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Members of
New Jersey Democratic Sen. Cory Booker held the Senate floor for 25 hours to provide a speech to contest President Donald Trump’s agenda. Booker broke a record set 68 years ago by Sen. Strom Thurmond of South Carolina. The speech began the evening of March 31 and ending the evening of April 1.
Coral practitioners grow and maintain corals in CRF’s coral nursery in Tavernier. TIFFANY DUONG/Keys Weekly
GRAND JURY INDICTS MAN FOR FIRST-DEGREE MURDER FOR ALLEGED ROLE IN OVERDOSE DEATH
Agrand jury indicted a Tavernier man on a firstdegree murder charge for his alleged role in the overdose death of Key Largo resident Adam Halenza last year.
Monroe County State Attorney Dennis Ward said Monday that a Monroe County grand jury returned an indictment on March 27 charging Michael Patrick Stevens, 41, with first-degree murder in connection with the July 24, 2024 overdose death of Halenza.
The indictment states Stevens, a local landscaper, unlawfully distributed counterfeit pills containing fentanyl, which were a proximate cause of Halenza’s death. The charge is pursuant to Florida Statute 782.04(1)(a)3(b) and/or (g) — which allows for first-degree murder charges when a death results from the unlawful distribution of a controlled substance.
An investigation by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and investigators from the State Attorney’s Office states Halenza’s longtime partner, Renee Szczudlik, called 911 after discovering him unresponsive in a detached bathroom at their residence. Szczudlik admitted during interviews that she had purchased eight pills from Stevens earlier that afternoon for $80 after running into him at a Key Largo shopping plaza. She later provided detectives with the four remaining pills, which Florida Department of Law Enforcement lab tests confirmed contained fentanyl.
Michael Patrick Stevens. MCSO/Contributed
Video surveillance from a 7-Eleven in Tavernier corroborated Szczudlik’s account, showing her meeting Stevens shortly before the transaction took place. Location data from Szczudlik’s phone matched her statement, placing her at the Save Coin Laundromat, 7-Eleven, Stevens’ residence and finally her home.
Text messages and call logs extracted from both Szczudlik’s and Stevens’ phones further confirmed the coordination of the drug deal. Despite Stevens’ initial denials during a recorded interview, recovered deleted messages contradicted his statements and directly referenced the overdose.
In one message sent by Szczudlik on July 25, 2024, she wrote: “No worries take your time I have a lot of calls to make Adam died last night.”
The Monroe County Medical Examiner, Dr. Michael Steckbauer, determined the cause of death to
be mixed drug toxicity (cocaine and fentanyl) and stated that the level of each substance independently constituted a fatal dose. The manner of death was ruled accidental, but under Florida law, Stevens’ role in the distribution of the fentanyl-containing pills legally supports the first-degree murder charge, officials said.
“People think they’re buying one thing and instead they’re being handed a death sentence,” said State Attorney Dennis Ward. “This case underscores the devastation fentanyl continues to bring to our communities. We will not hesitate to hold drug dealers criminally responsible for the lives lost.”
“The volume and quality of the evidence — surveillance footage, digital forensics and direct witness statements — tells a consistent and compelling story,” added Chief Assistant State Attorney Joseph Mansfield, who will be prosecuting the case. “This indictment is not just about one transaction. It’s about a community drawing a line against those profiting from poison.”
Halenza worked at Payfair in Islamorada for more than 13 years and enjoyed meeting people, according to an obituary posted shortly after his passing. Stevens is being held without bond pending arraignment. A hearing is scheduled for April 23 before Circuit Court Judge James Morgan at the Plantation Key Courthouse.
— Keys Weekly staff report
WASTEWATER PUMP STATION SUFFERS OVERFLOW DURING CLEANING
Clog caused by nonflushable items
Islamorada’s North Plantation Key pump station. Village officials say a clog occurred during routine maintenance on March 27, leading effluent to overflow. JIM McCARTHY/Keys Weekly
Avideo surfacing on Facebook last week of raw sewage pouring from Islamorada’s North Plantation Key Wastewater pump station sparked concerns from the community.
The village said the North Plantation Key Transfer Station, located at MM 90 near two schools, was undergoing cleaning on March 27, as required to properly maintain the system and its associated equipment. During the process, one of the pump intake lines became clogged, which restricted the flow. The village said staff promptly responded and restored the pump to full operation.
The overflow was immediately stopped and all effluent remained onsite and is being cleaned up as required, the village said. The cleanup is expected to take about two weeks.
According to the village, the clog in the line was caused by excessive “rags” in the system. These “rags” consist of non-flushable items such as flushable wipes, tampons, condoms, paper towels and other debris.
FLORIDA MAN STRUCK AND KILLED IN KEY LARGO
Male was attempting to cross U.S. 1 on scooter
JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com
A69-year-old Florida man was struck and killed while attempting to cross U.S. 1 in Key Largo the morning of April 1.
According to Florida Highway Patrol, the man was on an electric four-wheel scooter and traveling west across U.S. 1 when a 2019 Dodge Charger traveling south on the inside lane of U.S. 1 struck him.
The man was transported to Baptist Health South Florida Mariners Hospital where he later died from his injuries.
FHP said neither alcohol nor drugs were a factor in the collision. The highway was shut down
just before 8 a.m. and reopened just after 9 a.m.
As of press time, FHP said they were attempting to contact the victim’s next of kin. FHP does not release the names of those involved in accidents.
The incident marks the fourth fatal accident in the Upper Keys since March 17. The other three fatal accidents occurred in Islamorada at MM 79, where a husband and wife from Ohio were hit and killed as they attempted to cross the highway, at MM 90 where a vehicle struck and killed a 71-yearold Florida man walking on the sidewalk, and MM 82 where a California bicyclist was hit and killed attempting to cross the highway.
“We ask for the community’s cooperation in properly disposing of these items to prevent future issues,” the village said in a March 27 Facebook post.
The village wastewater system includes a vacuum collection system with a vacuum pump station located on Lower Matecumbe Key, Upper Matecumbe Key, south Plantation Key, middle Plantation Key and on Sunshine Boulevard in North Plantation Key. There’s another vacuum pump station and a re-pump station located in North Plantation Key; it’s on Gardenia Street not far from Plantation Key School and next to newly-constructed Habitat for Humanity homes.
Once collected, all effluent is transmitted via the force main to Key Largo Wastewater Treatment District for treatment and disposal.
In case of a wastewater emergency, residents are asked to call the hotline at 305-359-0813.
— Keys Weekly staff report
MAN DIES IN SNORKELINGRELATED INCIDENT IN KEY LARGO
A73-year-old Crystal Falls, Michigan man died after he reportedly lost consciousness snorkeling in waters off Key Largo.
According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Dwaine Anderson was snorkeling with a commercial dive boat on the Grecian Rocks reef when he was found and brought back to the boat, whereupon CPR began immediately en route to shore.
Anderson was taken to Baptist Health South Florida Mariners Hospital in Tavernier, where he died. Foul play does not appear to be a factor. Autopsy results are pending.
— Keys Weekly staff report
Key West air show flies high despite a rain day
MANDY MILES
mandy@keysweekly.com
From a flyover on Duval Street on March 26 to the grand finale air show on March 30, the Southernmost Air Spectacular did not disappoint.
Despite a rainout on March 29, the March 30 show was flying high under blue skies and heart-stopping power.
An estimated 13,000 people streamed into Naval Air Station Key West at Boca Chica on March 30 to watch heart-stopping aerobatic performances, parachutists deploying an American flag to the sound of the national anthem and the stars of the show, the U.S. Navy’s elite precision flying team, the Blue Angels, in their F/A-18 Super Hornets.
Godspeed, guys. See you back here in two years.
THE BLUE ANGELS WERE BACK
WELCOME TO THE CLUB
Two residents become Honorary Conchs
in the community during a March 25 meeting in Key Largo. Pictured left is Michelle Lincoln. JIM McCARTHY/ Keys Weekly
JIM McCARTHY
jim@keysweekly.com
Two Upper Keys residents received distinction as Honorary Conchs during a March 25 Monroe County Commission meeting in Key Largo.
A special recognition to individuals who weren’t born in the Keys, but made significant contributions over the years within the island chain, Honorary Conch certificates were presented to Tony Hammon and Jimmy Anderson.
Hammon came to the Keys in the 1960s. He’s served the community in various capacities as a pastor at Island Community Church, educator at Coral Shores High School, administrator at Island Christian School, sports coach
and volunteer for several nonprofits.
“I was 12 years old when I came as a farm kid, and somehow got my roots in the water, became a marine biology teacher and eventually a pastor,” he said.
Commissioner Holly Raschein nominated Hammon for his community service, faith and friendship of the late Mike Forster.
“I could go on and on about your greatness. We hope you’re in our community many more years,” Raschein said.
Anderson moved to the Keys from Texas in 1976. He worked for Commissioner David Rice at the Monroe Alcoholism Rehab Center. Anderson also spent time as a child abuse and neglect investigator, probation officer and food stamp and welfare officer. He spent 13 years with the county health department conducting HIV testing. He was also a disaster case manager during Hurricane Irma.
Rice said he’s admired Anderson’s work in various areas within the community. Raschein said his connection with the community is “incredible.” Anderson thanked the county commissioners, as well as Jill Miranda Baker, who requested he be named an Honorary Conch in recognition of his community work.
“I’ve enjoyed working here and living here,” Anderson said. “Please help us make this a better place to live, all of us.”
County Commissioner Holly Raschein speaks on new Honorary Conch Jimmy Anderson’s impact
Monroe County Mayor Jim Scholl presents Tony Hammon with an Honorary Conch certificate. Also pictured, from left, are commissioners Michelle Lincoln, Holly Raschein, David Rice and Craig Cates.
The Blue Angels were back for the Southernmost Air Spectacular March 29 and 30. Despite a one-day rainout, the Navy’s elite F/A-18 Super Hornets did not disappoint on March 30, along with parachutists, aerobatic flights and tours of giant aircraft. Photos by Mark Hedden and Larry Blackburn
BUSY SCHEDULES
School board gets glimpse into students’ lives
A slide shows a majority of Coral Shores High School students working part-time jobs. CONTRIBUTED
FRANK DERFLER
www.keysweekly.com
Feel good, perform well, or both? Monroe County school board members recently had lessons in subjective feelings and objective measurements.
Students at the district’s high schools conducted surveys labeled “A Day in The Life.” Previously, Robert Aleman and Ali Beth Wilson presented a survey of facts and feelings gathered at Coral Shores. At the March meeting, Marathon High School students Anthony Iarocci and Marisol Diaz shared their survey of more than 300 Marathon students.
The two surveys had similar results. More than 50% of students in both studies had part-time jobs and, of those, about 30% work nearly 20 hours a week. Over 30% of students drive themselves to school.
The survey was given to all levels, from freshmen to seniors; the numbers would be higher among juniors and seniors.
Despite those work hours, more than 40% of the students participate in sports. About 10% take part in clubs or performance activities.
In both studies, a near majority of students reported being online between one and four hours a day.
School board members focused on the students’ opinions of favorite and least favorite academic classes. Electives were universally favored, along with language arts. Math won the label of “least favored.” When pressed, the students said, “Math is okay when it’s numbers, but when it’s letters and symbols, it’s not so great.”
COURT QUASHES ISLAMORADA COUNCIL’S ORANGE STREET ABANDONMENT APPROVAL
JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com
Aresolution approved by the Islamorada Village Council in 2024 to abandon a portion of the Orange Street right-of-way was recently quashed in court.
This subjective measurement contrasted with the data-heavy progress monitoring report from Lori Reid, director of assessment and accountability, and Heidi Roberts, district literacy coordinator. They reported on the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking at the mid-year point in the school year.
Monroe County students consistently score well above state norms in both reading and math. While the lead is substantial, Mindy Conn, school board chair, questioned why the lead hasn’t grown. There was a general discussion of teaching strategies and methods of sharing successful strategies as measured by student progress on standardized tests.
“The ‘Day in the Life’ presentation reminded us that there is so much more to a student’s education than how they perform on standardized assessments,” said school board member Sue Woltanski. “While we review data, we need to remember to stay focused on the needs of the ‘whole child.’”
By state statute, one third of a teacher’s evaluation is based on learning gains from test scores.
In other matters, the search continues for a new superintendent for the school district. Board members will conduct interviews and public meet-and-greets with candidates during April. The process culminates with a decision in early May and the new superintendent begins work on July 1. A list of the current candidates, 16 at presstime, is at keysschools.com/Page/7476.
According to Circuit Court Judge Tim Koenig’s order on March 25, the village council didn’t apply the plain and unambiguous village code to determine whether petitioners Mary Barley Family Trust and Prinston LLC were adjacent to the applicant’s property and deemed an affected property owner.
During an April 11, 2024 meeting, village council members voted 3-2 on the request by MM 82.790 LLC, the Sandal Factory, to abandon and vacate a portion of the right-of-way. It consisted of a 200-foot-long by 20-foot-wide piece of land abutting the storefront. Attorney James Lupino made the request on behalf of Sandal Factory for the right-of-way abandonment.
The small strip of land, a remaining fragment of Orange Street, was part of an old road no longer existing and effectively part of private property it abuts, the village stated. It’s long been used for parking by prior businesses and Sandal Factory, which acquired the property in 2021.
Council members were tasked with determining whether the rightof-way was still needed by the village or the public, and whether it was in the best interests of the village to abandon and vacate the right-ofway. Language within the resolution stated all affected property owners and utility companies did not object to the proposed abandonment of the right-of-way.
Attorneys with Coffey Burlington representing the plaintiffs, however, said village officials incorrectly advised council members that they had the authority to abandon the village property despite the objection. The hearings
was first held on July 20, 2023. Before the meeting, a letter was issued to property owners located within 300 feet of the proposed right-of-way abandonment. In response, the village received five letters stating no objection and two emails acknowledging objection to the abandonment. Mary Barley also acknowledged her objection to the proposal during the hearing.
Despite the objections, a staff report recommended approval of the request. During the meeting, Planning Director Jennifer DeBoisbriand recommended the council approve the right-of-way abandonment application. Council members and some residents noted during the discussion that the Orange Street fragment had been used as a parking lot for decades. Barley’s attorney not only objected to the abandonment, but also presented a conceptual rendering showing a proposed new parking and pedestrian plan for implementation by the village. Council members, however, continued to mull the abandonment request. The matter was ultimately continued to April 11, 2024.
Ahead of the 2024 meeting, Barley submitted another letter of objection with the property at issue. A staff report was again prepared recommending approval. Following lengthy discussion and consideration, the village council approved the abandonment request. Then-council members Mark Gregg and Buddy Pinder approved the resolution, as well as current Mayor Sharon Mahoney. Then-council members Elizabeth Jolin and Henry Rosenthal voted against the abandonment.
Challenge filed and village responds
By May 10, 2024, Barley filed a request for a higher court to review the decision. It claimed the village acted contrary to plain language of its own governing ordinances, which prohibit abandonment of a public right-of-way. Under village code, an objection from any affected property owner requires denial of the abandonment request.
• Property tax installment applications for the 2025 tax roll are due by April 30.
• All unpaid property tax became delinquent as of April 1. Payments must be made in certified funds and must include 3% interest on the March amount.
• All unpaid tangible personal property tax payments must include interest at a rate of 1.5% per month and a $10.00 collection fee.
• A property that is being rented out for six months or less must have a tourist development tax account.
• As a reminder, online rental platforms (Airbnb, VRBO, etc.) DO NOT remit the 5% tourist development tax to our o ce. It is the homeowner’s responsibility to ensure the tax has been remitted.
• A local business tax is required for ALL property rentals, regardless of how long they are being rented.
• We now o er duplicate and replacement concealed weapon permit transactions, as well as photograph and fingerprint only transactions, at our Key West Main O ce and Key Largo Branch O ce.
• We have launched a new feature on our website that provides a streamlined process for customers to have their electronically held vehicle/vessel titles printed and ready for express pickup in our o ce.
• Please visit our website for helpful information, forms, applications,
Follow us on for more imortant tax information.
We are looking for OUTGOING INDIVIDUALS in the UPPER KEYS with character, commitment, conviction and competence.
Send your confidential resume (including references) to jobs@keysweekly.com
TEAM
THREE WATERS RESORT HOSTS CULINARY WEEKEND
Enjoy the ocean’s bounty April 25-27
Three Waters Resort in Islamorada will host the inaugural Helm to Hearth culinary weekend, April 25-27. THREE WATERS RESORT/Contributed
Three Waters Resort & Marina will host the inaugural Helm to Hearth culinary weekend event, April 25-27.
In partnership with the James Beard Foundation, this event invites five chefs to showcase their passion for sustainable seafood. Helm to Hearth connects guests to the source of their food, from the ocean’s helm to the warmth of the hearth.
A portion of proceeds will benefit the James Beard Foundation and the Coral Restoration Foundation, supporting sustainable culinary practices and marine conservation efforts.
Participating chefs include:
• Charles Trexel, Islamorada Resort Collection’s executive chef, who leads the culinary concepts across the three resorts.
• Bryce Bonsack, of the Michelin-starred Rocca in Tampa.
• Asif Syed, of 21 Spices in Naples and past winter of “Beat Bobby Flay.”
• Two-time James Beard award semifinalist Brandon McGlamery, of Prato in Winter Park and Luke’s Kitchen and Bar in Maitland.
• Heidi Kabath, of the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island.
In between these dining moments, guests will enjoy the amenities of all three resorts that are part of the Islamorada Resort Collection, which includes La Siesta Resort & Villas and Amara Cay Resort.
A VIP fishing experience is available to guests Friday, April 25.
Event highlights
• Friday, April 25: Welcome reception with chefs. Reception presented by Islamorada Resort Collection executive chef Charles Trexel from 6-8 p.m.
• Saturday, April 26: Six-course dinner with a wine pairing at Kindler featuring all participating chefs from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
• Sunday, April 27: Brunch at Mercado Morada with live-action stations and all participating chefs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
MUSIC FROM AROUND THE GLOBE
Afro Roots music fest returns
One of South Florida’s longest-running music festivals is coming back to Islamorada from Friday, April 4 to Sunday, April 6 with a full weekend’s worth of world music at the Florida Keys Brewing Co. in Islamorada.
The free, all-ages concerts will feature Cuban and Colombian folk, Central American and Caribbean reggae, Latin funk and world music. Festival merchandise will be on sale, and an optional $10 suggested donation will go to support the organization that produces this event.
“I’m grateful to once again be able to bring the Afro Roots Fest to the beautiful Florida Keys,” said Jose Elias, Community Arts and Culture executive director. “I invite everyone to come enjoy the ambiance, craft beer and music from around the globe.”
Cortadito, Miami’s leading ambassadors of Cuban folk music, released the first single from their album The Guajiro Triangle on Feb. 7 and are set to release their second single before their upcoming festival performance. Audiences can expect to hear a mix of new material from their album, along with Cuban standards, including iconic songs from the Buena Vista Social Club.
Electric Piquete is an awardwinning Latin funk band from Hialeah who put out new music last September, their first full-length recording called Azabache, a collection of new and mostly instrumental music. The first single and video is titled “Chunk,“ a mid-tempo funk number mixed by Carlos “El Loco” Bedoya. The band is getting ready to issue a second single titled “Guayabera,” and accompanying animated lyric video, later this month.
Music Schedule
• Friday, April 4 at 6 p.m. | Pokito
• Saturday, April 5 starting at 6 p.m. | Cortadito and Grupo Barrio Abajo
• Sunday, April 6 starting at 2 p.m. | Electric Piquete, Philip Montalban, DJ Supa Kundukta
Cortadito, Miami’s leading ambassadors of Cuban folk music, will perform on Saturday, April 5 at Florida Keys Brewing Co. CONTRIBUTED
Electric Piquete, an award-winning Latin funk band from Hialeah, will take the stage on Sunday, April 6.
Guests can curate their own experience with fully inclusive packages and accommodations at Three Waters Resort & Marina and two tickets to each event; individual event tickets for Friday, Saturday and Sunday events; and a VIP fishing experience on Friday, April 25, pairing the guest with the chefs and a local captain for an offshore or backcountry fishing adventure. Scan the QR code here to book. More information is at @ ThreeWatersResort and @IslamoradaResortCollection on social media.
Afro-Latino reggae artist Philip Montalbán blends Mestizo, AfroCaribbean and indigenous cultures of Miskito, Rama and Garifuna influences in his music. Born and raised in the Bluefields region of Managua, Nicaragua, Montalbán is an international recording and touring artist whose most recent release is the single “Miami.”
Group Barrio Abajo plays the folkloric music of Caribbean Colombia by using traditional percussion instruments and flutes, with modern instruments, presenting styles such as bullerengue, porro, chandé and more. Their home country is known for cumbia and vallenato, but these are just two parts of their musically diverse heritage.
Jean P. Jam AKA Pokito is a Haitian artist who performs world beat music called “Deep Roots” that combines African, Soca, Caribbean and reggae influences. DJ Supa Kundukta (Super Conductor) is the stage name for Elias and he will be spinning a selection of Afro beat and world grooves, along with funk, soul and R&B classics.
Afro Roots Fest Islamorada is sponsored by the Monroe County Tourist Development Council, Keys ICE and the Florida Keys Brewing Co.
More information is at afrorootsfest.com.
— Contributed
Please send resume to: tvmemployment@gmail.com
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FUTURE VISION
Residents voice their opinions for new comprehensive plan
IJIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com
slamorada residents voiced their opinions on everything from development and vacant parcels to traffic during a series of interactive public meetings held March 2428 at the Founders Park Community Center.
A future Islamorada began to be drawn as a team of experts are assisting the village with an updated comprehensive plan. The document, which incorporates public input and takes roughly a year to a year-and-ahalf to create, guides development, preserves natural resources and ensures infrastructure can support population growth. Housing, open space, transportation, climate resilience and future land use are some elements to a comprehensive plan.
A public kickoff and hands-on design session on March 24 gave village residents the chance to work alongside their neighbors to sketch visions for the future of Islamorada. During the week, residents were able to visit with Able City East’s planning team and offer input and provide feedback on ideas.
“Our job is to create a plan where everybody has an idea,” said Jason King, project director for Able City East. “We say nobody gets everything, right? Our job as planners is to mediate and it’s to find common ground.”
Out of the weeklong session came ideas for more walking, biking and multimodal transportation opportunities, balancing responsible development with the village’s com-
munity character and prioritizing affordable and workforce housing. There were also wishes to enhance green space, protect natural resources and upgrade infrastructure.
With traffic sitting atop the issues in Islamorada, ideas were brought forth for public parking areas and trolleys to move visitors and locals around while taking vehicles off the road. There were also ideas for shared paths alongside the Old Highway for pedestrians, bicyclists and those driving golf carts, as well as safe crossings across the highway in village center areas.
As for attaining housing for the local workforce, an idea was brought forward to institute a real estate transfer fee on property sales over a specific amount for the village’s affordable housing trust.
“When property over a million dollars gets sold, a small amount goes to the affordable housing trust,” King said. “We recommend investigating the feasibility of a real estate transfer fee, it’s a 2% contribution on property sales over a million. In other places, this has been a huge source of revenue for building affordable housing.”
With the interactive meetings concluded, a draft comprehensive plan will be developed through the spring and summer. A workshop will be scheduled in the fall to present the draft and garner additional comments from the public. Council members will ultimately need to approve the plan; a timeline shows the process taking place in late 2025 or early 2026.
SEVEN MILE BRIDGE TO CLOSE SATURDAY MORNING FOR RACE
Traffic in Florida Keys will be affected on April 5
The Seven Mile Bridge, the longest of 42 bridges on the Florida Keys Overseas Highway, will close to traffic in both directions at 6 a.m. Saturday, April 5 for three hours for the annual Seven Mile Bridge Run.
The bridge is scheduled to reopen to traffic promptly at 9 a.m., according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
Visitors and residents in Key West and the Lower Keys expecting to drive early Saturday to Miami or Fort Lauderdale International airports or other destinations out of the Keys must be aware that there will be no way for traffic to cross the bridge between 6 and 9 a.m.
Likewise, those planning trips down to the Lower Keys and Key West on Saturday morning need to be aware of the delay in crossing the Seven Mile Bridge.
Everyone is advised to plan ahead and confirm details with transportation providers.
The annual competition is limited to 1,500 participants who must all complete the run in time for the 9 a.m. bridge reopening.
The race was first held in 1982 to help celebrate the completion of the then-new Seven Mile Bridge as well as 36 other new spans on the Florida Keys Overseas Highway.
More information is at 7mbrun.com.
— Contributed
The annual Seven Mile Bridge Run will close traffic on the bridge in both directions for three hours starting at 6 a.m. on Saturday, April 5. CONTRIBUTED
Islamorada residents view maps of the village as they discuss ideas for the community’s future at a March 24 gathering inside the Founders Park Community Center.
JIM McCARTHY/Keys Weekly
KEYS SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS JOIN EDUCATION ADVOCATES IN TALLAHASSEE
Woltanski and Talbott attend Florida School Boards Association event
Members of the Monroe County School Board, Yvette Talbott and Sue Woltanski, convened with more than 125 school board members and leaders in education in Tallahassee on March 19-20 for the 38th annual Day in the Legislature hosted by the Florida School Boards Association (FSBA).
Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. of the Florida Department of Education opened the event. Then David K. Moore, superintendent of the school district of Indian River County, led a session on advocating for public education, suggesting strategies for engaging in the legislative process and advancing public education priorities. The day concluded with a detailed session on advocacy and updates on legislative developments. The next day, participants visited the Capitol, engaging with their respective legislative delegations, attending legislative committee meetings and hearing remarks by Senate President Ben Albritton.
“This event serves as a vital platform for school board members to
Attorneys representing the village urged the court to dismiss the claim, stating Barley didn’t have standing to challenge the resolution approving the abandonment. The village, in its response to the claims, said Barley was unaffected by the abandonment since the cited portions of the record plainly reflect the referred-to parcel does not share a boundary with the Sandal Factory property.
“Petitioners do not claim that they have lost access to their own properties, but only that they have lost access to the area of abandonment, the 200foot strip of former Orange Street that is now part of Sandal Factory’s parking lot. Thus, their alleged injury or concern is the same as any given member of the public, meaning both that their objection did not tie the hands of the council under the code, and that they
engage directly in the legislative process,” said Danielle Thomas, director of advocacy and legislative services for the association. “By collaborating with lawmakers, they help shape education policy.”
Talbott said the event “provided a unique opportunity to engage with fellow school leaders and policymakers who are deeply committed to advancing the quality of education in Florida. The discussions around innovative practices, student success, and educational equity were incredibly inspiring. Moving forward, I am excited to collaborate on new initiatives that will positively (affect) our students and communities.”
“Another successful week, advocating for Monroe school district priorities and public schools, in general,” said Woltanski.
“For 38 years, this advocacy event has provided school board members with the opportunity to engage directly with legislators,” said Andrea Messina, chief executive officer, “ensuring that the needs of our students and districts are heard.
— Contributed
otherwise lack standing to complain under Florida law.”
The village response further stated the petitioner’s professed concerns over pedestrian and bicyclist safety do not serve as grounds for the court to quash the village council’s decision.
“The village in fact asked the Sandal Factory owner to apply for the abandonment, which would get the remnant Orange Street fragment ‘off the books’ of the village and could increase the village’s tax base. Accordingly, the Sandal Factory Owner filed the application on September 15, 2022,” reads the village’s response.
Questions
surrounded meaning of affected property owner
According to Koenig’s order, the petitioners’ proximity to the rightof-way abandonment had enough
TINA BOAN PROMOTED TO COUNTY ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR
Monroe County Commissioners approved the promotion of Tina Boan, senior director of budget and finance, to assistant county administrator during a March 25 meeting in Key Largo. The county said this promotion is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen its leadership team and ensure the efficient management of resources.
Boan has overseen budget development and financial operations for almost 20 years, including managing the $716 million budget, financial planning and fund management. She has been instrumental in guiding Monroe County’s fiscal strategy, improving financial operations and ensuring long-term economic stabil-
standing to seek review of the approved resolution. Barley testified that she owned the properties next to the property at issue.
In land-use cases, abutting homeowners ordinarily have standing by virtue of proximity to the proposed area of rezoning, states Koenig’s order, as he referenced a 2023 case between Save Calusa Inc. and Miami-Dade County that went to the Third District of Appeals.
Village code has two pertinent provisions governing the abandonment of public rights-of-way. One says the village council should find there’s no public interest in continued access to the right-of-way. The other states the council should not grant the abandonment unless affected property owners agree.
Per the village code, “affected
ity. She has often been asked to assist other departments with training, fiscal oversight and operations. She is also the lead expert in after-storm funding, reporting and obtaining reimbursement from FEMA and other agencies that assist in recovery efforts.
In her new role, Boan will continue to lead and oversee key county departments as assigned while working closely with County Administrator Christine Hurley and Assistant County Administrator Kevin Wilson to implement the county’s objectives.
“Throughout her tenure with Monroe County, Tina has demonstrated exceptional leadership, fiscal expertise, and a strong commitment to improving the financial well-being of our county,” said Hurley. “I have full confidence that she will continue to serve the residents of Monroe County with dedication and professionalism in this new capacity.”
“I am deeply honored by this opportunity to continue to serve the citizens of Monroe County in this position,” said Boan. “I look forward to continuing to work with the Board of County Commissioners, the county administrator, and our dedicated team to ensure that we remain fiscally responsible, resilient and responsive to the needs of our community.” — Contributed
property owner” means a property owner adjacent to the applicant’s property or, by virtue of a proposed abandonment, will have access which is currently used by that property owner eliminated, have the only platted access eliminated, have the paved area adjacent to that property increased for turn-around purposes or be increased in size.
“Part of this analysis required the village council to determine if petitioners were ‘adjacent to the applicant’s property.’ The record does not show that the village council engaged in this analysis, which violates the essential requirements of law,” read Koenig’s order.
Ty Harris, attorney representing MM 82.790 LLC, told Keys Weekly his clients will be appealing Koenig’s order. The village, too, will file an appeal.
Tina Boan. MONROE COUNTY/Contributed
ORANGE STREET CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8
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GIVING ‘FLORIDA MAN’ A BETTER NAME
Heise honored for quick-thinking rescue after croc attack
ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com
On March 10, 2024, headlines told tales of a South Florida man who found himself lucky to be alive after a rare animal attack in the Everglades. Bitten and dragged under the water by an American crocodile, 68-year-old Rodrigo Constain was flown to Jackson South Medical Center, where he ultimately survived the harrowing encounter.
One crucial detail virtually every news report left out: If not for the quick thinking and action of Marathon-based FWC biologist Andrew Heise, there may not have been a man left to save. And last Friday, that detail earned Heise a trip to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ mansion as Monroe County’s firstever honoree in the Florida Heroes’ Reception.
Celebrated with a total of 62 individuals, ranging from law enforcement and first responders to faith leaders and entrepreneurs, the third annual ceremony in Tallahassee recognized “Floridians who have exhibited extraordinary courage and selflessness,” DeSantis said in a press release.
"These 62 individuals represent the virtues we hold in high esteem here in Florida,” he said. “They are Florida's heroes."
“I was visiting my girlfriend when I found out,” Heise said. “I woke up, looked at my emails, saw that and said, ‘Oh shoot. This was a bigger deal than I thought it was.’ She looked at me and said, ‘Well, I guess you’re gonna need to get a suit.’”
Last March, Heise was on duty at the Flamingo boat ramp when he saw Constain capsize his sailboat in the marina’s boat basin and attempt to re-board it from the water.
“He was splashing and flailing,” Heise recalled. “And at one point, he just dropped under the water for a second. I could barely see the top of his life vest.”
Eventually swimming back toward the boat ramp, Constain had “a clearly confused look on his face,” but wasn’t verbally responding to those on shore. As a park ranger and local kayak rental attendant helped him back onto land, it was easy to see why.
“He was missing about a third of his calf muscle,” Heise said. “It immediately just started pumping blood into the water. I looked out, and the croc surfaced on the water right where it had happened.”
“I tried to open his mouth, but I don’t have the strength to open his mouth,” Constain told multiple media outlets in an interview from his hotel bed. He guessed the croc, known to locals as “HalfJaw” for a missing part of its lower mandible, held on for about “15 to 20 seconds” before releasing him to eventually swim for the shore.
Carrying Constain away from the water’s edge, Heise said he soon realized that a tightly-wrapped trauma pad provided by a park ranger wouldn’t be enough to stop the bleeding. Using a two-foot piece of rope and knowledge acquired from years in Boy Scouts, he applied a tourniquet just below Constain’s knee.
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“I said to him, ‘This is gonna hurt, but we have to cut the blood flow off. We have to get this done,’” Heise told the Weekly.
Several minutes later, more park rangers arrived, applying a second tourniquet to back up Heise’s work. But with a helicopter unable to land locally, an airlift from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue was nowhere nearby.
“They had to drive to the park entrance,” Heise said. “It’s normally an hour – I heard it took them 35 minutes.”
Due largely to Heise’s quick action, Constain was able to keep his leg. Heise said he hadn’t spoken with Constain since the incident, but a GoFundMe set up by Constain’s family confirmed he’ll miss multiple months of his typical construction and HVAC work.
“I have pain, but nothing like that matters because the experience was so hard,” Constain said from the hospital. “I feel good that I’m here, alive.”
Documented cases of crocodile attacks on humans in the U.S. are exceedingly rare, with Heise’s experience joining just one other report from Coral Gables in 2014 as the only known incidents in recent decades. Heise said he was unsure about Half-Jaw’s current status, but knew rangers were searching for the large reptile in the days after the bite.
Asked what allowed him to take charge of the situation as Constain went into shock, Heise, credited both Scouting and years of karate training. His answer was half serious, half said with a smile.
“I don’t know – I can just instinctively take care of a situation, fix a problem,” he said. “It’s probably where I got the ‘cop walk’ that my friends harass me for.”
“I am so incredibly proud of him – he is the most selfless person I know and will always be there when the world needs him,” Heise’s girlfriend, Taylor Marcialis, told the Weekly. “It’s truly an honor to be by his side and see the greatness he can and is accomplishing.”
As news of the save spread to his hometown, Heise said he was inundated with congratulatory calls. But one that he made himself held special significance: a call to former Army medic J.J. Krupa, Heise’s counselor for his First Aid merit badge in Boy Scouts.
“I asked him if he’d read our local paper, and he goes, ‘I have indeed, Mr. Heise. That’s quite an experience you had there.’ I said, ‘Well, if it wasn’t for someone’s skills and teachings, this might have had a different outcome.’”
Top: Local FWC biologist Andrew Heise is honored as one of 62 Florida Heroes by Gov. Ron DeSantis after his quick action in March of 2024 saved a man bitten in the leg by a crocodile. CONTRIBUTED. Center: Andrew Heise receives his certificate of recognition from Gov. Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis. Bottom: Andrew Heise checks out some of the other Florida Heroes honored by DeSantis.
REFLECTING ON MISSION: ICONIC REEFS
Unique partnership model provides hope, path forward in year 5
TIFFANY DUONG tiffany@keysweekly.com
Coral restoration practitioners and environmental enthusiasts recently marked the fifth anniversary of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary’s landmark Mission: Iconic Reefs (M:IR) program, celebrating the innovative partnership model that has led to its success and calling for continued commitment to the reefs.
Launched in 2019, the program set an ambitious goal of rebuilding and strengthening seven iconic coral reef tracts within the Florida Keys. Their approach is novel: leveraging different coral restoration practitioners and the programs they’ve individually developed, together with research and agency coordination, to ensure synergy of all goals and objectives.
“Mission: Iconic Reefs is NOAA-led and partnerdriven,” said Maddie Cholnoky, the M:IR implementation manager. Her job is to encourage partnerships with coral practitioners, and to work with them to assess where different outplants should happen in relation to other experiments and activities. “We look at the mission holistically to make sure each facet is successful. We look at everything — from people’s missions and goals to who’s doing what experiment to who focuses on what species — to best fit people’s work together, so they can all achieve their goals while contributing to the broader mission.”
David Burke, the acting sanctuary superintendent, added, “The Mission: Iconic Reefs program was set up … to be something that we helped to get started but that everybody was going to be a participant in.” The intention, he said, is for this to be a project that is bigger than the sum of its parts. This partnership model allows individual practitioners to bring their own expertise and tools to the fight to save the reefs; the framework helps diverse techniques to be used on the parts of the reef tract where they will be most effective.
“There’s all these organizations and businesses that inherently would be competitive by nature,” said Cholnoky. “Under this mission, they’ve collectively come together with the same goals, so people are sharing stories, they’re sharing data, they’re sharing ideas, and it strengthens restoration to make what’s happening here a model for the rest of the world. I think that makes it really special.”
This shift toward collaboration proved critical in 2023, during an unprecedented marine heat wave that killed off much of the coral in restoration nurseries and on reefs. Wild and restored colonies both suffered.
“The 2023 bleaching was the most severe in this region ever recorded in history,” said Katey Lesneski, the M:IR research and monitoring coordinator. “It led to a high percentage of mortality of elkhorn and staghorn coral, but in that time we also saw higher resilience in boulder, brain and massive corals.”
Those more resilient corals and the resilient genets of elkhorn and staghorn have now become the restoration focus of many groups, kickstarting a later phase of M:IR earlier than intended.
“Based on everything we’ve seen and learned, this is the right move,” Lesneski said.
The “silver lining” of the 2023 bleaching event has been the lessons implemented in its aftermath and the learned resilience of practitioners, multiple people said.
“It changed our approach to restoration and adaptive management,” Cholnoky said. “We saw people come together and be innovative in a way that had never happened before.”
NOAA hosted a special five-year anniversary screening of a feature film on M:IR produced by the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. The event, hosted at the Eco-Discovery Center in Key West, brought the coral community together from across the Keys.
Lesneski introduced the film and summarized for the Weekly some of the other successes that M:IR is celebrating:
• Creation of 100 new jobs.
• New research initiatives.
• Better understanding of our reefs.
• Increased public engagement through the Iconic Reef Guardians stewardship program and the new Eco-Discovery Center.
1: Maddie Cholnoky, Katey Lesneski and Chandler Nelson welcome guests to the Eco-Discovery Center in Key West for the Mission: Iconic Reefs’ five-year anniversary special screening. TIFFANY DUONG/Keys Weekly. 2: Practitioners grow and maintain corals in CRF’s nursery in Tavernier. 3: After the 2023 bleaching, more resilient genets of staghorn coral, like these in the CRF Tavernier nursery, have become the restoration focus of many groups. JOSEPH HENRY/ Triton Society 4: A March 2025 Iconic Reef Guardians trip brought locals and visitors to Snapper Ledge in Islamorada, to admire wild elkhorn that survived the 2023 bleaching.
• New partners: coral practitioners, research partners, state partners.
“Mission: Iconic Reefs is so incredible because it not only supports the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and ecosystems here, but also the local economy,” Lesneski said. “Restoring our reefs and creating all these jobs and pulling all these different funding sources in is a critical component of supporting the folks that live down here that really care about and rely on the reefs. … In order to keep obtaining those benefits, and for the people who live here to continue to benefit, we need to have our reefs healthy.”
Originally pitched as a 20-year endeavor costing nearly $100 million, M:IR is adapting in real time to the challenges that a changing planet and political ecosystem pose. What remains constant, practitioners said, is the passion everyone has for this work and their drive to learn more, do better and protect the place we all call home.
BIRTHDAY BLUES
Pawsitive Beginnings goes airborne with the Blue Angels
PENNY
Penny is such a delightful companion. She’s a 5-year-old parson terrier mix with boundless energy, a passion for ball games and a deep love for her humans — she must keep everyone smiling. Her social nature and craving for attention make her the kind of pup who lights up any room she’s in. If you are interested in meeting her please reach out to MarrVelous Pet Rescues at 305-453-1315.
REEF THE FOX
Hi friends!
Reef the fox here with your weekly “Reef’s Report.” I come to you today deeply wounded. March 28 was supposed to be a day of joy, celebration and endless adoration of yours truly. Instead, my so-called human mother abandoned me at the crack of dawn, 5:30 a.m., to be exact, and did not return until 7:30 p.m. That’s 14 hours of solitude.
Where was she, you ask? Oh, just living her best life with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, taking the ride of a lifetime in their C-130J “Fat Albert” like some kind of VIP. Meanwhile, her actual VIP (that would be me) sat at home, alone, uncelebrated and without so much as a proper tribute parade. Now, to give the tiniest bit of credit where it’s due, she did take a laminated photo of me on the flight and made sure to get photographic evidence of my greatness among the Blue Angels crew. But let’s be real, a
laminated version of me? That’s like getting a cardboard cutout of your best friend for your birthday instead of their actual presence.
I waited all day for a party, a cake, some grand declaration that Reef the Fox, the undisputed king of Key Largo, was turning 4. I imagined banners, fanfare, maybe even a guest appearance from some of my devoted fans. Instead? Silence. Just me, sitting in my enclosure, wondering if my years of dedicated service as a household icon meant nothing.
The only thing that broke the monotony was watching my mother gleefully post about her sky-high adventures while I languished in birthday obscurity. Blue Angels, I see you. I respect your mission. But next time, maybe check in with a certain highly important fox before stealing away my human on the most sacred of days.
So, let this serve as my official birthday grievance filing. I expect reparations in the form of extra Fig Newtons, a formal apology and perhaps a proper celebration, one that does not involve a laminated version of myself standing in for my living, breathing, highly charismatic self.
Until then, I will remain here, reflecting on the depths of my neglect.
Reef, over and out!
Thursday, April 3
• Great Decisions discussion on “Between China, the West and the Global South” at 2 p.m. at Key Largo library.
• MarrVelous Pet Rescue’s “Yappy Hour” from 6 to 8 p.m. at Sharkeys, Key Largo. Dogs must be well-socialized, leashed and vaccinated.
Friday, April 4
• First Friday Concert finale welcomes musician Katherine Archer at 6 p.m. at Key Largo library.
April 5-6
• 33rd annual Island Fest at Founders Park, Islamorada. Visit islamoradachamber.com/islandfest to learn more.
Monday, April 7
• Discussion on “Who Made the Everglades” by Sara Ayers-Rigsby, of the Florida Public Archaeology Network and FAU anthropology department, at 6 p.m at Islamorada library.
Wednesday, April 9
• Free legal help for low-income residents of Monroe County from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Key Largo library. Call 866-686-2760 or pre-register online legalservicesmiami.org.
Thursday, April 10
• Hurricane preparedness training for adults/ Preparacion para huracanes, desastres y emergencias para adultos at 2:30 p.m. (English) and 3:30 p.m. (Espanol) at Key Largo library. Call 305453-3491 for more information.
Friday, April 11
• Lunch & Learn welcomes Frank and Liz Hawkins for a talk on the book “$ea Weed: A Novel of Hearsay” from noon to 1 p.m. at the Keys History & Discovery Center Islamorada. Scan the QR code to sign up.
April 8-9
• JOY Center activities from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Monroe County Plantation Key Community Center, 53 High Point Road, Islamorada.
Tuesday, April 8
• Islamorada Village Council meeting at 5:30 p.m. at Founders Park Community Center.
• Conch shell blowing class at 4 p.m. at Key Largo library. First 15 people who register get a conch shell. Register at KeysLibraries.org.
Saturday, April 12
• Fourth annual Swim Across America - Florida Keys Open Water Swim beginning at 8 a.m. at Founders Park beach, Islamorada. Learn more by scanning the QR code.
• MarrVelous Pet Rescues’ Bets for Pets fundraiser at 6 p.m. at 68 Silver Springs Dr., Key Largo. Learn more at mprescues.org/bets-forpets.
Reef is a red fox that was saved from a fur farm. He now lives in Key Largo with his human, Nicole Navarro.
SAVE THE DATE
Pawsitive Beginnings founder Nicole Navarro with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels ahead of a VIP trip in the C-130J ‘Fat Albert’ on March 28. CONTRIBUTED
THE GREAT FLORIDA KEYS ROAD TRIP: LONG KEY
Famous Western novelist enjoyed annual fishing trips
Rattlesnakes are pit vipers. Pit vipers have two little heat-sensing pits on their heads between their eyes and nostrils. When a rattlesnake strikes with its fangs at some warm-blooded prey, the pits help guide its aim.
This information is relevant because, once upon a time, the island ahead was identified as Viper Kay.
FLORIDA KEYS HISTORY WITH BRAD BERTELLI
The Spanish word for viper is vibura. Early Spanish names for the island included slight variations of vibura, Cayo Vivora and Vivoras. In 1775, a chart created by Gauld identified the island by two names, Cayo Bivoras and Viper Kay. In 1846, the Blunt chart used the same two names. In 1849, Gerdes wrote in his “Reconnaissance of the Florida Reef and all the Keys,” “The name of Viper Key, or Cayo Bivoras is not known to anybody, but the island is called Long Island.”
Brad is a local historian, author, speaker and Honorary Conch who loves sharing the history of the Florida Keys.
cery store in Miami with his wife Mary before they purchased 40 acres of Long Key. He developed the Long Key Construction Company in 1946, after which a fishing camp was established, followed by cabins and a restaurant. What started as Layton’s Long Key Fishing Camp grew into a town that was incorporated on Sept. 18, 1963. Layton is small. No sooner is the blinking yellow light in the rearview mirror than Layton has passed, and you’re cruising down the island. It won’t be long before a brown sign on the side of the road reads: Long Key State Park 1,000 Feet.
If there is one thing that the state of Florida does really well, it is its state park program, and Long Key State Park presents another opportunity to experience a more natural island state. The thousand-acre park was dedicated on Oct. 1, 1969. It offers camping, kayaking, bird watching and the chance to see what the real Florida Keys are like. There are nature trails, too.
novels. The writer was also a world-record-holding fisherman who became a fan of the Florida Keys.
Pearl Zane Grey grew up wanting to be a baseball player and played semi-professionally.
His father wanted him to be a dentist, and he became one. He was also a writer, and in 1902, he self-published “Betty Zane” with the help of his wife, who paid $600 for that first novel to be published.
In 1907, Grey visited a friend in Arizona, helping him trap mountain lions, and fell in love with the majesty of the West. Western novels became his sweet spot, and he published more than 90 books and 196 short stories. He was also one of the first American authors to become a millionaire. Grey went into the movie business and, in 1919, opened Zane Grey Productions.
On an 1872 government survey, Charles Smith called it Long Key, and Long Key it is today. The view of the island from the high arch of the Channel 5 Bridge offers a picturesque approach. When driving down the bridge, a sailboat or two can often be seen at anchor just offshore from the island. From the bridge, on the oceanside of the highway, it looks like an island’s bushy green arm is sticking out. The “elbow” is Long Key Point. After the bridge, the highway rolls past Fiesta Key, and a short span of railroad fill before it reaches Long Key. While driving over the long, thin line of asphalt, the island does give off a serpentine feel. Slithering along, the first thing Long Key reveals is Layton. It is a small community with a blinking yellow light reminding you to slow down.
It was named after Del Layton, who ran a gro-
If you are a fan of the Netflix series “Bloodline,” stroll down the Golden Orb Trail. Long Key State Park was home to where the fratricide occurred – the sheriff drowned his brother. The spot where the scene was filmed is a little off the beaten path and between the Golden Orb Trail and Long Key Point. For years, the log out in the water seen in the shot was still there — it isn’t any more, but the view is still gorgeous.
What brought Long Key national attention is fishing, or at least fishermen and a fish camp. According to the Key West Citizen, an Oct. 23, 1908 story reveals, “Six buildings are being erected at Long Key for the use of tourists, and incidentally to allow the traveling public to stop over here and enjoy some of the best fishing in the world.”
The Key West Citizen reported in 1909, “We have tips from good authority that Long Key Fishing Camp is going to be crowded this winter. It is one of the most attractive places along the line; contains a two-story hotel and about 30 neat little cottages.”
The camp attracted the attention of Zane Grey, who is best remembered for his Western
Forty-six movies based on his work helped launch the careers of Hollywood legends like John Wayne, Tom Mix, Randolph Scott and Shirley Temple.
Grey first came to the Keys in 1911, when a tarpon fishing trip with his brother, originally planned for Mexico, fell through after an epidemic swept over their destination. After returning to Miami, with time on their hands and fishing on their minds, they decided to ride Flagler’s train south to Long Key. It left an impression. Between 1911 and 1926, Grey only missed his annual fishing trip to Long Key twice.
At the end of the island, right before rolling over the Long Key Bridge, you’ll speed past a historic marker commemorating the Long Key Fishing Camp that was destroyed in the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane. Where many of the old buildings once stood is now a condominium complex.
The last thing to remember about Long Key is that after driving past the old fishing camp, off the island, and over the Long Key Bridge, there is a second bridge. The old railroad bridge, the Long Key Viaduct, is on the oceanside. There are probably people standing on it fishing. Of all the railroad bridges in the Keys, the Long Key Viaduct was Henry Flagler’s favorite.
The building and grounds of the Long Key Fishing Camp circa 1915. FLORIDA KEYS HISTORY CENTER/Monroe County Library Collection
TUNES & TONES
Island Fest brings music lineup and talented artists
The 33rd annual Island Fest is back on Saturday and Sunday, April 5-6 with a music lineup including tropical Americana, laid-back beach tunes, classic rock ’n’ roll, blues and country.
Live music kicks off shortly after the event’s 10 a.m. opening on Saturday, April 5, with Micah and the Barstool Sailor band bringing tropical Americana sound to the beach stage. I Land Vibes will play beach tunes while artist Noel Skiba paints live to the rhythm of their music. Hula hoop contests will take place on the beach. Later in the day, Electric Mayhem will deliver a dynamic set of rock.
On Sunday, the Tim Dressing Band will play a mix of old and new favorites. At noon, the Pitbull of Blues Band takes the stage, while local artist Pasta Pantaleo creates live art in sync with their rhythm. To close out the weekend, The KeyBillies will bring their signature country sound to the beach.
This year’s poster artist is Jane Wood of Big Pine Key, whose work “Out to Sea” captures the energy and charm that define Islamorada. Wood moved to the Florida Keys from the Chicago area in 2016.
“‘Out to Sea’ speaks of that perfect moment when you are heading out into an incredible sunset with all the possibilities in front of you,” Wood said. “Immerse yourself in the painting to take you back to
your own moment that Out to Sea suggests.”
“We are excited to welcome Jane as this year’s Island Fest poster artist,” said Judy Hull, executive director of the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce. “Her talent is outstanding, and we look forward to showcasing her incredible work.”
Wood has been creating art all her life, but it was during the COVID years that she became a working artist, turning her passion into a profession. Painting with acrylics and charcoal, Wood strives to inspire a sense of zen and calm, reflecting the experiences she’s had in nature, whether kayaking, boating or snorkeling in the Keys.
“My art is a culmination of many experiences in nature,” she said, “where I’ve been completely in awe of the beauty surrounding me.” — Contributed
Island Fest poster artist Jane Wood’s ‘Out to Sea’ captures the radiant energy and coastal charm that define Islamorada. CONTRIBUTED
Island Fest’s musical lineup includes beach tunes from I Land Vibes.
VIETNAM VETERANS RECEIVE A ‘CEREMONY OF GRATITUDE’
Seventeen Vietnam veterans attended the Ceremony of Gratitude by the Daughters of the American Revolution at the Italian Food Company in Key Largo on March 18. KAREN KOVARIK/Contributed
Dear Editor,
The Ceremony of Gratitude presented by the Daughters of the American Revolution, hosted by Italian Food Company owner Tony and Isis Wright, in Key Largo on March 18 was a magnificent event. All of the Vietnam veterans being honored before their families and significant others were recognized and presented with a commemorative pin before being treated to lunch.
The Florida Keys Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution under the leadership of First Vice Regent Linda Norman and Honorary Chapter Regent Kate Granger, along with their members, showed all of the Vietnam veterans love and respect. The positive energy and compassion delivered by these ladies to all in attendance was abundant. It touched and uplifted the life of every veteran in attendance.
Along with many of the other veterans, I didn’t realize how cathartic this event would be.
In closing, your excellent publication has been a bulwark in supporting and recognizing the sacrifices made by our nation’s veterans. Thanks so very much to all.
John Donnelly, Key Largo
PLANTING IN THE PRESENCE OF SALTWATER
The Keys are known for their idyllic seascapes, warm climate and fascinating geological history. While we love these aspects, many plants may not.
If you have gardened here, you know it can be difficult. One increasing horticultural threat is the presence of saltwater in our landscapes.
LIAH CONTINENTINO
is the University of Florida, IFAS County Extension environmental horticulture agent and master gardener volunteer coordinator.
The Keys have a predominantly saltwater ecosystem with minimal freshwater resources. The land is composed of porous fossilized coral reefs and ancient sandbars, with 90% of it sitting at 5 feet or less in elevation. These factors make the Keys especially susceptible to flooding from storm surges, sea-level rise and king tides.
King tides are usually highest in October, with a smaller king tide in June, and can be up to 2 feet higher than the average high tides. Data from 2017 in Key West shows maximum king tides of 2.6 feet to 2.73 feet. It is common for king tides to flood roads and yards in the Keys, sometimes called “sunny day flooding.”
According to the 2017 NOAA Technical Report, sea levels are rising at an unprecedented rate. Projections show that with a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, sea levels will be around two feet higher in 2100 than in 2000. With no change in emissions, sea levels are projected to be 13 feet higher in 2100 than in 2000.
Some areas will feel it more than others, the Keys included. Sea levels in the Gulf are expected to be 16-18 inches higher in 2050 than in 2020, roughly 6 inches higher than the nation’s average. Key West Harbor tide data documented a 0.87-foot rise from
1913 to 2024. While extreme events, such as king tides or storm surges, may seem like the most significant threat, increased sea levels intensify these events, allowing smaller changes in water levels to cause flooding.
Most food crops and landscape ornamentals have little to no salt tolerance. Salty soil or water leads to dehydration, inhibited growth and plant death. While short-term solutions such as flushing soil with freshwater and amending soils exist, these are often costly and time-intensive.
The best approach is to adapt. You can do so by planting the right plant in the right place. That focuses on achieving healthy, low-maintenance landscapes by ensuring that your plant’s needs fit the environment they are in. In this case, this means planting salttolerant plants, saving you the hassle and cost of scrambling to revive your plants down the line.
Salt-tolerant plants have adaptations which make them resistant to salt spray and occasional inundation. They are often acclimated to infertile, alkaline, sandy soils and high winds. Many Keys native plants are salt-tolerant and aesthetically beautiful, making them ideal for landscaping.
Here are three excellent salt-tolerant plants:
• Buttonwood: A hardy, lowbranching evergreen tree with smooth, oval leaves, button-like inconspicuous flowers, and striking ridged bark. It can grow to 40 feet tall or be pruned for use as a hedge or screen.
• Mangrove spider lily: With large, fragrant white blooms and long, glossy leaves, this spider lily is gorgeous. It is an excellent choice for borders, accents or ground cover.
• Mulhy grass: A tall, clumping grass that boasts an impressive display of pink and purple flowers in the fall. This Idyllic landscaping plant is perfect for accents, borders, or mass plantings. Monroe County Extension is here to assist you with any plant needs. If you have questions, contact us at monroe@ifas.ufl.edu, Continentino-liah@ monroecounty-fl.gov, or 305-998-9580.
Hymenocallis latifolia in bloom. PIXABAY
CATCH THE MYSTERY PLAYERS’ ‘LETHAL LUAU’
NEW BULL SHARKS PROGRAM DONATES SPORTS EQUIPMENT TO CHILDREN’S SHELTER
KELLIE BUTLER FARRELL www.keysweekly.com which involves a lot of finger pointing and shenanigans as cast members try to solve a murder.
Anyone who has attended a murder mystery dinner show produced and directed by Patrice Messina can count on two things happening.
First, the show will be hilarious. Second, longtime fishing charter boat captain and amateur actor Skip Bradeen will be the first to meet his maker.
“Skip Bradeen’s in a lot of these shows and I kill him right away,” said Messina with a laugh.
“He makes a toast and he drinks and then, depending on Skippy’s mood, he either falls slowly to the ground or he gargles; anyhow, he manages somehow to die. I never know what he’s going to do, honestly,” she continued.
“Lethal Luau” is Messina’s most recent murder mystery production. The first performance took place on March 22. The second and last show takes place Saturday, April 5 at 6:30 p.m. at the Elks Lodge 1872 in Tavernier. Messina has been producing the dinner theater murder mystery events for more than 20 years and says this show is a winner.
“It’s really quite hysterical; my cast has taken it over the top,” said Messina. “This might be the best cast I’ve had yet.”
The cast consists of six suspects and Messina, who serves as the MC, director and investigating officer. Three of the actors have been in other Mystery Players productions, and three are brand-new to this kind of theater,
This is the second time Debbie Hess has acted in a Mystery Players production. She’s been performing for years, but the middle-school teacher said this experience is unique.
“It’s a whole different animal,” Hess said. “There’s a lot of energy, you do a lot of interaction with the audience and it’s really fun; it’s completely different than stage theater.”
Kim Harrington plays snooty socialite Holly Day. In real life she works for the Village of Islamorada’s Planning Department. This was her first murder mystery. Initially, Harrington did not want to be in the show, fearing she would not be able to fit it into her schedule. But Messina, who can be very persuasive, eventually got her to join the cast.
“That would have been a bummer if I didn’t do it, because this has been a great experience, so I’m glad she was persistent,” said Harrington.
Rebekah Susa is also new to the Mystery Players. The last time she was in a play was over 20 years ago. But the charter boat captain is in a band, Generation Gap, and performs monthly at Island Grill. That experience of being on stage and learning lyrics helped Susa prepare for this show.
“I think I was the first to know all my lines,” said Susa with a laugh. She plays an innocent-looking Hawaiian hula dancer.
Visit keysweekly.com for the full story.
The Florida Keys Children’s Shelter recently received a donation of brand-new sports equipment, thanks to the new Florida Keys Bull Sharks.
Sam Steele founded the newlyestablished Bull Sharks program to serve youth athletes throughout the Florida Keys, aiming to foster lifelong friendships and a strong sense of community through sports.
The Bull Sharks say sports play a vital role in building confidence, teamwork and resilience — qualities that will benefit these children both on and off the field.
“Having access to new sports equipment means so much to our kids,” said Francine Lemay, residential counselor at FKCS. “It’s not just about playing the game — it’s about building confidence, learn-
ing teamwork, and having fun.”
At the heart of the program is the Bull Sharks travel team, where young athletes learn hard work, perseverance and accountability while competing at a high level. The vision extends beyond baseball — the program makes sports accessible to all children in Monroe County, regardless of financial barriers.
“For many children, financial barriers often prevent them from participating in athletics,” Steele said. “The Florida Keys Bull Sharks aim to remove these obstacles by providing equipment, financial assistance, and access to advanced training for young athletes committed to improving their skills.”
More information is at thebullsharks.com.
— Contributed
From left, Ben Kemmer, children’s shelter CEO; Sam Steele, Florida Keys Bull Sharks founder; Lynda Weinstein, children’s shelter development director; Francine Lemay, residential coordinator; and Anais Diaz, community development director. CONTRIBUTED
‘Lethal Luau’ cast members prepare for their second and final performance at the Elks Lodge 1872 in Tavernier. The murder mystery dinner theater includes a show and Hawaiian-themed meal. CONTRIBUTED
Now Hiring FINANCE MANAGER
The Keys Weekly Newspapers and Overseas Media Group are seeking an organized, detail-orientated and responsible professional to manage the organizations’ financial tasks including intercompany accounting while supporting an active sales team. Qualified candidates are
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This is a full time, salaried, administrative position with health benefits, IRA contributions and more. Send your confidential resume and credentials to jobs@keysweekly.com.
Founded by Betty Debnam
Representing the U.S.
Mini Fact: The U.S. Embassy in Mozambique moved into a new building in 2021.
Think about the last time you visited friends or family who live in another city or state. Did they show you around their town? Maybe you were the special guest at a party.
The United States has friends around the world, too. But you can imagine that it would be hard for Americans to invite a whole country to visit and see our favorite things about our country. So instead, we have embassies in most other countries, and we deliver American pride and hospitality to them.
An embassy is an official government office for an ambassador and other diplomats. An ambassador is a representative of a country (or another group). The U.S. has 173 embassies and consulates around the world. The foreign service is part of the U.S. Department of State.
This week, The Mini Page finds out more about what U.S. ambassadors and embassy staff do in foreign countries.
WHAT IS DIPLOMACY?
Diplomacy is the art and practice of managing relations with other countries. Diplomacy is also a profession and a career in public service and in foreign service.
U.S. diplomats serve in different countries and at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. They represent the United States to other countries and to internationalorganizations such as the United Nations.
Diplomats need to know history and understand current issues and concerns in American
life. They also need to be knowledgeable about other countries and available to serve throughout the world.
U.S. diplomats promote peace and democracy, bring nations together to address global problems such as trade, and protect and help American businesses and citizens overseas.
LEARNING THE LINGO
It helps diplomats to know the language of the country they’re working in. Before they move to a new country, diplomats get language training at the Foreign Service Institute outside of Washington, D.C., which is like a college campus.
SHARING OUR VALUES
Ambassadors and embassies hold events and sponsor visitors to share American culture. The embassy might host U.S. musicians, artists, authors and others, as well as scientists and representatives from Congress.
grounds or elsewhere in the city where they serve.
Programs such as Art in Embassies bring the work of American artists to embassies so it can be experienced by people around the world.
Words that remind us of U.S. embassies are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find:
FOREIGN SERVICE KIDS
Diplomats move every couple of years to a new country, which means their kids get to live in many interesting and unusual places. Life growing up in the foreign service is exciting and also difficult at times.
A few years ago, The Mini Page spoke with Aidan, a 9-year-old foreign service kid who lived in Jordan at the time.
Q: What are the good things about moving every few years? What are the bad things?
A: You get new friends, and sometimes that’s fun. Sometimes it’s hard to leave your really good friends. When I first got to Jordan, I was scared about finding new friends. The first two weeks of school I was really shy until a person named Carter came over to me. He’s been my best friend ever since.
Q: What is your school like?
A: It’s nice, and the teachers are nice! My school in Jordan is probably the nicest school I’ve been to. In China, they had 78 buses so it was hard to find your bus.
Q: Are you interested in being a foreign service worker when you grow up?
A: I do want to be in the foreign service because I like to move and I want to visit different countries.
RESOURCES
kids.kiddle.co/Embassy
the library:
“Inside a U.S. Embassy: How the Foreign Service Works for America” by Shawn Dorman
Temperatures at the North Pole soared 36 degrees Fahrenheit above normal in early February, reaching just above freezing in normally frigid midwinter. Julien Nicolas of Europe’s Copernicus Climate Change Service attributed the unusual warmth to a deep low-pressure system over Iceland, which funneled warm air toward the North Pole. A similar pattern in February 2018 caused the North Pole to reach 35 degrees. The spike this year followed Arctic sea ice levels shrinking to the second lowest on record for January.
The ambassador’s home in Bangkok, Thailand. Diplomats may live on the embassy
Islamorada
Saturday & Sunday 10 to 5
Plantation Yacht Harbor Arts & Crafts Show
Saturday, April 5
Live performan ces all day long on the s tage on the beach
Micah - Barstool Sailor Band - Tropical Americana
I Land Vibes - Beach Tunes
while Noel Skiba paints to the rhythm of the islands
Electric Mayhem - Southern Rock
Saturday Highlights: WHAT FLOATS YOUR BOAT
Homemade Boat Race Adults & Kids Divisions
Plantation Yacht Harbor Arts & Crafts Show
Stroll along the Bay and enjoy the best collection of juried arts and crafts from around the state, in all mediums and all price ranges.
2025 Poster "Out To Sea" by Jane Wood
All-American Vintage Cruisers
“Octopus andJellyfish Jubilee”
Sand Sculpting Contest on the Beach!
A Round-Up of Food Trucks
Serving up BOLD BITES and ISLAND DELIGHTS
Satisfying Every Appetite!
Sunday, April 6
Live performan ces all day long on the s tage on the beach
The Tim Dressing Band - "Old and New"
The Pit Bull of Blues Band - Blues while Pasta paints to the rhythm of the blues
Koty James & The KeyBillies - Country
"How Do You Smoke a Fish"
Featuring all makes and models plus classic & custom designs (cars, trucks, motorcycles & more)!
Music, Art, Food & These Activities (both days): Kite Flying
Sand Sculpting on the Beach
Paint the Dolphin: Art for Kids
Hula Hooping & Contests
8-ft. Sand Castle — Photo Op
Mermaids will be on the beach and swimming in the bay!
Swim with a mermaid
Meet a mermaid
Mermaid photo ops
Sponsor: Florida Keys Brewing Co.
BOTH SATURDAY & SUNDAY!
Showcasing kids creativity, business savvy, and innovative products.
Judges and People's Choice Awards
Vote for the Best! Sunday Highlight: SMOKED FISH DIP CONTEST
Coral Shores Girls Lacrosse Loures Academy 3/28 L, 14-8
Key West Softball Sebastian River 3/28 W, 10-4
Coral Shores Baseball Westminster Academy 3/28 W, 12-2
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Coral Shores Boys Lacrosse North Broward Prep 3/28 W, 12-1 Key West Baseball Sports Leadership Tampa 3/28 L, 6-5 (9)
Key West Baseball Sports Leadership Tampa 3/29 L, 6-5
Marathon Baseball Westminster Academy 3/29 W, 3-0
Key West Boys Lacrosse North Broward Prep 3/29 W, 13-12
Key West Softball John Carroll Catholic 3/29 L, 13-3
Key West
BYNUM
Brock’s play has been outstanding this season. Every game, he is making big-time saves. He’s been our team MVP so far.”
– Coral Shores head coach Chris Carrow
Coral Shores goalkeeper Brock Bynum has been nothing short of outstanding this season, keeping the Hurricanes steady as he defends their cage. Last week, Bynum had 15 saves in Coral Shores’ game against Key West, helping the ’Canes avenge an earlier season loss to their Keys rival. Two days later, he saved another 14 shots from scoring, allowing a single goal against North Broward Prep, a statistical anomaly in lacrosse. Bynum’s leadership by example has been crucial in the team’s winning record this season. For his phenomenal gameplay and unrivaled leadership, Coral Shores’ Brock Bynum is the Keys Weekly Athlete of the Week.
Coral Shores Lacrosse Goalkeeper
Photo by JOY SMITH/Keys Weekly
fled to the Keys from the frozen mountains of Pennsylvania hours after graduating from college and never looked back. She is a second-generation coach and educator, and has taught in the public school system for over 25 years. She and her husband met at a beginning teacher meeting in 1997 and have three children born and raised in Monroe County. In her free time, McDonald loves flea markets, historical fiction and long runs in the heat.
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.
Marathon - Alex Rickert alex@keysweekly.com
Upper Keys - Jim McCarthy jim@keysweekly.com
Key West - Mandy Miles mandy@keysweekly.com
The Keys Weekly Sports Wrap is proud to be the only locally-owned publication providing prep sports coverage from Key Largo to Key West. Together with our writers and photographers, we are committed to providing a comprehensive overview of the world of Keys sports with photography that allows our readers to immerse themselves in game action.
Se habla español THE MARATHON WEEKLY (ISSN 1944-0812) IS PUBLISHED WEEKLY FOR $125 PER YEAR BY WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, INC., 9709 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, MARATHON FL 33050. APPLICATION TO MAIL AT PERIODICALS POSTAGE RATES IS PENDING AT FORT LAUDERDALE FL AND ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES.
All stories, photos, and graphics are copyrighted materials. 9709 Overseas Hwy. Marathon, FL 33050 Office: 305.743.0844 www.keysweekly.com
Coral Shores adds two wins to streak with Putetti on top of state leaderboard
The Hurricanes of Coral Shores traveled to Archbishop Carroll on March 24, where the Bulldogs took an early lead, scoring one run each in innings two and three. But a patient, steady Hurricane team managed to pull ahead by inning five. They maintained and stretched their lead for the duration of the game, making it 12 wins in a row with the 8-5 victory.
Donovan Thiery got the start on the mound, striking out seven, walking three and surrendering seven hits over five frames. Riley O’Berry earned the win for the ’Canes and Campbell Lavoie was credited with the save. The team was error-free in the field, giving the Bulldogs little hope.
Offensively, Thiery dominated at the plate, going 4-4 while AJ Putetti homered for one of his two hits. Derek Ramos registered three hits including a double as part of the Hurricanes’ dozen.
Then, on March 28, the ’Canes made it a lucky 13 in a row, winning against Westminster Academy at home. Lavoie and O’Berry combined for six innings on the mound for six strikeouts, two walks and three hits to effectively shut down the Lions. Putetti’s bat was busy, with four hits and four RBIs for Coral Shores. Maykol Bonito, Lavoie, Ramos, O’Berry and Mason Clark had two hits each and Eddie Holly added one for a total of 15. The Hurricanes have been all but invincible thus far this season. Putetti and Thiery are both hitting over .500 and the team dominates the district leaderboard. Putetti is currently in first in all of FHSAA’s 2A in runs scored with 33. Their only loss came back on Feb. 18 when district rival Keys Gate beat them by a single run, setting the team up for solid postseason prospects.
tracy mcdonald
KEY WEST
The Spartans outpaced the Conchs on March 27 when Key West traveled to their old-school rivals Monsignor Pace for a battle between two of the top-ranked teams in the state. Key West struck first, taking advantage of a Spartan error to score one in their first at-bat. The Spartans did the same in inning two when an error and a walk put two runners on to set the stage for a three-run homer to make it 3-1. Monsignor Pace added four more in the third to take a hefty lead, then the Conchs did what they do best: nibbling away at that lead to make what often amounts to a fantastic comeback. By the final frame, Key West narrowed the gap, but ultimately lost to the Spartans 8-5. Nelson Ong and Sam Holland had a pair of hits each and Roman Garcia and Jackie Niles accounted for one apiece for a total of six.
On March 28 and 29, the Spartans of Sports Leadership & Management, best known as SLAM, sent their Tampa branch’s best to Key West for a twogame series. Jon Carlos Lampas-Gormley went the distance for the Conchs, striking out eight, walking two and surrendering 10 hits. But the game would require more than Lampas-Gormley’s 100-plus pitches and seven innings of service.
At the end of seven, the game was tied up and freshman Kade Maltz stepped in, shutting out the Spartans in the eighth. In inning nine, a single run would score on a sacrifice fly and Key West could not get their bats to cooperate, ending the game 6-5 in favor of the Spartans. Ong and Caden Pichardo registered two hits each and Jackson Bernhard and Holland had one each for six total Conch hits.
The following night, Key West wasted no time exacting revenge. They piled on five runs in the first and kept the pain train coming for the Spartans, sending them back to Tampa in five innings via a mercy-rule win. Roman Garcia drove in five runs off three hits to lead the charge. Maltz tore a triple and a single for two RBIs and Xavier Perez logged a single and double. Darreld Tremino and Jackie Niles each drove in two runs off one hit each and Auggie Davila scored four runs off one hit. Davila and Garcia were both perfect at the plate for the Conchs. Cruz Holmes started on the mound for Key West, pitching three and two-thirds innings. Davila stepped in for one and one-third innings of shutout baseball, closing the door on the Spartans. The win brought the Conchs to 12-8 on the season with some strong competition on the horizon for the final week and a half of the regular season.
MARATHON
In the Middle Keys, Gabe Leal pitched the game of his life on March 24, striking out 11 batters in six strong innings against Somerset Silver Palms. Leal walked one and gave up five hits to keep the Fins in the game until the end. Mason Thornton gave one inning of relief, but three unearned runs would score, fueled by four errors, which cost the Dolphins the ballgame. Marathon’s bats were unusually quiet with just four hits logged, two of which came from Thornton. Leal and Leo Mendez accounted for the other two.
The 3-2 loss showed a marked improvement from the teams’ first goround earlier this season, but was especially hard to swallow as the Fins teeter on the brink of a rankings war in which they could secure an at-large bid to the playoffs. The loss sank their ranking for the week and put the Dolphins in an uphill climb for their first appearance in FHSAA’s Rural 1A classification.
Their district counterpart, the Miners of Fort Meade, hosted the Fins March 27 in a game which gauged Marathon’s abilities against a top-ranked team in their class. Though Marathon lost 6-3, the outing made it clear that the team has what it takes to hang with the best their division has to offer and gives them hope in a possible future matchup with the Miners in the playoffs.
Fort Meade kept the Dolphins off the board for six innings, scoring six of their own runs for a decisive lead. Marathon then went to work in the final inning, where they would log two of their six hits along with a walk and a fielder’s choice to put three runs on the board and narrow the gap. The comeback was too little too late for a Fins win, but Leal and Williams showed their bats could handle the heat with two hits each.
On March 29, the Fins were back on top, beating the Lions in four and a half innings before the rain would put an end to the action. The Dolphins put together two hits and six walks to put their points on the board before the game was called, and Gabe Leal had another great showing on the mound. The senior hurler struck out three, walked one and gave up just one hit to blank the Lions. A perfect defensive showing put an end to any hopes for Westminster. Leal doubled and drove in two runs to lead offensively. Roco Piscetello accounted for the Fins’ other hit and Jason Stubblefield drove in the final run for Marathon.
1. Coral Shores senior AJ Putetti’s bat has been unstoppable this season. He currently leads Florida’s 2A division in runs scored and is batting over .500.
2. Gabe Leal loads up for a pitch against Somerset Silver Palms.
3. Mason Thornton avoids the tag.
4. Hurricane pitcher Donovan Thiery has sent 63 dejected batters back to the dugout, earned five wins and has a 1.63 ERA this season.
5. Key West hurler Jon Carlos LampasGormley threw more than 100 pitches over 7 innings of work against SLAM on March 28.
Photos by Joy Smith, Sean Westerband and Maicey Malgrat.
CLEANING UP
K32 Keys lifters headed for regionals
eys weightlifters descended upon Doctors Charter School on March 26 for the FHSAA 1A District 16 Championships, and what a showing Monroe County lifters had. When the chalk dust cleared, both Keys teams had secured a district championship and five local athletes brought home a total of eight individual titles.
Marathon won a team first-place trophy in both the traditional and Olympic events. The Fins will share the title of Olympic champs with Coral Shores, which tied with Marathon for first place. The teams will now travel with their qualifying individual athletes to Frostproof High School on April 3 for the Class 1A Region 4 event.
and bench press were 165, 225 and 250 pounds, respectively. His closest competitor was district runner-up Aaron Lykins of Coral Shores. Both athletes, as well as Coral Shores’ Tristan Court, qualified for regionals in the traditional event, with Stasiewicz ranked No. 1 in the region. In the Olympic competition, Vitalii Konyk of Marathon will join the trio at regionals, where Stasiewicz is also ranked number one.
To qualify for the next round, only the four district champions in each region are guaranteed a spot at regionals. The other 16 spots are at-large, meaning the top weight totals are calculated from all the other lifters in the region and the top 16 make the cut. When a strong region such as FHSAA’s Region 4, which encompasses South Florida, relies on at-large bids, the second- through fourth-place lifters in each district still have excellent odds. Athletes as far down the district list as sixth and seventh could make the cut.
Marathon had three athletes winning double district titles. Damian Stasiewicz won both the Olympic and traditional events in the 169–pound class. Stasiewicz’s best lifts in the three events of snatch, clean and jerk
In the 183-pound competition, Marathon’s Max Childress brought home double gold. Childress is ranked No. 2 in the region in both events after his best lifts of 175, 255 and 240 pounds in the snatch, clean and jerk and bench. Joining Childress in his weight class at regionals will be Xavier Johnson of Coral Shores and Roland Gonzalez of Marathon in both events plus Coral Shores’ Jackson Garcia in Olympic and Jake Campanioni in traditional.
The Keys’ final double district champ was Tanner Ross, at 199 pounds. Ross’ best lifts were 205 (snatch), 255 (clean & jerk) and 265 (bench). He outlifted his closest competitor by 100 or more pounds in each event. Ross was the top lifter in all weight classes in the Olympic event in which he is tied for first in the regional rankings. He is ranked second in traditional. Joining Ross at the 199-pound
category at regionals will be teammate Isaak Vallejo, who was the runner-up in traditional, plus Coral Shores’ Troy Register and Sebastian Diaz. All four 199-pound athletes will compete in both events.
Matthias Martinez-Velez of the Fins earned a district championship in the traditional event in the 139-pound class and a runner-up medal in Olympic lifts. His top lifts in snatch, clean and jerk and bench were 125, 180 and 215 pounds, respectively. In traditional, he is ranked second, with Coral Shores’ Tyler Bettner right behind him. Bettner was the runner up in traditional lifts and will represent the ’Canes in both events at regionals. Kristers Vutnans of Coral Shores and Connor Malone of Marathon will join them at regionals. The final district champion this year was Eduardo Garcia at 238 pounds. Garcia secured a first in traditional and second in Olympic with a 140-pound snatch, 185-pound clean and 275-pound bench. Mason Aussubel of Coral Shores also made the cut for regionals in both events.
Marathon’s Braulio Garcia (219 pounds) and Coral Shores’ Andrew Grgek (Unlimited) were district runner-ups
Marathon’s Max Childress secured double district championships as Keys lifters swept the floor with the rest of the competition at FHSAA’s 1A District 16 Championships last week. BARRY GAUKEL/ Keys Weekly
1. Hurricane lifter Andrew Grgek secured the district silver medal plus a spot at regionals this week.
2. Marathon’s Roland Gonzalez
3. Marathon’s Tanner Ross
4. Coral Shores’ Jake Campanioni
in their weight classes. Grgek was second in both events while Garcia was second in traditional lifts. Zane Rindom (219) was third in both events and will join Garcia and Chris Paul of Marathon as well as AJ Delgado of Coral Shores in the regional competition. Joining Grgek in the Unlimited class will be Evan Johnston and Trevor Wofsey, both of Marathon.
The rest of the Keys competitors who qualified for the next round of competition are Nick Brown (119), Roger Sandino (129), Kyle Derobertis (129), Kevin Gonzalez (154) and William Roberts (154) of Coral Shores and Erik Wilson (154) of Marathon. Every single Keys athlete who made weight for his district event qualified for regionals in at least one event. At Frostproof, there will be 15 Fins and 17 ’Canes competing for a chance to have their ticket punched to the next round. States will take place on April 12 at Polk County’s RP Funding Center.
REGAN ROTH PUTS THE EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT ON
REMORNA POTTINGER OCHOA
"What I love about working at Regan Roth Insurance is the fact that we work as a team and management truly cares about the staff. It's my home away from home. I look forward to coming to work everyday as we are like one big happy family."
A Keys resident for 23 years, Remorna has been in insurance for 17 years and works as a commercial lines account manager. She has a Bachelor’s of Applied Science Degree in Tourism Management and a Master’s of Science Degree in Higher Education with a major in Curriculum Design and online teaching. When not working, you can nd her dancing, working out at the gym, riding her bike and cooking.
Home, wind and flood. All lines of commercial/business insurance. Boats, autos, golf carts and recreational vehicles
WHIRLWIND VICTORY Hurricanes lacrosse takes down Key West
With district playoffs looming, both of the Keys’ prep lacrosse squads own winning records as the regular season comes to a close.
Coral Shores enjoyed two big wins last week, starting with a district matchup with their closest competitor, Key West. The ’Canes took an early lead and never looked back, winning 8-4 and avenging an earlier single-point loss to the Conchs. James Mitchell netted four goals for Coral Shores. Yandel Chaguaseda scored two while Reed Tudor and Christian Gonzalez accounted for the other two. Zane Martinez was credited
with three assists and Xico Reynoso-Heaton helped out on another. Brock Bynum locked down the Hurricanes’ cage, saving 15 shots from scoring.
The next victim would be the Eagles of North Broward Prep two nights later. Chaguaseda scored four against the Eagles and Tudor added a hat trick and two assists. Gonzalez scored one and had three assists; James Mitchell, Jace Jackson and SG Paul added one each to the team total. Bynum was outstanding again, saving 14. The Hurricanes enter their final week of games prior to district at a respectable 8-5, all but ensuring a winning record this season.
Key West played again on March 28, losing to Westminster Academy at home 12-9, then got back to their winning ways the following night. The Conchs played North Broward Prep in Tavernier, giving the Eagles a break in drive time. The Conchs, now at 7-6 on the season, defeated the Eagles in an exciting 13-12 overtime victory.
Coral Shores and Key West now set their sights on the playoffs, which begin on Wednesday, April 9. The teams compete in FHSAA’s 1A District 16 bracket, a grouping of seven teams, making a third match between the rivals within reason.
The Coral Shores Hurricanes and Key West Conchs lacrosse teams do battle in the Upper Keys on March 26. The ’Canes prevailed 8-4. DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly
HIGH SCORE
Fins prevail in barn-burner Senior Night against Coral Shores
Coral Shores made the quick trip to Marathon on March 28 to take on the Dolphins in a much-anticipated game for fans of offensive softball. The ’Canes piled on eight runs in a wild first inning that included hits on both balls and batters, walks, and the entire Coral Shores lineup taking a turn in the batter’s box, some multiple times. A crafty double play ended the onslaught and the Fins struggled against a locked-in Presley Bagwell, scoring just one run in their first at-bat.
The next two frames would be all Marathon, with seven runs scoring in the second and five more in the third. The ’Canes found their offensive groove again by inning four, but the Dolphins just kept tacking on the runs, ending the game in five innings with a 24-14 result. Marathon scored their two dozen runs off eight hits, 20 walks and four hit batters.
Madelyn Thornton had a triple, a double and three RBIs to lead the offense. Elena Eubank celebrated Senior Night in style with a pair of hits, as did seventh-grader Shaina Robinson. Maeve Merryman and Trinity McLeod each had one. The Hurricanes scored their runs off of six hits, 14 walks and two hit batters. Mira Jones had the hot bat for Coral Shores, registering two hits and three RBIs. Melanie Estevez, Chloie Stanley, Valerie Gabriel and Alex Burson accounted for the rest.
The Marathon game was the only outing for Coral Shores last week, but it was the culmination of three for the Fins. On March 25, Marathon combined 11 hits, 13 walks and two hit batters to pile on 20 runs against the Royal Lions of La Salle, winning 20-4 with the mercy rule in three innings. Merryman had a pair of doubles and five RBIs while Eubank and Robinson matched hits again with a triple and single each. McLeod and Madelyn Thornton each had a pair of base hits and Kaya Hughes-Struyf accounted for the other hit. Sara Robinson and Thornton combined in the circle to strike out four batters, walk three and allow three hits in the lopsided win.
Two days later, they lost against Carrollton 11-4 despite stacking up 13 hits. Dani Perdomo, Eubank, Shaina Robinson, Elianys Roque and
for the
KEY WEST
Shynell McGuire had two apiece, but a half-dozen errors spelled doom for the Fins.
The Lady Conchs were very busy last week, playing four games in as many days and winning three to improve to 9-6. Their first game was at Lourdes Academy, where Key West dispatched the Royal Lions 14-1. Brianna Brenner struck out 11, walked one and surrendered three hits in the win. The Conchs piled on 15 hits, with Aaliyah Mcleod leading the charge. Mcleod’s double and home run led to four RBIs for the freshman. Vera Rodger had a pair of doubles and Brenner and Arianna Garcia each added two base hits to help in the offense.
Next up was Sebastian River, who fell 10-4 to Key West. This time, a different freshman, Lucy Katz, had the hot bat. Katz piled on three hits, then Lilee Gage, Rodger, Alexa Condella and Shylo Sanchez added two apiece for what would amount to 15 total hits. Sanchez added five RBIs to her stats in the win. Brenner was masterful in her pitching
Conch freshman Lucy Katz, right, had three hits against Sebastian River last week. Photos by Maicey Malgrat and Barry Gaukel.
again, striking out 10 batters for Key West.
The Lady Conchs’ final two games of the week came in the form of a doubleheader against John Carroll Catholic on March 29. In game number one, John Carroll held the Conchs to just six hits – two from Sterling and one each from Lilee Gage, Tavyn Gage, Rodger and Kaleya Cervantes. Ryleigh Harnish took over pitching duties, but a hard-hitting John Carroll team racked up 17 hits to beat the Conchs 13-3 in a five-inning mercy-rule decision.
The Lady Conchs came back swinging. John Carroll jumped ahead with a six-run lead, but a patient Key West team waited for their chance and found it in inning three, when they scored five. They added two more in the fifth inning, hanging on to win game two 7-6. Maicee Gage had three hits and Lilee Gage and Mcleod had two each with the team total reaching nine. Brenner completed seven innings of work pitching, striking out four, and despite 15 hits from the Rams, the Conchs’ defense backed Brenner for the win.
Key West freshman Aaliyah McLeod, left went yard last week, registering her first career home run, against Lourdes Academy. Marathon’s Shaina Robinson, middle, a seventh-grader, has amassed 17 hits and 15 RBIs this season
Fins.
TRIUMPH ON THE TRACK
Dejean wins four events as Conchs outscore Coral Shores in track and field
Key West’s track and field teams visited Coral Shores on March 27, handily outscoring the Hurricanes 109-26 in boys events and 96-20 in girls. Senior Jeff Dejean was successful in all four of his events, winning the 200-meter dash in 22.87 seconds and out-jumping his opponents in long jump with a mark of 19’7” and triple jump with a 41’4.5” best. Dejean also ran a leg of the Conchs’ winning 4x100 relay. Shane Lavallee, Walson Morin and Jayden Gist were the other members of that team, with Lavallee also winning the 100-meter race in 11.48 seconds.
Josue Thanus blazed to a 54.75-second first place in the 400 while Prometheus Delacerda made it around the track eight times for a 12:05 first in the 3,200. Rounding out the Conch wins on the track were Davens Azard in the 110 hurdles with a time of 18.80 seconds and Nathan Gasag, who won the 400-meter hurdles in 1:13.30.
Key West’s boys went on to win every single field event, starting with Malachi Telisma with a 6-foot high jump, then Ian Newton with a 14’0.75” pole vault in the jumping events. In throwing, Josh Johnson’s 41’2.5” shot put was good enough for first, as was Noah Mercer’s 133’7” discus throw and Jeremiah Harvey’s 159’10” javelin toss. Coral Shores had two individual event winners, both in distance events. Alaric Rodriguez won the 800-meter race in 2:11 and Jamie Cary finished first in the 1,600-meter run in 5:13.
The Lady Conchs’ Audrey Smith was a three-event winner in a sweep of the throwing events. Smith threw the discus 102’11”, the javelin 117’9” and the shot 28’1.75”. Jordan Greene won the long jump with a leap of 13’11.75” and the triple jump with a 30’11.75” mark. Greene also ran a leg of the winning 4x400 relay race along with Mirakle Humphrey, Alyssandra Camargo and Lilia Mook. Camargo won the 200-meter and 400-meter races in 27.55 seconds and 1:04.16, respectively. Humphrey won the 100 in 13.35 seconds and Mook did double duty on the 4x100 relay team, as well. On that relay, she was joined by Camargo and Humphrey again as well as Ariel Newton, who went on to win the pole vault, clearing 8’8.25”. Emerson Jackson won the 800 in 2:57.4 and Colleen Barter’s 4’7.75” high jump rounded out the Lady Conchs’ first places. Coral Shores had a pair of winners in distance specialist Ali Wheatley, who finished the 1,600 in 5:41, and Julieanna Oddo, who took first in the 100-meter hurdles, with a 20.19-second finish time.
The Fins took the week off from competition, but will host a home meet with the rest of Monroe County’s teams on Thursday, April 3. Districts for Coral Shores and Key West will be April 22 at Tropical Park and April 23 for Marathon at Palmer Trinity School.
Top left: Jeff Dejean won four events at the Key West vs. Coral Shores track meet.
Top right: Coral Shores freshman Ali Wheatley wins the 1,600-meter race by 37 seconds.
Center: Alaric Rodriguez, left, leads teammates Adrik Gadea and Corey Dickerson in the open 800 race. Rodriguez went on to win the event.
Bottom left: Alyssandra Camargo won the 200- and 400-meter races at Coral Shores last week.
Bottom right: Audrey Smith swept the throwing events, winning shot put, javelin and discus.
RICK MACKENZIE/Contributed
SENIOR SUCCESS
Conchs topple ’Canes on celebratory night
Key West celebrated lacrosse Senior Night in style, outscoring the Hurricanes of Coral Shores 17-6. The Conchs honored four seniors, three of whom have been four-year varsity players. Courtney Grabus, Deanna Mercier and Kaitlyn Piloto have been staples on Key West’s roster, while Olivia Moore, who is graduating early, celebrated her first and final year with the Lady Conchs.
Key West coach Marissa Giacopuzzi was delighted to snap out of the team’s two-game slump.
“(The) girls got their groove back,” she said. “Everyone showed up big for their seniors.”
Grabus and Moore, who split time in goal, combined for seven saves. Grabus added four ground balls, a caused turnover and her first career assist, playing in the field while Moore secured the net. Mercier scored five goals and assisted two others, winning six draw controls as well. Piloto scored five, won five draw controls and caused a turnover. Junior Colbie Turner added to the action, netting four goals and four draw control wins and causing a pair of turnovers.
Coral Shores put together an admirable offensive effort, with Adelynn McNew and Shay Stober scoring three apiece and Allegra Fucaraccio adding one goal for the Hurricanes. On March 28, Archbishop McCarthy paid a visit to the Backyard, but a shorthanded Conchs squad was not able to avenge an early-season loss against the Mavericks. The 5-7 Conchs and 0-8 ’Canes complete their regular seasons this week and begin district bracket play on Wednesday, April 9.
Top, from left: Seniors Courtney Grabus, Kaitlyn Piloto and Deanna Mercier have been on the Lady Conchs’ roster for four seasons. Above, senior Olivia Moore made a positive impact in her only year with the Conchs. Photos by Doug Finger and Maicey Malgrat
• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES •
FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of Key West Dance Tribe located at 35 Dondi Road, Key West, FL 33040, intends to register said name with the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.
By: Kelsey Lynn Eckerson
Publish: April 3, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE
Please take notice that in accordance with Florida Statute 328.17, Robbies of Key West, LLC claims a possessory lien on the following described vessels: Owned by Phillip Northcutt for unpaid storage fees: a 1974 Coronado Yachts 35’ Sailboat “Starship” HIN: CYNA01840174
Owned by Eric Desantis for unpaid storage fees: a 1972 Morgan 36.5’ Sailboat “Southern Aire” HIN: 623721
Owned by David Vance for unpaid storage fees: a 1984 Hunter 31.3’ Sailboat “Zephyr” HIN: HUN31366G484
Sealed bids will be accepted on April 18th, 2025 at Robbies of Key West, 7281 Shrimp Rd, Key West Fl 33040. Robbies of Key West, LLC reserves the right to reject any and all bids.
Publish: April 3 & 10, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE
MONROE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Notice of Sale of Surplus Vehicles
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office will be auctioning off a multiple surplus vehicles and equipment via sealed bids. All bids must be received by 10:00am on Wednesday April 16th, 2025. The bids will be opened publicly on Wednesday at 10:30am on April 16th, 2025. A list of vehicles to be sold may be viewed on our website; www.keysso.net/ auction.
Vehicle list is subject to change. Bidding instructions and required bid forms are available on the website or can be picked up at the Sheriff’s Office Headquarters building 1st floor reception, or by contacting: Michael Cabot, MCSO Fleet Manager Phone- (305) 293-7477 Cell- (305) 797-0115 Monroe County Sheriff’s Office 5525 College Road Key West, FL 33040 The Property to be sold is open to the public for inspection at the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office,
Headquarters building at 5525 College Road, Key West, FL 33040 on the following dates and times below:
April 8th, 2025 8:00am –10:00am
April 10th, 2025 2:00pm –
4:00pm
The Sheriff’s Office makes no representation or guarantee of mechanical condition.
All sales are, as is, no warranty. All sales are final. Vehicle List is subject to change.
Publish: March 27 & April 3, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, THAT THE CITY OF KEY COLONY BEACH WILL BE HOLDING PUBLIC HEARINGS ON:
DATE/TIME:
Planning & Zoning Hearing: Wednesday, April 16th, 2025, 9:30 A.M. City Commission Public Hearing: Thursday, May 15th, 2025, 9:30 A.M.
LOCATION:
City of Key Colony Beach City Hall Auditorium ‘Marble Hall’
600 W. Ocean Drive, Key Colony Beach, Florida 33051, To hear a Variance Request from Melanie L. Lyden, representative of the Melanie L. Richards Revocable Trust, for the property at 240 9th Street, Key Colony Beach, Florida 33051. This meeting will be available via Zoom Meetings. Members of the public who wish to attend virtually may email the City Clerk at cityclerk@ keycolonybeach.net or call 305-289-1212, Ext. 2 for further instructions on attending via Zoom Meetings. The applicant requests a variance to the City of Key Colony Beach Land Development Regulations, Article IV, Sec. 101-26 (11a), for the installation of a residential pool that would encroach into the side setback by 5 feet. This variance is sought to accommodate an existing condition and enable an extension of the pool. Interested parties may attend the Hearing and be heard with respect to the requested variance.
If any person decides to appeal any decision made by the City Commission of the City of Key Colony Beach with respect to any matter considered at the Variance Hearing, that person will need a record of the proceedings and for such purpose may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.
If you are unable to attend the Hearings on Wednesday,
April 16th, 2025, or Thursday, May 15th, 2025, but wish to comment, please direct correspondence to the City Clerk at P.O. Box 510141, Key Colony Beach, FL 33051, or via email at cityclerk@ keycolonybeach.net, and your comments will be entered into the record. Published: On or before April 7th, 2025 City Clerk, City of Key Colony Beach
Publish: April 3, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF COUNTY ORDINANCE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN that on April 16, 2025, at 9:00 A.M. or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, at the Marathon Government Center, 2798 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Florida, the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida, intends to consider adopting the following ordinance: AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY AMENDING MONROE COUNTY CODE TO REFLECT CHANGES TO THE TABLE OF ORGANIZATION INCLUDING AMENDING SECTION 1-2 TO CLARIFY THE DEFINITION OF THE TERM “DEPARTMENT HEAD” AND TO ELIMINATE THE CURRENT REQUIREMENTS THAT THE VETERANS AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT HEADS DIRECT REPORT TO THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF ALL ORDINANCES INCONSISTENT HEREWITH; PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION INTO THE MONROE COUNTY CODE; PROVIDING FOR FILING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
The proposed ordinance may be inspected by the public at the Monroe County website by viewing the agenda packet for the April 16, 2025, meeting, which will be posted beginning on April 11, 2025 at: http://monroecountyfl. iqm2.com/citizens/default. aspx. The ordinance may also be viewed at the Monroe County Attorney’s office at 1111 12th St. Ste. 408 Key West, FL 33040. The public can participate in the April 16, 2025, meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, FL by attending in person or via Zoom. The Zoom link can be found in the agenda at http:// monroecountyfl.iqm2.com/ citizens/default.aspx.
MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING: APRIL 16, 2025
At the regularly scheduled Board of County Commissioners Meeting on Wednesday April 16, 2025, at 9:00 a.m., or as soon thereafter as may be heard, Monroe County is providing information to the County Commission and the community regarding the closeout of the Voluntary Home Buyout Program.
The meeting will be held at the Marathon Government Center, BOCC Chambers, located at 2798 Overseas Highway, 2nd Floor, Marathon, FL 33050. Members of the public may attend in person or via Zoom webinar. More information is available at www.monroecounty-fl.gov/695/BOCC-Meetings-Agendas
ADA ASSISTANCE: If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodations in order to participate in this proceeding, please contact the County Administrator's Office, by phoning 305-292-4441, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., no later than five (5) calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call “711”.
ADA ASSISTANCE: If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodations in order to participate in this proceeding, please contact the County Administrator’s Office, by phoning (305) 292-4441, between the hours of 8:30a.m.—5:00p.m., prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voiceimpaired, call “711”. Live Closed-Captioning is available via our web portal @ http:// monroecountyfl.iqm2.com/ Citizens/Default.aspx for meetings of the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners.
Dated at Key West, Florida, this 29th day of March, 2025. KEVIN MADOK, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Ex Officio Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida
Publish: April 3, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
PROBATE DIVISION
FILE NO.: 25-CP-97-M DIVISION: MARATHON IN RE: ESTATE OF DONALD ROBERT BRASWELL Deceased.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The administration of the estate of Donald Robert Braswell, deceased, whose date of death was February 17, 2025, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 3117 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.
The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent's death by the decedent or the decedent's surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216-732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes.
All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.
The date of first publication of this notice is: April 3, 2025.
Personal Representative: James Gary Braswell
670 E. Riverside Dr. Bastrop, TX 78602
Attorney for Personal Representative: Robert K. Miller, Esq.
Attorney Florida Bar Number: 359173 Cunningham Miller Rhyne PA 10075 Overseas Hwy PO Box 500938 Marathon, FL 33050
Telephone: (305) 743-9428
Fax: (305) 743-8800
E-Mail: service@ floridakeyslaw.com
Secondary E-Mail: rmiller@ floridakeyslaw.com
Publish:
April 3 & 10, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 25-CP-000115-P
DIVISION: PROBATE IN RE: ESTATE OF RICHARD KEITH CELMER Deceased.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The administration of the estate of Richard Keith Celmer, deceased, whose date of death was January 29, 2025, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88770 Overseas Highway, Plantation Key, FL 33070. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.
All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.
The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent's death by the decedent or the decedent's surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216-732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes.
All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.
The date of first publication of this notice is: March 27, 2025.
Personal Representative: Carly Falgout 200 Coral Road Islamorada, Florida 33036
Attorney for Personal Representative: Brian C. Perlin
Attorney Florida Bar Number: 357898
Law Office of Brian C. Perlin, P.A. 201 Alhambra Circle, Suite 503 Coral Gables, FL 33134
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
DIVISION: PROBATE
FILE NO.: 2024-CP-433-M IN RE: ESTATE OF
KATHLEEN E. POWELL A/K/A KATHLEEN ELAINE POWELL
Deceased.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The administration of the estate of Kathleen E. Powell a/k/a Kathleen Elaine Powell, deceased, whose date of death was December 3, 2023, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 3117 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Florida 33050. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA PROBATE CODE WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.
The date of first publication of this notice is March 27, 2025. The date of the second publication of this notice is April 3, 2025.
Personal Representative: Valerie Powell Brown 200 Trenton Street Cambridge, MD 21613 Attorney for Personal Representative: Anthony J. Barrows Attorney for Personal Representative Florida Bar Number: 662569 WRIGHT BARROWS PLLC 9711 Overseas Highway Marathon, FL 33050 Telephone: (305) 743-8118 Fax: (305) 489-0307 E-mail: Tony@keysclosings. com Publish: March 27 & April 3, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 16TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 25-DR-349-K DEON ROBINSON, Petitioner, and ANTTWON JEWSOME, Respondent. NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE (NO CHILD OR FINANCIAL SUPPORT) TO: ANTTWON JEWSOME RESPONDENT’S LAST KNOWN ADDRESS: 1213 14TH STREET, LOT 184, KEY WEST, FL 33040 YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action for Dissolution of Marriage has been filed against you and that you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on Deon Robinson, whose address is 1213 14th Street, Lot 184, Key West, FL 33040 on or before May 31, 2025, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040, before service on Petitioner or immediately thereafter. If you fail to do so, a default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the petition. The action is asking the court to decide how the following real or personal property
should be divided: N/A Copies of all court documents in this case, including orders, are available at the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office. You may review these documents upon request. You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office notified of your current address. (You may file Designation of Current Mailing and E-Mail Address, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.915.) Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed or e-mailed to the address(es) on record at the clerk’s office. WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, requires certain automatic disclosure of documents and information. Failure to comply can result in sanctions, including dismissal or striking of pleadings.
Dated: March 26, 2025 Kevin Madok, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Destiny Johnson Deputy Clerk Publish: April 3, 10, 17 & 24, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 16TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 25-DR-315-K MONIKA BANDOVA, Petitioner, and MICHAEL DAVID CARBON, Respondent.
NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE (NO CHILD OR FINANCIAL SUPPORT) TO: MICHAEL DAVID CARBON RESPONDENT’S LAST KNOWN ADDRESS: UNKNOWN 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 Monika Bandova, whose address is 3 Casa Roma Lane, Apt. 3, Key West, FL 33040 on or before April 28, 2025, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 530 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040, before service on Petitioner or immediately thereafter. If you fail to do so, a default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the petition. The action is asking the court to decide how the following real or personal property should be divided: N/A Copies of all court documents in this case, including orders, are available at the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office. You may review these documents upon request. You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office notified of your current address. (You may file Designation of Current Mailing and E-Mail Address, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.915.) Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed or e-mailed to the address(es) on record at the clerk’s office. WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, requires certain automatic disclosure of documents and information. Failure to comply can result in sanctions, including dismissal or striking of pleadings.
Dated: March 17, 2025 Kevin Madok, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Shonta McLeod
Deputy Clerk
Publish: March 27 and April 3, 10 & 17, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
CIVIL DIVISION
CASE NO.: 25-CA-0291-K
BANKS G. PREVATT, PATTY L. PEERY-PREVATT and JILL NOTTKE, Plaintiffs, vs. LITTLE TORCH PROPERTIES, INC.,(A DISSOLVED FLORIDA CORPORATION),JOSEPH PARDO, AS RECEIVER OF LITTLE TORCH PROPERTIES, INC.,(DECEASED), AND ALL UNKNOWN PERSONS OR BUSINESS ENTITIES HAVING OR CLAIMING TO HAVE ANY RIGHT, TITLE, OR INTEREST IN THE DISPUTED PROPERTY IN THIS CASE, WHETHER THROUGH OR DERIVED FROM LITTLE TORCH PROPERTIES INC., OR OTHERWISE, Defendants. ___________ / NOTICE OF ACTION TO QUIET TITLE
To: LITTLE TORCH PROPERTIES, INC., (A DISSOLVED FLORIDA CORPORATION), C/O JOSEPH PARDO (DECEASED), AS RECEIVER OF LITTLE TORCH PROPERTIES, INC., AND ALL UNKNOWN PERSONS OR BUSINESS ENTITIES HAVING, OR CLAIMING TO HAVE, ANY RIGHT, TITLE, OR INTEREST IN THE DISPUTED PROPERTY IN THIS CASE, WHETHER THROUGH OR DERIVED FROM LITTLE TORCH PROPERTIES INC., OR OTHERWISE, YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action to quiet title of the following described property in the Circuit Court of Monroe County, Key West Division, has been filed against you and you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to Kevin Hoyes, of Kevin Hoyes Attorney, P.A, at 422 Fleming Street, Key West, Florida, 33040, Phone (305) 731 3349 (Plaintiffs Attorney), on or before DATE: April 28, 2025, and file the original with the Clerk of this Court either before service on the Plaintiffs' attorney or immediately thereafter, including your full name and address; otherwise a default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint.
The Property at issue in this case is formally described as follows:
1. The disputed property lies at the rear of 141 Pirates Road, Little Torch Key, is of a size of approximately 750 square Feet, has a parcel ID number of 00215471-000000 (and an Alternate Key Number of 9036754) according to the Monroe County Property Appraiser's website.
2. The upland property is also more fully described (according to a survey dated February 19, 2025 by Reece & Associates (of 31193 Avenue A, Big Pine Key, FL. 33043), as follows:
Parcel 1
A portion of the northerly 25 feet of Lot 30, Block 1 of Jolly Roger Estates, according to the Plat thereof as recorded in Plat Book 5, Page 34, of the public records of Monroe County, Florida, and being more particularly described by metes and bounds as follows:
Commence at Southwest corner of Lot 30, Block 1 of Jolly Roger Estates, Plat book 5, Page 34, thence bear N00°00'00"E along the west line of said Lot 30 and the east right-of-way line of Pirates Road, as shown on said Plat, for a distance of 85 feet to the point of beginning.
Thence, continue N00°00'00"E for a distance of 10.22 Feet to a point on the edge of an existing canal and the intersection of the westerly projection of an existing concrete seawall; Thence leaving said right of way line, bear S89°54'0l"E along said canal edge and seawall for a distance of 24.32 feet to a point on the northwest corner of an existing boat basin; Thence bear S00°40'33"W for
a distance of 10.18 feet to a point that is 25 feet south of and parallel to the north line of said Lot 30, Block 1; Thence bear N90°00'00"W, along said line, for a distance of 24.44 feet back to the point of the beginning.
Together with Parcel 2
A portion of the northerly 25 feet of Lot 30, Block 1, Jolly Roger Estates, according to the Plat thereof as recorded in Plat Book 5, Page 34, of the public records of Monroe County, Florida, and being more particularly described by metes and bounds as follows:
Commence at Southwest corner of Lot 30, Block 1 of Jolly Roger Estates, Plat book 5, Page 34, thence bear N00°00'00"E along the west line of said Lot 30 and the east right-of-way line of Pirates Road, as shown on said Plat, for a distance of 85 feet to a point of intersection with a line that is 25 feet south of and parallel to the north line of said Lot 30, Block 1; then bear S90°00'00''E, along said line, for a distance of 49.60 to a point on the east line of an existing boat basin and the point of beginning.
Thence, bear N00°55'28", along said basin, for a distance of 9.73 feet to the northwest corner thereof, said corner also being on the face of an existing concrete seawall on the southerly side of an existing canal; Thence S89°06'33"E, along said seawall, for a distance of 50.24 feet to a point on line of said lot 30; Thence bear S00°00'00"W, along said east line for a distance of 8.95 feet to s point that is 25 feet south of and parallel to the north line of said Lot 30, Block 1; Thence bear N90°00'00"W, along said line, for as distance of 50.39 feet back to the point of the beginning. Containing 469.85 Sq. Ft., more or less. If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact Cheryl Alfonso, ADA Coordinator, 302 Fleming Street, Key West, Florida 33040; (305) 292-3423, at least 7 days before your scheduled court appearance, or immediately upon receiving this notification if the time before the scheduled appearance is less than 7 days; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call 711.
Dated: March 17, 2025 Kevin Madok, Clerk of the Court for Circuit Court of Monroe County Key West, Florida By: Shonta McLeod As Deputy Clerk Publish: March 27 and April 3, 10 & 17, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers
AUTOS WANTED
AUTOS ALL YEARS! Junk or Used Cars, Vans, Trucks. Runs or Not.$CASH 305-332-0483
AUTOS FOR SALE
Your Classified Auto For Sale ad here for $25/week for up to five lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today!
BOATS FOR SALE
21' Key Largo Deep V Center Console w/ trailer. New 150hp motor & electronics. Great Deal - PRICE REDUCED TO $20,000. Located in Marathon. 201-696-8906
19’x40’ slip in Marathon, could handle somewhat larger boat with approval from dockmaster. Desirable location in marina, easy in, easy out. Electricity, available, free water, pump out, WiFi. Available 1 May 25 thru Oct 25, possibly long term lease. Please contact Vern Rozier, 904 626 5279, or 904 626 8224 and leave call back info. Or email vrrozier@yahoo.com.
Boat Dockage for rent in Marathon. Private bay bottom, up to 40' boat, self containing, offshore water, car & dingy parking space provided. 305-610-8002
EMPLOYMENT
ALL KEYS GUTTER HIRING INSTALLERS $25/$35hrMajor Holidays Off - Benefits - Tavernier. Apply: call or text Jay 305-587-1581
Night Monitor – FREE Private Room in exchange for overnight availability at our Assisted Living Facility. 5 nights on, 5 nights off 10pm-8am plus weekly stipend, Drug & background screen required. www.westcare. com/join-our-team/
HELP WANTED: Two Conchs in Marathon is now hiring a Full Time Retail Sales Person in our Tackle Shop/Marina. Competitive wages. Contact George 305-289-0199
Full time office position with strong computer skills, KCB Condominium, $78K per yr., apply by e-mail to HardingThomasL@aol.com, text or call 734-476-0531.
Part Time Supervisor/ Housekeeper Position Available Immediately in Key Colony Beach. Hours may vary depending on need including weekends. Responsibilities include oversee housekeeping staff, inspecting rooms prior to guest occupancy, making up laundry bags, cleaning rooms, etc. Physical demands: ability to lift and carry laundry bags ~ 35 lb. **Must have reliable transportation** Please call/text or email to discuss pay and to request application. Michelle - 952-208-2850 Cheryl -305-505-8747
All Keys Yamaha hiring a Technician Marine Repair specializing in Yamaha outboard engines. Also
hiring: Retail Parts/Counter Help - Marine outboard knowledge a plus. Quickbook experience a plus. Hours M-F 8a5p for both positions. Apply in person at 2001 Overseas Highway, Marathon. 305-743-3530
Marathon Yacht Club is hiring a part-time bookkeeper. QuickBooks experience required. Must provide photo ID, social security card or passport, and checking account. Email office@ marathonyachtclub.com to schedule an interview.
Marathon Yacht Club is hiring a part-time line cook. Private club, friendly atmosphere. Flexible lunch/ dinner shifts available Tuesday – Saturday, some Sundays. English proficiency required. Must provide photo ID, social security card or passport, and checking account. Email office@ marathonyachtclub.com to schedule an interview.
The Housing Authority of the City of Key West now hiring for the following positions: Resident Care Supervisor with min. 3 yrs. experience of an LPN, Carpenter-FT-KeyWest, Housing Manager- FTMarathon, Maintenance Mechanic (Maintenance Worker. To apply, please contact Human Resources at: wrightk@kwha.org or 305-296-5621 ext. 224. Applications are available at the Administrative Office located at 1400 Kennedy Dr., Key West, FL 33040 or online at www. kwha.org - EOE & Drug Free Work Place. This opportunity is covered under Section 3 of the HUD Act of 1968.
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.
Your Classified Employment ad here for $25/week for up to five lines of copy. Call 305-7430844 today!
We are hiring for a new Walking and Running Store in Islamorada and Marathon, WALK HERE RUN HERE.
PRIVATE COLLECTOR
WANTS Rolex, Dive Watches and Pilot Watches. Old Model Military Clocks & Watches. Call 305-743-4578
HOUSING FOR RENT
Available Now, Stock Island near CVS. Traveling nurses/Working professionals only. No pets, smokers or drugs. Gated, safe, quiet, has parking and a pool. Fully furnished room w/private bath, smart TV, washer/dryer. House and kitchen privileges always, w/fridge and cabinet space. Monthly rent $1550.00 All Included. First and Last due at move in time. Call 305-797-5600
2BR/1.5BA Mobile on canal in Key Largo. Singlewide, unfurn, w/40' dockdavits. No pets. $2,500/ mo + $2,500 security. References needed. 616-813-9755
Downstairs apartment of a duplex to rent to 1 person (no pets). Large living room/bedroom and separate kitchen. Large screened porch with its own washer/dryer and driveway. Utilities include wifi/tv. 150 ft to the ocean. MM 96 Key Largo $1600/ month. F/L/S 305-853-3779
Your Classified Housing For Rent ad here for $25/week for up to five lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today!
1 upstairs bedroom for rent in Grassy Key (East Marathon). Unfurnished. Mostly private bathroom with shared W/D. Other upstairs occupants are the homeowners: A probation officer, his wife, and their very small dog. $1200/ month F/S 305-393-5049
Rental in Marathon: 4/2 pool waterfront tiki bar home with dock for up to 50 ft. Steps to Sombrero Beach, ocean in under 10 mins. Seasonal or annual. Furnished. Thania Moses, MBA & Realtor 954.683.2150
Studio House with Queen size bed available in Marathon. Furnished, kitchen, dining, newly renovated. No pets. $1,299 + utilities F/L/S 305-610-8002
Your Classified Housing For Rent ad here for $25/week for up to five lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today!
1BR/1BA fully furnished Apt. for rent in Marathon. Ideally one person. On canal w/boat lift, W/D, Wifi. $1,950/mo. 850-376-7137 RENTED IN THREE WEEKS!
RV SITE FOR RENT
RV Site For Rent in Marathon. Very quiet, gated property. Dockage available for sep. fee. No pets. 305-610-8002
Please fax your resume to 305-852-9997 or call 305-852-9898
Key West House For Rent - 28 day minimum. Recently renovated. 2 Units: 3BR/3BA or 2BR/2.5BA. 1 block to Schooner Wharf @ Historic Seaport. Starting $214/night. Sweet CarolineSeaport.com
YARD SALES
THE YARD SALE! If you don't see something you want, consult your Optometrist & then come back. Fri April 4 - Sun April 6 from 8AM - 4PM 565 Copa D'Oro, Marathon
SARA’S ESTATE SALE: Part 1 of 2: Y’all we’re starting with a FULL twocar garage in Marathon on Fri, April 4 and Sat, April 5 from 9a to 1p, both days, 2691 Sombrero Blvd, Marathon. Fishing rods & reels, Big Green Egg, NAPA battery charger, dive buoys, long dock box, line & diver flags. Vintage (some NIB) Craftsman tools like bandsaw, planer & 2 tool chests and Makita electric handtools. Plus gas cans, Christmas ornaments, men & women’s golf clubs, bike, beach chairs, coolers and garden supplies. Follow the signs and park with consideration (DO NOT PARK on Golf course side of the street). More photos at estatesales.net.
Place your Classified Yard Sale ad here for $25/week for up to five lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today!
MARINE OPERATIONS SPECIALIST AT FIU’S AQUARIUS REEF BASE
Join our dedicated Florida International University team that provides offshore logistical and emergency response support to the Medina Aquarius Program. We maintain and operate all underwater laboratory equipment and boats, monitor Life Support Systems, and coordinate diving activities as we assist scientists and clients in achieving their underwater research objectives.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Service, maintain, and operate underwater laboratory equipment support systems, ensuring functionality of critical safety equipment.
- Assist divers with underwater tasks such as experiment placement and data collection.
- Provide shore-based logistical support for Aquarius diving and boating operations, ensuring equipment is ready for missions.
- Serve as Captain of the ARB research vessel and as a USCG Captain for passenger vessels during operations.
REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
- High School Diploma with 3 years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- SCUBA diving certi cation and the ability to pass a Diving Physical Exam within 90 days of hire.
- General knowledge of diesel inboard boat operation and maintenance.
- Certi cations in CPR, Automatic External De brillator, First Aid, and Oxygen Administration, Current USCG License 6 Passenger. For further information or to apply, please visit careers. u.edu and reference Job Opening ID# 534641. The position is open until lled; we will begin reviewing applications April 15, 2025.
NOW HIRING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IT DIRECTOR
Manages the IT department and other technical operations within the City Government providing day to day support. Their main duties include identifying the organization’s IT needs, adding updates and enhancements to current computer systems and ensuring employees’ technical issues are resolved efficiently.
Researches and responds to technical questions regarding the operation of computing system functions. Works with the existing security and IT services provider to ensure accurate billing and IT needs are being met.
Extensive knowledge in computer systems and Microsoft application and operating system software required. Additional experience using proprietary software, such as ESRI ArcGIS, VueWorks, and/or other work-flow management software tools is helpful. Relevant experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis. Prior experience with similar hardware, software, and network systems and familiarity with local government information system is desirable.
Please see the online post on our website for additional details. www.ci.marathon.fl.us/jobs
SOLAR SALES FOR SALT ENERGY, LLC. - Dynamic, local company looking for good people to grow with us. Located in Marathon, we have been engineering, installing and servicing solar energy systems in the Keys, South Florida and Caribbean for over 30 years. We are looking for a Team player with a great attitude, excellent communication and sales skills, who is excited to share the benefits of solar energy. Initially, this position will be representing the residential and small commercial sector of the company, focused primarily in the Florida Keys.
RESPONSIBILITIES
• Visit customers’ homes to perform site surveys and provide tailored solar solutions.
• Prepare and deliver compelling sales proposals and negotiate terms to close deals.
• Communicate and collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless project implementation and complete customer satisfaction.
REQUIREMENTS
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to build rapport with customers.
• Self-motivated, target-driven and able to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Results-oriented mindset with a focus on delivering an outstanding customer experience.
• Strong understanding of solar energy systems and industry best practices, preferred.
EDUCATION: High school diploma required. College degree in business or communication preferred.
JOB TYPE: Full-time. WORK LOCATION: In person.
PAY: Base pay plus bonus commissions. Benefits: 401(k) matching, PTO.
SALT Energy, LLC., 2992 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050. Send resume and cover letter to Lisak@saltenergy.net.
NOW HIRING!
e Turtle Hospital in Marathon wants you to join their team!
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM GUIDES/GIFT SHOP SALES
Full and part-time. Public speaking and & retail sales experience helpful. $19/hour to start. Send resume to: turtlehospital@turtlehospital.org
NOW HIRING
HVAC TECH WANTED
Upper Keys position, reporting in Tavernier. Full time job with benefits, vacation time, and holidays.
Apply at keysschools.com or call 305-293-1400 ext. 53398
Key West, Florida, is accepting applications for the following position in its Engineering Department:
Starting pay rate for this position, depending on qualifications and experience: $131,081/annually$134,751/annually
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.
HIRING
Call 305-407-3262 or email info@floridakeysaquariumencounters.com 11710 OVERSEAS HWY, MARATHON
DESK
The Advocate Program DUI school is hiring for part time positions. Front desk: 3 days a week, high school diploma required.
DUI instructors and evaluators: 2 days a week, Bachelors or Masters degree in substance abuse eld required. Of ce located in Marathon. Contact Marcia at 305-704-0117.
DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER is a fun, environmentally friendly non-profit 501(c)(3) Corporation specializing in education, research, and rescue of marine mammals.
We have the following openings available. Scan the QR code to visit the careers page on our website.
FACILITIES MAINTENANCE
APPRENTICE
(Full-Time, Permanent)
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
OPENINGS AVAILABLE
PHYSICIAN PRACTICE OPENINGS
- Advanced Practice Provider (APRN-PA-C)Surgical, Ortho, Tavernier
- Medical Assistant, Primary Care Marathon, $5k Bonus
(Full-Time, Part-Time, Permanent)
DRC seeks to provide for the well-being of its employees by offering a competitive total package. DRC currently offers a 401k retirement plan, medical benefits, HSA account, paid holidays, vacation, sick and an employee assistance program. DRC also provides life and disability insurance at no cost to the employee.
COME JOIN THE FAMILY!
Email your resume and a DRC application to drc-hr@dolphins.org. EOE
- Registered Nurse, Multispecialty Care, $25k Bonus
- Social Work Case Manager, Case Management, $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.
Behavioral Health Counselor (Children) Advocate
MARATHON Care Coordinator (PT)
Driver – PT (CDL not required)
RN/Licensed Practical Nurse (PT)
Behavioral Health Therapist (Adult)
*Behavioral Health Technicians – 3 shifts (FT/PT)
*Support Worker (Assisted
MARATHON GARBAGE SERVICE
SUPPORTED LIVING COACH (FT)
Responsibilities include management of developmentally disabled clients in independent living environments, management of office and in-home support staff. Must be available for some evenings and weekends. Bachelor’s degree in related field or experience working with developmentally disabled clients in lieu of degree. Must have a valid FL driver’s license. Salary commensurate with experience.*
GROUP HOME MANAGER FT KEY WEST
FT administrative, salaried position. Responsible for operations of Group Homes in accordance with State and Fed regulations. Oversight of staff and clients. Bachelor’s degree and Florida DL w/clean driving record req. At least 2 years of mgmt and admin experience req, and direct or comparable experience w/same or similar population preferred. Computer skills: moderate to advanced.*
DIRECT CARE STAFF – NIGHTS/WEEKENDS - GROUP HOMES 24/7 (FT)
These positions are available at our Windsor and Von Phister Group Homes. Providing direct-care services and support to our clients in their home. Must be willing to work flexible shifts including overnights. This position requires a minimum of high school completion or GED and 1 year of experience with care giving or 30 hours of college coursework.*
*ALSO REQUIRED FOR ALL POSITIONS
Fluent in English language, speaking and writing, proficiency is a must. Level 2 background screening and valid Florida driver’s license. EOE
