 2026-03 DATE

TIME (ET)

Action

Sept. 25, 2026

10:00 a.m.

Release Solicitation

Oct. 9, 2026

2:00 p.m.

Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting & Site Visit (600 8th Street, Key Colony Beach, Florida 33051)

Oct. 16, 2026

4:00 p.m.

Last day for submission of written questions to the City

Oct. 23, 2026

4:00 p.m.

Last day for the City to post answers to questions

Nov. 2, 2026

2:00 p.m.

Bid Due & Opening*

Nov. 9, 2026

10:00 a.m.

Evaluation Committee Meeting** Recommendation to the Utility Board

Nov. 17, 2026

10:00 a.m.

Utility Board Meeting** Recommendation to Award

Nov. 19, 2026

10:00 a.m.

City Commission Meeting – Final Award**

*The bid opening is open to the public and will be held at City Hall (Trailer) at 600 W. Ocean Drive, Key Colony Beach, Florida 33051. ** All meetings are open to the public and will be held at the temporary meeting place for the City of Key Colony Beach, at the Key Colony Inn, Back Patio, 700 W. Ocean Drive, Key Colony Beach, Florida, 33051

Publish: September 24, 2026. The Weekly Newspapers

John D. Verghese, M.D.

Keys Plastic Surgery & Dermatology 2901 Overseas Highway, Suite # 2 Marathon, Florida 33050 Dr. John D. Verghese will be retiring and closing his practice, Keys Plastic Surgery & Dermatology, located at 2901 Overseas Highway, Suite # 2, Marathon, Florida 33050, effective October 12th, 2026. Please call the office at 305-289-1975 with any questions. Patient’s medical records will remain with Dr. John D. Verghese. Patients who wish to receive their medical records may contact the office at 305-289-1975. Publish: September 10, 17 & 24 and October 1, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 26-CP-458-K DIVISION: PROBATE IN RE: ESTATE OF CELESTE M. SCHETTIG Deceased. NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the Estate of CELESTE M. SCHETTIG, deceased, whose date of death was August 6, 2026, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, Florida 33040. The names and addresses of the Co-Personal Representatives and the Co-Personal Representatives’ attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent's death by the decedent or the decedent's surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216-732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes. The written demand must

SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES • LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

be filed with the clerk. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is: September 24, 2026. LISA SPELLMAN, Petitioner JOHN P. SEILER, ESQUIRE Attorney for Petitioner, Lisa Spellman Florida Bar Number: 776343 Seiler Sautter Zaden Rimes & Wahlbrink 2850 North Andrews Avenue Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33311 Telephone: (954) 568-7000 E-Mail: jseiler@sszrlaw.com Alternate E-Mail: lsasser@ sszrlaw.com RAYMOND J. POWERS, Petitioner JODY LESLIE, ESQUIRE Attorney for Petitioner, Raymond J. Powers Florida Bar Number: 773174 LESLIE & McLAUGHLIN, LLP 6750 North Andrews Avenue Suite 200-2038 Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309 Telephone: (954) 779-1772 E-Mail: service@leslie-law.com Alternate E-Mail: lmservice.2400@gmail.com Publish: September 24 and October 1, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is: September 24, 2026. Personal Representative: MICHAEL ALLEN BRESLIN 6667 Stadler Road Monroe, Michigan 48162 Attorney for Personal Representative: JOHN FERRARI, JR. Attorney Florida Bar No. 111132 Ferrari Elder Law 7100 S. Beneva Road Sarasota, Florida 34238 Telephone: (941) 960-1676 Fax: (941) 296-8656 E-mail: johnf@ferrarielderlaw. com Secondary E-mail: pollyb@ ferrarielderlaw.com Publish: September 24 and October 1, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

Secondary E-mail: pollyb@ ferrarielderlaw.com Publish: September 24 and October 1, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 26-CP-486-K IN RE: ESTATE OF ROBERT LOUIS BRESLIN Deceased. NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of ROBERT LOUIS BRESLIN, deceased, whose date of death was March 31, 2026, is pending in the Circuit Court for MONROE County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent's death by the decedent or the decedent's surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216-732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes. The written demand must be filed with the clerk. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 26-CP-487-K IN RE: ESTATE OF JEAN M. MCGROARTY Deceased. NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of JEAN M. MCGROARTY, deceased, whose date of death was March 25, 2026, is pending in the Circuit Court for MONROE County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent's death by the decedent or the decedent's surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216-732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes. The written demand must be filed with the clerk. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is: September 24, 2026. Personal Representative: CHERYL ANN AJAX 1930 Glenoak Drive Corpus Christi, Texas 78418 Attorney for Personal Representative: JOHN FERRARI, JR. Attorney Florida Bar No. 111132 Ferrari Elder Law 7100 S. Beneva Road Sarasota, Florida 34238 Telephone: (941) 960-1676 Fax: (941) 296-8656 E-mail: johnf@ferrarielderlaw. com

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION CASE NO.: 26-CP-000406-K DIVISION: PROBATE IN RE: ESTATE OF PHILIP TODD GORE, JR. Deceased. NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the Estate of Philip Todd Gore, Jr., deceased, whose date of death was May 15, 2026, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent's death by the decedent or the decedent's surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216-732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes. The written demand must be filed with the clerk. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is September 17, 2026. Personal Representative: Maryland Reier 5412 Patterson Rd. PO Box 9692 Baldwin, MD 21013 Attorney for Personal Representative: Alexander Gil, Esq. Florida Bar Number: 111507 Alexander Gil, PLLC 2775 Sunny Isles Blvd., Suite 118 North Miami Beach, FL 33160 Telephone: (954) 309-8800 Fax: (954) 676-1099 E-Mail: agil@agilpllc.com Secondary E-Mail: apruitt@ agilpllc.com Publish: September 17 & 24, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 26-DR-1043-K JOSEPH COLABELLA, JR., Petitioner, and KYLIE G. HINE,

305.743.0844

LEGAL NOTICES

EMPLOYMENT

Respondent. NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE (NO CHILD OR FINANCIAL SUPPORT) TO: KYLIE B. HINE RESPONDENT’S LAST KNOWN ADDRESS: 7505 SE 28TH STREET, APT. 302, MERCER ISLAND, WA 98040 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 JOSEPH COLABELLA, JR, whose address is 1360 6TH STREET, REAR, KEY WEST, FL 33040 on or before OCTOBER 10, 2026, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 500 WHITEHEAD STREET, KEY WEST, FL 33040 before service on Petitioner or immediately thereafter. If you fail to do so, a default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the petition. The action is asking the court to decide how the following real or personal property should be divided: NONE Copies of all court documents in this case, including orders, are available at the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office. You may review these documents upon request. You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office notified of your current address. (You may file Designation of Current Mailing and E-Mail Address, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.915.) Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed or e-mailed to the address(es) on record at the clerk’s office. WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, requires certain automatic disclosure of documents and information. Failure to comply can result in sanctions, including dismissal or striking of pleadings. Dated: September 10, 2026 Kevin Madok, CPA, Clerk Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Destiny Johnson Deputy Clerk Publish: September 17 & 24 and October 1 & 8, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

dismissal or striking of pleadings. Dated: September 8, 2026 KEVFIN MADOK, CPA, Clerk CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT Monroe County, Florida By: Leslie Turner Deputy Clerk Publish: September 10, 17 & 24 and October 1, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

Marathon Yacht Club is hiring a part-time Bartender and Server. Flexible evening shifts 3:30-9:00 at a private club. Must provide photo ID, social security card or passport, and checking account. Email office@ marathonyachtclub.com or call 305-743-6739 to schedule an interview.

Marathon Yacht Club is hiring a Line Cook. 20-30 hours a week at a private club, primarily dinner shifts, Tuesday-Saturday. $24/hr or negotiable based on experience. Must provide photo ID, social security card, and checking account. Email office@ marathonyachtclub.com or call 305-743-6739 to schedule an interview. HIRED IN LESS THAN ONE MONTH!!!

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA FAMILY DIVISION CASE NO.: 2026-DR-000345-M IN RE: THE MARRIAGE OF OMAR FLORES RIVES, Petitioner/Husband, and MABEL ARZUAGA PEREZ, Respondent/Wife. NOTICE OF ACTION TO: Mabel Arzuaga Perez Respondent/Wife 7151 Overseas Hwy, Apt. 301 Marathon, FL 33050 YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action has been filed against you and that you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on the petitioner’s attorney, ADA M. BARRETO, P.A., whose address is 782 N.W. 42ND Avenue, Suite 440, Miami, Florida 33126, on or before October 10, 2026, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at the Family Division, 3117 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050, before service on Petitioner’s attorney or immediately thereafter. If you fail to do so, a default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the petition. 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 a Notice of Current Address, Florida Family Law Form 12.915.) Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed to the address 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

SUDOKU SOLUTION

S.S. Wreck on Grassy Key – looking for management, line cooks, fryers and prep. Salary includes 401k match up to 6% and negotiable based on experience. Please call Nicole at 305-433-0515 AUTOS WANTED AUTOS ALL YEARS! Junk or Used Cars, Vans, Trucks. Runs or Not.$CASH 305-332-0483 AUTOS FOR SALE PLACE YOUR AUTO FOR SALE AD HERE! $25/week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305-743-0844 or Email Anneke@keysweekly.com BOAT SLIP/RACK FOR RENT

Boat Slip &/or Rack For Rent in Marathon at The Boat House, Vaca Key. Call Tony 561-346-6400 PLACE YOUR BOAT SLIP FOR RENT AD HERE! $25/ week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305-743-0844 or Email Anneke@ keysweekly.com COMMERCIAL SPACE FOR RENT

PRIME COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE ON US 1 available for rent in Marathon. 3,000 SF and 2,000 SF avail. Let's make a deal! Call or text Tony at 860-428-1506 Email: R2tpinc@gmail.com PLACE YOUR COMMERCIAL SPACE AVAILABLE FOR RENT AD HERE! $25/week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305-7430 8 4 4 or Email Anneke@ keysweekly.com EMPLOYMENT HIRING: Office Administrator in Marathon. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), experience with QuickBooks or other accounting software preferred and must have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. Full time – Mon-Fri. Pay TBD - based on skill. E m a i l : Natalie@cecflk.com

Experienced FT Line Cook needed at the Cabana Club, an ocean front private swim club. 10AM - 5PM, Good Pay. Small friendly staff. Apply in person at 425 E. Ocean Dr. Key Colony Beach or call 404-2193359 and ask for Dave Serve/Bartend on the ocean! The Cabana Club, an ocean front private swim club is seeking a customer service-oriented Server/Bartender. Serve 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. The Housing Authority of the City of Key West now hiring the following positions: Full-time Carpenter, Journeyman Electrician, Grounds Caretaker. To apply, please contact Human Resources at: greenel@kwha.org or 305-296-5621 ext. 225. Applications are available at the Administrative Office located at 1400 Kennedy Dr., Key West, FL 33040 or online at www.kwha.org - EOE & Drug Free Work Place. This opportunity is covered under Section 3 of the HUD Act of 1968. THE KEYS WEEKLY MEDIA GROUP has an immediate opening for a Sales & Marketing professional in the Middle Keys. Salary, benefits, commission and the opportunity to make a difference in our community and work alongside an amazing team. Send a confidential resume to jobs@keysweek ly.com

Specialty Hardware of Marathon - Looking for full time or part time person. Hardware knowledge an absolute must. Must have knowledge of hardware, plumbing and electrical. Apply in person at 10730 Overseas Hwy. Marathon 1-305-743-3382 HIRED!!! PLACE YOUR EMPLOYMENT AD HERE. $25/week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305-743-0844 or Email Anneke@ keysweekly.com HOUSING FOR RENT

ANNUAL RENTAL - Key Largo - 3BR/2BA new kitchen, Spacious Doublewide modular on canal w/40’ dock, direct ocean access. Very nice community $3500/month 7 8 6 - 2 5 8 - 3 1 2 7 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 months Jan - April. 727-278-1105 3 BR/2 BA home for rent in Key Colony Beach. 75' premium dock. $3,800/month + utilities. F/L/S 786-229-0228 2 BR available in Marathon for long term rental. On the water, gated property, $2,200/ month includes limited electricity. First/Security. Small pets ok for separate fee. Call 305-610-8002 Studio Rental in Marathon, long-term, partially furnished, price includes internet, water, electric gas, garbage, pest, and lawn @ $1,800/ mo + utilities. Call or text 305-433-0515 RENTED!!! PLACE YOUR HOUSING FOR RENT AD HERE! $25/ week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305-743-0844 or Email Anneke @keysweekly.com HOUSING WANTED TO RENT

KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES • 305.743.0844 • CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES • 305.743.0844 HOUSING WANTED TO RENT HOUSING WANTED TO RENT. Long-term rental at Cobia Point, Marathon. Will pay top dollar. Current Daytona Beach resident. Former Keys resident who wants to return. Please call Jan Burch 251-978-6267 MISC. FOR SALE Cargo Container Storage Units For Sale in Marathon. 20'-50' long, various pricing. Call 305-610-8002 Scooter For Sale excellent condition, 7,541 miles, all service records, individually owned. $400 OBO. Located in Key West. Call Denny 305-294-5568 SOLD IN LESS THAN 2 WEEKS!!! PLACE YOUR MISC. FOR SALE AD HERE! $25/week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305-743-0844 or Email A n n e k e @ keysweekly.com WANTED TO BUY PRIVATE COLLECTOR WANTS Rolex, Dive Watches and Pilot Watches. Old Model Military Clocks & Watches. Call 305-743-4578

WANTED TO BUY

YARD SALES

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

commercial essentials like TVs, minifridge, retail shelving, printer, office chair, etc. We even have a 3-tier section of bleachers! Lots of the items for sale can be repurposed beyond their intended use (hello DIY-ers) and it’s also a chance to get a jump on your New Year’s Resolutions and buy this gently-used, high-end equipment. To see the full sale, visit estatesales.net. (Turn off US1 just west of Coco Plum Drive; plenty of parking.)

PLACE YOUR COLLECTIBLES AD HERE! $25/week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305-743-0844 or Email Anneke@ keysweekly.com YARD SALES SARA’S ESTATE SALE liquidation of a COMMERCIAL GYM in Marathon located at 13371 Overseas Hwy (near Coco Plum Dr.), Sat & Sun, Sept. 26-27, 9A-1P. This sale isn’t just for boxers – though we’ve got them covered – plenty of high-end equipment for regular gyms and home gyms. We have barbells, rubber hex dumbbells, medicine balls, battle rope, etc. We have a 6-segment monkey bar/training rig, floor-bolted heavy bag stands, heavy bags, specialty bags and an entire boxing ring (canvas, ropes, corner posts, post pads, timer/round clock). Tons of rubber puzzle floor mats, tumbling mats and various generic

PLACE YOUR YARD SALE AD HERE! $25/ week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305-7430844 or Email Anneke@ keysweekly.com

NOW HIRING IN ISLAMORADA

BOAT RENTAL STAFF

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

WE’RE HIRING

PIZZA MAKERS, PREP & CASHIERS D’Asign Source is seeking the following professionals. Overtime and benefits are available. Pool & Landscape Technician Experienced technician needed for pool plumbing, electrical, irrigation, lighting and outdoor audio. Must have strong troubleshooting skills and experience with hand/power tools. Reliable, hardworking and able to perform physical outdoor work. Competitive pay & benefits. Finish Carpenter Experienced finish carpenter needed for high end residential work. Must have own tools and reliable transportation. Attention to detail and dependable work ethic required. Interior and Exterior work. Competitive pay and benefits. Working Project Construction Foreman Competitive pay and benefits. For complete details and to apply, please visit DAsignSource.com/careers

NOW HIRING! wants you to join their team!

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

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

NOW HIRING IN ISLAMORADA

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

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

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

NEW KEY LARGO LOCATION – NOW OPEN: PIZZA MAKERS* PREP & DAYTIME CASHIERS MARATHON: PIZZA MAKERS* *Pizza maker experience is a must. For all positions, applicant must be self-motivated, quick learner and team player. Salary includes 401k match up to 6% and negotiable based on experience. Please call Nicole at 305-433-0515 or email nicole@themoongroupfl.com

The Bourbon Street Pub Complex is now accepnng applicanons for: • Take Out Kitchen - Team Members Experience Required • Security

• Barback

Full and Part-Time Posiions Available

Apply in-person at 724 Duval Street: Pizza Joe’s or New Orleans House Front Desk. English Speaking required with valid idennﬁcanon. Call 305-293-9800 for more informaaon Keys Energy Services, in Key West, Florida, is accepting applications for the following position in its Transmission & Distribution Department:

SUBSTATION ELECTRICIAN

(High Voltage Substation Electrical Technician) Starting pay rate for this position, depending on qualifications and experience: $48.47/hr. - $54.28/hr. For more information, including job duties and required qualifications, and to apply for the job, please visit their website at www.KeysEnergy.com. KEYS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. KEYS promotes a Drug-Free Workplace. Certain service members, veterans, the spouses and family members of service members and veterans, receive preference and priority in employment, and are encouraged to apply for positions being filled.

NOW HIRING 81024 AIR CONDITIONING & REFRIGERATION MECHANIC Upper Keys, reporting in Tavernier. Full-time job with benefits, vacation time and holidays.

Apply at keysschools.com or call 305-293-1400 ext. 53398

SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS

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

THE GUIDANCE/CARE CENTER, Inc.

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

OPENINGS AVAILABLE

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

KEY WEST

MIAMI CANCER INSTITUTE KEY WEST

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

MARATHON Maintenance Specialist (FT) Driver (CDL NOT required) (FT, PT) Registered Nurse (PT) Behavioral Health Therapist (Adult, PT) *Support Worker (Assisted Living) (FT, PT) *Behavioral Health Technicians (FT, PT) *No experience required for this position. Will train. A caring heart & helpful hands necessary. Background and drug screen req. EEOC/DFWP COMPETITIVE PAY! EXCEPTIONAL BENEFITS!!! Apply at guidancecarecenter.org - Get Involved/ Join our team/Job Opportunities/location/zip

THE GUIDANCE/CARE CENTER, INC. “Uplifting the human spirit since 1973”

IS HIRING for The Heron Assisted Living Facility! Interested in gaining health care experience in a comfortable canal front home? Like giving care & assisting with life skills for 16 residents? Well-rounded team player able to handle a variety of responsibilities? Able to make meals, do paperwork, and hold a clean three yr. driver’s license? Available for PT or FT shifts 8am-4pm, 2pm-10pm Monday-Sunday? If so, you would be a great SUPPORT WORKER! No experience required for this position, we will train. A caring heart and helpful hands are necessary.

We offer flexibility; a minimum 16 hrs. & shift differentials! Background and drug screen req. EEOC/DFWP COMPETITIVE PAY! EXCEPTIONAL BENEFITS!!! Apply at guidancecarecenter.org - Get Involved/ Join our team/Job Opportunities/location/zip

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

Key West Assistant Maintenance Manager

PHYSICIAN PRACTICE OPENINGS

- Medical Assistant, Ortho-Tavernier, $5k Bonus - Patient Access Associate, Multispecialty Marathon, $5k Bonus - Radiology Technologist, Ortho Surgical, Key West, $25k Bonus

KEY LARGO

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

- Pool Radiation Therapist

TAVERNIER MARINERS HOSPITAL

- Chaplain, Chaplaincy Spiritual Care, Per Diem - Director of Nursing Services, Intensive Care Unit/Oncology, $20k Bonus - Food Service Worker, Dietary, $5k Bonus - MC Multi-Modality Imaging Tech, MRI, $25k Bonus - Medical Technologist, Per Diem - Multi-Modality Imaging Tech, Echocardiography, Per Diem & FT - Multi-Modality Imaging Tech, (CT & X Ray), $25k Bonus - Multi-Modality Imaging Tech 2, (Echo & Vascular w/Ultrasound Preferred), $25k Bonus - Pharmacy Technician, Mariners Hospital, $7k Bonus - Physical Therapist, Outpatient, $25k Bonus - Pool Group Exercise Instructor, Per Diem - Pool Registered Nurse, Emergency Department, Per Diem - Registered Nurse, ICU, $25k Bonus - Registered Nurse, Surgery, $15k Bonus - Registered Respiratory Therapist 2, $25k Bonus - Supervisor Chef, Dietary

MARATHON FISHERMEN’S COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

- Cook, Dietary, FT - Diet Concierge, Full Time - ED Team Coordinator, PT & FT - Lead First Cook, Dietary, $5k Bonus - MC Multi-Modality Imaging Tech, CT & X Ray, $25k Bonus - MC Multi-Modality Imaging Tech, CT & X Ray, Radiology, $25k Bonus - Manager Food Services, Dietary - Manager Plant Operations, Facility Operations - Medical Assistant, Urology, $5k Bonus - Medical Technologist 2, $20k Bonus - Multi-Modality Imaging Tech 1, (CT & X Ray), Radiology, $25k Bonus - Patient Care/Nursing House Supervisor (MH/FCH), $20k Bonus - Patient Financial Associate, $10k Bonus - Patient Scheduler, Surgery, FT - Pool Physical Therapist, Per Diem - Registered Nurse, Emergency Department, Per Diem - Registered Respiratory Therapist, $25k Bonus - Registered Respiratory Therapist, PT, $12,500 Bonus - Security Officer, FT, 7A-7:30P - Sr Phlebotomist, $10k Bonus All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. *Sign-on bonuses are available only for select full-time positions based on candidate experience.

APPLY AND LEARN MORE careers.baptisthealth.net

Stock Island

Assistant Branch Operations Manager

Islamorada

Customer Service Representative Assistant Branch Operations Manager

Apply Online @ KeysBank.com/Careers

Member FDIC Equal Housing Lender

EOE-M/F/V/D

CONCRETE CONCRETE MADE TO LAST

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

GET IN TOUCH

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

Key West

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

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