Upper Keys Weekly 25-0703

Zephyr Cove

Located on the breathtaking waterfront nestled along the Gulf and designed and built by D'Asign Source. This stunning estate invites you to experience the perfect balance of luxury, tranquility, and adventure. With both fresh and saltwater elements woven into its design, every detail has been thoughtfully crafted. At the heart of the property lies a lazy river loop infinity pool, complete with bridges, swim-up pool bar in gazebo, spa with table, lap pool, beach-style entries, and waterfall grotto plus gas fire pit, putting green, and tropical gardens. The grand main residence vaunts an impressive private primary wing and elegant open spaces designed for comfort and entertainment. Indoor amenities include a temperature-controlled wine room, game room, home theater, fitness center, and conference room; endless ways to unwind and enjoy life. Two additional charming two-bedroom villas and a separate two-bedroom guest house are perched next door, perfect for hosting family and friends with style and privacy. Designed for the ultimate coastal lifestyle with outdoor kitchen and dining areas set against breathtaking Gulf views, ideal for entertaining or simply soaking in the beauty of your surroundings. Ample dockage and multiple boat lifts for your toys, located right between Vaca cut and Tom's Harbor Cut for easy Ocean access. Expansive garages and storage spaces provide ample room for vehicles, boats, and all essentials. Whole-home 130kw generator in its own private structure, ensuring peace of mind no matter the season. Step into a world where the beauty of nature meets unparalleled craftsmanship and let the magic of the Gulf welcome you home. 15 min to private airport.

89240 Overseas Hwy. Suite 2

Tavernier, FL 33070

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On July 4, 2026, America will celebrate an important milestone in the country’s history — 250 years of independence. Commonly known as the Fourth of July, the federal holiday in the United States commemorates the ratification of the Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, establishing the United States of America.

NOW UP TO PLATE: FOUNDERS PARK BALLFIELD UPGRADES

Farmer Jeanne Selander, of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Animal Farm, shows a young alligator to kids during a visit at the Islamorada library on June 26. DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly

School board approves conceptual design; residents voice input

JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

Upgrades planned for the Founders Park baseball field, including the proposed installation of artificial turf to replace grass, received school board backing at a June 24 meeting at Coral Shores High School.

The same night, a village workshop at Founders Park heard a number of residents providing their take on an estimated $6.1 million project led by the school district. What began as a discussion surrounding a master plan for the whole park eventually zeroed in on the proposed plans for the ballfield, with input from residents. Specifically, school board members unanimously supported a conceptual drawing by Keystar Inc. detailing various enhancements to a field owned by the village. It serves as the home to the Coral Shores baseball program. Last season, the varsity baseball team finished 19-5 and won a district title.

Plans show the field, currently composed of grass and dirt, being replaced by artificial turf. The conceptual drawing also shows an

800-square-foot, two-story press box and concession facility and elevated aluminum grandstands with covering. A home dugout would be constructed, to include a player locker room, coach’s office, space for umpires and team storage. A new dugout would also be built for visiting teams.

The backstop and batter boxes would be moved up roughly 22 feet to address issues of foul balls potentially reaching traffic on U.S. 1.

School district and village officials agreed no trees will be removed as part of the upgrades.

Also, none of the proposed improvements will proceed without support from the Village of Islamorada. Meetings held June 24 initiated a process of consideration, input and approvals from the district and village.

“This is the first step. It has to go to many meetings and we made it very clear it’s a partnership,” said Village Manager Ron Saunders to kick off the village’s public input session for the ballfield improvements, as requested by council members. “The school board and village council must agree before anything happens. Nothing can happen without agreement.”

Pat Lefere, school district executive director of planning and operations, told school board members approval of a conceptual plan would lead to a more detailed schematic plan, development design and construction documents.

“Each step would require approval from both the school board and the village,” Lefere said.

Artificial turf a key topic

The move is expected to address a rough playing surface that’s caused player injuries in past years. Doug Mientkiewicz played 12 seasons as a major league baseball player. A World Series winner with the Boston Red Sox in 2004, Mientkiewicz served as a coach for Coral Shores baseball for the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

During the village workshop, he said his son “blew his knee out” playing on the baseball field doing nothing more than running. His son ended up transferring to Key West to play baseball as Mientkiewicz said he wouldn’t put him back on the field to jeopardize his playing career.

The baseball field at Founders Park in Islamorada serves as the Coral Shores High School baseball team’s home field. The school district approved a conceptual plan for proposed improvements, including installing artificial turf, at a June 24 meeting. FILE PHOTO

DESANTIS AXES FUNDS FOR KEYS KIDS’ HEALTH & DENTAL SERVICES

Legislative budget allocated almost $1 million for Keys AHEC

JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

Budget vetoes of more than $560 million by Gov. Ron DeSantis affected vital services for Florida Keys children.

Before signing the $115 billion budget on June 30 in Wildwood, DeSantis cut a number of line items in the legislatively-approved spending plan. Nearly $1 million was tossed out of the budget by DeSantis for a Florida Keys nonprofit providing comprehensive medical and dental care for local school-age children.

Keys AHEC initially submitted a request to the state Legislature for $975,000 to continue its work providing dental services, including cleanings, sealings and X-rays, as well as health services, including physicals ahead of the school year for children in the Keys.

Keys AHEC’s medical clinics had nearly 6,000 visits, while its dental clinic had 3,431 visits during the 202324 school year. In 2022, Keys AHEC received a new mobile dental van and the ability to offer free pediatric dental care to every child in the Keys.

Michael Cunningham, Keys AHEC executive director, said the Florida House and Senate initially included $500,000 in their respective spending

plans. The figure eventually grew to Keys AHEC’s original $975,000 request as the budget process moved along.

“Everything was going well,” Cunningham said as the House and Senate eventually approved a budget with full funding for Keys AHEC. He said meetings with the Department of Health over the funding request were well received. Cunningham also said the governor’s office understood the importance of the funding in a meeting.

To the surprise of Keys AHEC, funds earmarked in the legislativelyapproved budget were cut as the governor prepared to sign the legislation. DeSantis briefly discussed the vetoes as a whole during the budgetingsigning event.

“Some of the stuff I don’t think should have been in the budget. Some of it wasn’t bad, but I felt it was important to get the budget spending in line with my recommendations,” he said.

Cunningham believes the governor didn’t go line-by-line to examine actual projects and impacts of programs he was eliminating.

A little more than $5 million in similar health-related funding across the state, identified as “Appropriation 436” in the legislature’s approved

budget, was cut by DeSantis.

“He eliminated budget sections which were very interesting. … It’s the first time I had seen that,” Cunningham said. “I don’t know whether he really understood the project or gave it a fair shake.”

The state Legislature extended the session beyond the typical 60 days due to a budget impasse stemming from differences among the House and Senate over tax cuts. A spending plan was ultimately approved on June 24, which didn’t leave the governor with a whole lot of time to examine and sign it before a new fiscal year on July 1.

With the loss of nearly $1 million comes some internal review to determine what kind of modifications, cost shifting and possible reductions Keys AHEC can make while still keeping services running for local children.

“We’ll have to dip into our reserves a little bit and look elsewhere to potentially raise at least $500,000 over the next 12 months to keep programs,” Cunningham said. “Anything less than that, knowing we’ll be able to raise $250,000 internally, with reductions and movement in internal budget, simply means less programs, less services and children not being served.”

Gerald Adams students help cut the ribbon with AHEC’s Michael Cunningam, center, and then-Key West Mayor Teri Johnston, schools Superintendent Theresa Axford and County Commissioner Michelle Coldiron in January 2022. FILE PHOTO

Cunningham added he was appreciative of the work by state Rep. Jim Mooney and state Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez in getting the funding request in their respective chambers.

“They did a great job for us. We couldn’t ask more from them.”

Rodriguez told Keys Weekly that while she’s disappointed funds were excluded for Keys AHEC, which was worthy of receiving state funds, she will advocate for “much-needed investments” next session.

This isn’t the first time Keys AHEC was left without funding from the state. A $650,000 request by Keys AHEC during the 2022-23 session yielded not a dime from the Legislature.

KEYS GET UP TO 900 NEW BUILDING RIGHTS

New bill allows for permits on vacant, buildable land

The Florida Keys have the go-ahead for up to 900 new building rights throughout the island chain, following Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signature on Senate Bill 180 last week.

For decades, development in the Florida Keys Area of Critical State Concern has been regulated by the Rate of Growth Ordinance (ROGO), predicated on a maximum hurricane evacuation time of no more than 24 hours for permanent residents.

The new bill, signed into law on June 26 by DeSantis, will raise that time frame to 24.5 hours, allowing additional building in the hope of

staving off costly lawsuits from owners of vacant lots who otherwise may have been turned down for permits.

The exact number of permits to be doled out will hinge on evacuation modeling run by the Florida Department of Commerce, with up to 900 rights distributed over a minimum of 10 years.

The new units are reserved exclusively for one right per vacant, buildable parcel, prioritizing owneroccupied homes, affordable housing and workforce housing, the bill states, and must be split among the Keys’ jurisdictions based on the number of vacant buildable lots in each jurisdiction.

The new law follows more than

a year of exhaustive debate among Keys residents and government leaders over how to handle the future of development in an island chain with dwindling buildable land. Dozens of special meetings, workshops and surveys throughout 2023 and 2024 weighed the cost of lawsuits and a need for affordable and workforce housing against traffic, infrastructure, environmental and evacuation safety concerns.

Earlier this year, requests for new allocations were included in bills filed by state Rep. Jim Mooney and Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez – 500 units over 10 years with a 24.5-hour evacuation in Mooney’s House Bill 995 and 3,550 over 40 years with a 26-hour

evacuation in Rodriguez’s Senate Bill 1326.

Both bills were later amended to reflect a matching 825-unit request with a 24.5-hour evacuation, but eventually died, leaving the immediate future of Keys building in an addition to Pinellas County-based District 18 Sen. Nick DiCeglie’s bill. A 26-hour evacuation for the Keys also appeared in edits to Senate Bill 1730, filed by Miami-Dade’s District 38 Sen. Alexis Calatayud – but those amendments were removed from the final version.

ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

5-9

Proposed improvements to the baseball field at Founders Park include new dugouts, construction of a press box and concession stand and artificial turf. CONTRIBUTED

He also alluded to councilman Steve Friedman’s son’s injury, in which he broke his collarbone while jogging in the outfield.

“I’ve been all over the world to play baseball, the United States, Nicaragua, Cuba, Japan. … That field (at Founders) ranks up with a thirdworld country,” he said. “We’d love for it to be natural grass. If you’re willing to spend half a million dollars on a grounds crew, so be it. The only way to do it is turf.”

A transition to turf would also eliminate the intense maintenance needed for natural grass in a harsh Florida Keys environment. Mientkiewicz and Tony Hammon, coach for Coral Shores baseball, both mentioned the many hours put into preparing the field for play. Mientkiewicz said he had the Minnesota Twins ground crew come down to do the mound and home plate area the correct way.

“I was told by the guys who do that for a living that it won’t last because of the coral rock underneath it,” Mientkiewicz said. “I know if professionals can’t maintain it, it makes it really hard.”

Rich Russell, former Coral Shores athletic director, said upgrades to the field won’t only be for the baseball program.

“I don’t like the idea of this being called a baseball field. It is a multi-use facility,” he said. “Hundreds of kids are playing flag football — there are 140 kids in this area

playing — lacrosse, baseball, soccer, softball, girls and boys programs alike.”

Russell added the field would also supplement events held at Founders Park that couldn’t be held on grass.

The mother of two young baseball players, Lauren Solis, said investing into the park to make it a place for kids to play sports is the community’s best bet.

“We are traveling six days a week to Key Largo because we go to Key Largo park to play baseball. It’d be great if we could use it (Founders Park ballfield) for Little League.”

Project costs prompt discussion

The school board agreed to allocate $5 million in its capital budget for ballfield improvements. Some school board members shared concerns over footing a majority of the project costs. Mindy Conn, school board chairwoman, expressed her concerns over the investment in a facility not owned by the district. Board member Darren Horan said he hopes the village might contribute to the project.

Upon hearing comments over the village contributing, Islamorada Mayor Sharon Mahoney said toward the end of the village workshop that “it’s a big part of the decision.”

“With times changing down here and the school clearly to capacity, why doesn’t the school board look at buying a piece of property for other

things other than the baseball field? Look at big tracts of land, most are gone,” Mahoney said. “Where does Coral Shores go when they don’t have another property besides this park? My concern is the future for this park.”

Islamorada resident Jaime Engel said the village, and not the school district, should pay the money to get the baseball field back in top-notch condition. Engel also referenced survey results regarding Founders Park which found a majority of residents wanted improvements to existing amenities, not new construction.

“They want to preserve the park and not develop it,” she said.

A partnership between the village and school district for field use dates back to 2001. The pact has allowed the school district to pay for field improvements including resurfacing and new fencing. The agreement also outlined maintenance of the field, with the school district tending to the playing surface during season and the village taking over outside of the season.

If all approvals are garnered, the work could begin after the 2026 baseball season.

Some residents question village’s inclusion

Former school board member Ed Davidson noted the repeated broken promises in keeping the village and its residents included throughout the process. A community meeting held

in March 2024 was the last substantive discussion heard from school officials and residents who voiced input that evening. At the time, the school board had awarded the design and construction of the ballfield upgrades to a contractor. There were no formal designs for the project, but renditions by the contractor were circulating.

Since then, Davidson said, the citizens have had very few briefings and “almost no say in the past twoand-a-half years since the first bid was processed by the school board without consulting Islamorada citizen owners of the park.”

“This is now the second designbuild contract — it’s a contract, folks — already authorized without Islamorada approval,” Davidson. “Lots of people in this game responsible for the lack of participation regard this as a rubber-stamp done deal.”

He added one of the larger problems surrounding the project is the design committee, which he said is composed of 14 public officials, calculating in detail how to spend the $6.1 million.

Lower Matecumbe resident Sue Miller said the village was promised workshops. She noted the need for all sides to come together to figure out what’s best for the village and its park.

“Why can’t we be adults and sit down at a table and talk out what our differences are, instead of having one side of the room cheering one speaker and another side of the room cheering for another speaker,” she said.

Lefere, of the school district, noted the criticism received when they had no conceptual plan during the March 2024 meeting. Following that meeting, Lefere said, the project “kind of died for several reasons.”

“We’re essentially picking up where we left off back in March of last year,” Lefere said. “This time we have a conceptual plan to share that we were criticized for not having last time.”

Lefere added the conceptual plan is the first of four steps, of which all need support from the school board and village council.

The school district’s conceptual plan is expected to go before the village’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, which next meets Thursday, July 10.

BRIEFLY

Fire Rescue museum open house set

The Key Largo Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department Museum will have an open house on Friday, July 4 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be a ribboncutting and food provided, including a barbecue, hot dogs and hamburgers. The museum’s mission is to present the history of men and women who provided life-saving services to the community.

Pickleball tournament set for July 12

The Florida Keys Children’s Shelter invites all kids ages 8-21 in the community to join in on a fun-filled day of pickleball on Saturday, July 12 at Key Largo Park, 500 St. Croix Place. Run by the Schoolyard Academy, this free pickleball tournament features friendly matches, free pickleball sportswear for everyone in attendance and the chance to win prizes. Pickleball registrants can enjoy a day pass to Jacobs Aquatic Center; accompanying adults can get in for $6. Scan the QR code to sign up.

League of Women Voters holds Lunch & Learn

The Upper Keys League of Women Voters will host Lunch & League on Monday, July 14 from noon to 1 p.m. at the Key Largo library. Learn about the “Skip the Stuff” summer campaign spearheaded by Monroe County, the Village of Islamorada and the City of Key West in collaboration with the Surfrider Foundation Florida Keys Chapter. Explore the effect of plastics on the island and how to get involved in real solutions.

The campaign’s goal is to encourage local restaurants and food service businesses to pledge to offer singleuse plastics, straws and condiments

only upon request. This simple shift has been demonstrated to reduce waste, lower costs and encourage customers to adopt sustainable practices. Everyone is welcome. Attendees are welcome to bring a lunch or snack.

Wesley House seeks fosters, sets training

Wesley House Family Services is seeking compassionate community members to become licensed foster parents. With only seven licensed foster homes in Monroe County, the need is critical — especially for teenagers and sibling groups.

The next round of pre-service foster parent training classes begins Aug. 14 and runs for eight weeks, meeting virtually each Thursday evening from 6 to 9 p.m. These classes are required for licensing and are open to anyone 21 or older who can pass a background check and provide a safe home environment.

For more information or to register for training, contact Lindsey Betterman at 305-809-5020.

Detention deputy arrested for making false statements

Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Detention Deputy Anthony Paniagua was arrested on June 27 on charges of felony official misconduct and felony perjury during an Internal Affairs investigation.

Paniagua allegedly made false entries in sheriff’s office records about matters relating to his timesheet and later made false statements when questioned about them in an official investigation. He has been placed on administrative leave without pay pending a pre-termination hearing.

“I will continue to keep the public informed of every important event that happens at the Sheriff’s Office — both positive and negative,” said Sheriff Rick Ramsay.

Paniagua was hired on Jan. 26, 2015.

FWC ARRESTS BROWARD MAN FOR BUI MANSLAUGHTER

Crash last December killed a North Carolina woman

A61-year old Broward County man is facing charges in a December 2024 boat crash that claimed the life of a young North Carolina woman.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission investigators arrested Guy R. Erdman, of Oakland Park, on June 25 for his alleged role in the incident, which claimed the life of Sydney Cole. He’s facing a felony charge of boating under the influence manslaughter and several misdemeanors.

Erdman was booked and released on bond. His arraignment is scheduled for July 15 before Circuit Court Judge James Morgan.

According to FWC, Erdman was operating a 21-foot center console vessel with three passengers on Dec. 27, 2024. The boat was traveling through Buttonwood Sound when it reportedly collided with an anchored sailboat, throwing all four occupants from Erdman’s boat. Good Samaritans recovered Erdman and two other passengers.

After a multi-agency search, Cole was later found dead in the water.

Investigation by FWC revealed that Erdman was consuming alcohol less than an hour before the collision,

and toxicology results confirmed that Erdman’s blood alcohol content was nearly twice the legal limit at the time of the incident.

“This devastating and avoidable loss of a young life underscores the dangers of boating under the influence,” said Maj. Alberto Maza, FWC South Bravo regional commander. “If you choose to boat impaired, we will hold you accountable.”

The FWC makes boating safety enforcement a top priority. The public is encouraged to report dangerous boating activity by calling the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404FWCC (888-404-3922).

— Keys Weekly staff report

TWO MORE ARRESTED IN ISLAMORADA RIDESHARE ROBBERY CASE

The mother and brother of a man arrested on June 1 for allegedly robbing a rideshare driver in the Upper Keys were arrested in the case.

Mary Houston, 46, of Islamorada, and Jacob True, 21, of Sebring, were both charged with tampering with evidence and accessory after the fact.

According to the sheriff’s office, Houston and True allegedly assisted

the primary suspect — 22-year-old Payton Riley Roth, of Islamorada — throw the 9mm handgun and loaded magazine he allegedly used to rob the rideshare driver of a $300 watch into a canal off San Remo Drive.

“I understand the desire to help a son, but the destruction of evidence crosses a line and simply cannot be tolerated” said Sheriff Rick Ramsay. Roth was arrested shortly after

the incident. The Sheriff’s Office Dive Team found the firearm in the canal as part of the ongoing investigation.

Warrants were obtained for the arrest of Houston and True. Houston turned herself in on the warrant. True was arrested in Sebring. Roth remains in jail on charges of robbery with a firearm and theft.

Taking to Facebook to respond to the charges, Houston said she faced a

“difficult and urgent situation involving my disturbed and suicidal son.”

“In that moment, I acted to protect his life and the safety of those around us. My actions helped prevent a potential tragedy,” she wrote. “As a business owner and a proud member of this community, I have always upheld the law and worked hard to earn your trust.”

— Keys Weekly staff report

Guy R. Erdman. MCSO/Contributed

SCHOOL BOARD SUPPORTS ATHLETIC FACILITIES UPGRADES

District has more than 20 openings heading into next year

FRANK DERFLER www.keysweekly.com

In addition to supporting a concept plan to revamp the Coral Shores ballfield, Monroe County school board members approved a final design plan for upgrades to Key West’s Rex Weech baseball complex during a June 24 meeting at Coral Shores High School.

School district officials also discussed teacher and staff employment for the 2025-26 school year.

The additions and upgrades to the Rex Weech baseball complex on Glynn Archer Drive in Key West have been in the planning and development process for more than a year. In March 2024, the school board members were surprised by a price tag of more than $4 million for a new concession area with restrooms, a new entrance to the complex and a raised plaza area. The plan also includes a weight training area and a baseball museum.

Since last year, the community, school district staff and board members contributed to the planning of facility upgrades. At the June 24 meeting, Pat Lefere, the school district’s director of operations and planning, received approval from the board for a final design with an estimated cost of $4,880,372. With county commissioners’ approval, the county Tourist Development Council will provide $500,000 in bricks and mortar funding for this project.

School board members also supported an initial concept for an improved Coral Shores baseball facility at Founders Park in Islamorada. After public comment and discussion, the board approved a conceptual plan with an initial cost estimate of over $6.1 million.

Harry Russell, executive director of personnel support, provided a report on school district staffing. June and July are the months for interviewing and hiring teachers and staff for the

upcoming school year. However, the school principals already hired a significant number of people during the February early recruitment drive.

As of mid-June, the district had openings for 28 teachers, eight paraprofessionals, six athletic coaches, one administrative assistant and two food service workers. Key West High School has the greatest need. Thirty-two new teachers have been hired for KWHS and about 31 are needed. The district typically employs about 650 teachers.

Russell reported the district will have about 100 new teachers; the district typically retains about 85% of its teachers. The biggest drawback, according to Russell, is the cost of housing. Nationally, the number of people seeking teacher positions has declined and there is competition from charter schools with interesting and unique curriculum plans.

Outgoing Superintendent Theresa Axford reported that the district is the first in the state to be designated as a Suicide Prevention Certified District. Daliana Goins, district coordinator, worked with staff members in every school to provide training and materials.

During the May board meeting, member Sue Woltanski asked for a report on the effectiveness of special instructional materials used in the schools. During the June 24 meeting, Sarah Adams, director of instructional materials and AVID, showed how some of the learning aids and software contributed to scores in the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST). FAST uses frequent short assessments to track student progress as the group of students moves from yearto-year. She described some programs that were canceled and some that, according to the statistics, helped the group of students to improve in specific areas. She said the district has plans for a highly-adaptive artificial intelligence program from Khan Academy, called Khanmigo, with support from the University of Florida.

What’s next?

While SB 180 lays the framework for new building rights, Keys jurisdictions could realistically be at least six months to a year away from distributing those units to property owners. How quickly the rights will be given out – 10 years or more – remains a policy decision for elected officials.

The pool of up to 900 units marks the first time that the Keys have received a significant addition to building rights since 2012, when 2010 census data was used in 24-hour evacuation modeling. In 2018, thenGov. Rick Scott awarded a pool of 1,300 new rights to the Keys in an effort to replace workforce housing lost in Hurricane Irma – but those units were restricted to evacuate before the 24-hour period, and later faced an extensive legal challenge.

The new bill tasks FloridaCommerce with re-running evacuation models based on the new clearance time of 24.5 hours. The results of this modeling will inform a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing exact numbers of building rights to be given to each ROGOgoverned jurisdiction throughout the island chain. As they did in 2012, each affected jurisdiction will sign the MOU along with FloridaCommerce officials to cement the relative distribution of rights among the municipalities.

From there, the timeline to fully accept and distribute the new units will depend on each government’s ability to incorporate the building rights into its comprehensive plan and land development regulations. That process could be more immediate or take six months or longer, depending on whether each government’s existing language allows for the addition of new units with changes to state law.

For unincorporated Monroe County, which should stand to receive the largest share of new rights, the

required process to adopt necessary changes will take until at least December, planning and environmental resources director Devin Tolpin told the Weekly.

The months needed to finalize the new units could be particularly critical for cities like Marathon, which has already exhausted its supply of conventional building rights.

Speaking to the Weekly on July 1, Marathon Planning Director Brian Shea said the city now relies on a dwindling number of permits made available through the city’s Voluntary Home Buyout Program and limited rights taken back from expired building permits to avoid takings cases. In recent years, Marathon has stemmed its award of building rights to a trickle, granting just five new building permits every six months.

Extra 220 units still unclear

As governments work to finalize the distribution and timing of SB 180’s new building rights, officials told the Weekly the fate of an additional 220 building rights theoretically allowed, but not yet awarded, under the previous 24-hour evacuation rule was still up in the air.

In October 2024, the Monroe County Commission unanimously elected to request these rights from the state, later approving a separate resolution asking for an evacuation time change from 24 to 26 hours.

But in December, FloridaCommerce leaders reportedly told Keys governments that the department was unlikely to issue those 220 rights until existing allocations were exhausted throughout the entire island chain, prompting debate about whether Keys governments could, or should, “share” their remaining rights.

Whether these rights could be awarded separately from, or as a portion of, the new allocations allowed in SB 180 remains to be seen.

A drawing shows upgrades to Key West’s Rex Weech baseball complex. CONTRIBUTED

of Islands Meeting Schedule July 2025

FACTS FROM THE TAX COLLECTOR

Sam Steele monroetaxcollector.com 305.295.5000

• Local business tax may be renewed beginning on July 1, 2025. The 2025 business tax expires on September 30, 2025.

• Property tax installment bills must be paid by July 31.

• There were 1,840 certificates sold during this year’s tax certificate sale for the amount of $11,696,110.76. In the previous year, there were 1,756 certificates sold.

• A property that is being rented out for six months or less must have a tourist development tax account.

• The spiny lobster sport season (“mini-season”) begins at 12:01 AM on July 30 and ends at 12:00 AM on July 31. The bag limit for Monroe County is six per person per day.

• To sign up for electronic bills, please visit our website or call our o ce for assistance.

• Thank you for nominating us for Best Customer Service and Best Elected O cial for the 2025 Bubba Awards!

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY 89240 Overseas Hwy Ste 2, Tavernier 305.363.2957

MARATHON WEEKLY 9709 O/S Hwy Marathon 305 743 0844

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305-451-1414 •  1-800-822-1088 events@keylargochamber.org 106000 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037 WWW.KEYLARGOCHAMBER.ORG

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Studio provides inclusive stage for all dancers

ZACK WOLTANSKI www.keysweekly.com

Having recently completed a successful second season with their “Dancing With The Stars” show, Key Largo’s Spotlight Dance Studio has grown into one of the preeminent dance studios in the Upper Keys.

Laila Jones, Spotlight’s firstever graduating senior, received a standing ovation as well as flowers at the June 8 show, given in appreciation of her performance and growth alongside Spotlight.

Andrea Galvin founded Spotlight in 2023 with the goal of sharing what she’d learned from her dance training in Miami, as well as creating a highly inclusive environment for her young dancers.

“We have a very unique class environment,” Galvin said. “I feel like everyone deserves the chance to be in the spotlight, hence the name. We try to cultivate that vibe and the energy of giving every dancer that opportunity.”

Spotlight Dance Studio is distinguished by its Latin ballroom classes and a strong sense of connection between students and instructors, wherein Spotlight can “feel like a second home,” as Galvin describes it.

The studio also maintains a

focus on introducing guest artists, including prominent South Florida choreographers and dancers, to enliven the learning experience and provide their unique perspectives and expertise on the versatile art form. In addition to their present classes in ballet, jazz, contemporary, heels, hip-hop and acro, Spotlight hopes to soon incorporate classes on tap and point.

With around 80 dancers enrolled, Galvin has cultivated a lively environment, fulfilling her long-standing dream of opening a dance studio. Yet Spotlight’s goal extends beyond refining dancer talent.

“We really connect with our students,” Galvin explained. “We’re not creating just dancers, we’re developing them into kind-hearted people.”

This sense of connection was apparent in the overwhelming, enthusiastic response to Laila Jones’ successful performance.

“She was applauded for being her,” said Nada Khalaf-Jones, Laila’s mother, in describing the audience-wide standing ovation. “And I think the people here are really proud of that.”

Spotlight’s 2025 summer workshops will continue through August.

OCEAN REEF CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION SUPPORTS CORAL RESTORATION

Keys Marine Laboratory (KML) recently announced it received a $10,000 donation from the Ocean Reef Conservation Association (ORCA).

“Our board has approved $10,000 in support of KML’s land based coral nursery,” said Jack Salisbury, chairman for the ORCA.

ORCA is a nonprofit dedicated to protecting and preserving the environment, wildlife, water quality and habitat. This contribution will support coral restoration partners in the Keys, helping to preserve the unique marine ecosystem.

“We are deeply honored to receive this donation from the Ocean Reef Conservation Association. It speaks volumes that our Keys community understands the urgent need to protect our fragile ecosystems we are so passionate about and join us in supporting the vital restoration efforts at Keys Marine Laboratory,” said Cindy Lewis, director of Keys Marine Laboratory. “Generous donations like this help maintain and operate our seawater systems, providing critical landbased access for all of our restoration partners.”

For more than 30 years, KML has offered dedicated on-site scientific support and a comprehensive full-service marine field station. KML is a satellite campus of the University of South Florida operated by the Florida Institute of Oceanography.

Surrounded by the Florida Keys

National Marine Sanctuary, KML’s facility spans 8 acres on Long Key in Layton. With easy access to Florida Bay, the Everglades National Park, Florida’s Coral Reef and the Atlantic Ocean, KML supports research on the subtropical and tropical marine and terrestrial ecosystems of the southeastern United States. Its primary purpose is to function as a hub facilitating a wide range of academic research and restoration. Nearly 300 organizations, hailing from more than 42 states and 28 countries, have benefited from its services.

KML provides captained vessels for marine field trips and research requiring access to the surrounding coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangrove ecosystems. Multiple temperature-controlled seawater systems at KML provide reef-quality seawater and holding capacity, enabling marine research, including manipulative studies to assess tolerances to current and future reef conditions (e.g. temperature, acidification, nutrient enrichment, pH, etc.) and restoration initiatives for Florida’s Coral Reef.

KML is launching a $60 million campaign aimed at modernizing and expanding its facilities. This initiative will include the construction of new storm-resistant housing, laboratories and classrooms at KML and ensuring the preservation of our marine resources for future generations.

Spotlight Dance Studio graduating senior Laila Jones receives rapturous applause for her performance at their end-of-season ‘Dancing With The Stars’ show. NADA KHALAF-JONES/Contributed

Multiple temperature-controlled seawater systems at KML provide reef-quality seawater and holding capacity.

Corals under the care of Keys Marine Laboratory. KML/Contributed

• Shots and physicals for school or sports

• See your doctor from the comfort of your home with telehealth services

• Evening and weekend hours

• Most insurances accepted

• Sliding fee scale for the uninsured

FARM ANIMALS ENTERTAIN KIDS

Library summer reading series welcomes Farmer Jeanne and friends

Jeanne Selander, farmer at the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Animal Farm on Stock Island, visited the Islamorada library to show off some of the animals to local kids on June 26. Selander, who plans to retire in 2026, was accompanied by trainee and successor Aja Ferretti, along with several animals: Scooter the ferret, a bearded dragon named Merlin, a tortoise named Herman, an armadillo named Cricket, Calypso the alligator and Kevin, a rehabilitated blind opossum. The farm started in 1994 in an open area underneath the jail. In September 2006, Selander was hired to care for the animals, everything from horses, chickens and goats to exotic creatures like a sloth, tropical birds and kinkajous. The visit was part of Islamorada library’s summer reading program.

— Keys Weekly staff report

Farmer Jeanne, of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Animal Farm, brings several reptiles and furry creatures during a visit at the Islamorada library on June 26. She was also accompanied by Aja Ferretti, trainee and Selander’s successor in 2026. DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly

gallery

FRIDAY

CHALLENGE OFFERS PRIZES FOR PYTHON REMOVAL IN THE EVERGLADES

Officials with the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, South Florida Water Management District and Everglades National Park announce the 2025 Python Challenge. FWC/Contributed

An upcoming challenge welcomes all hunters and those interested in removing invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades ecosystem.

Some $25,000 in prizes are available during the 2025 Florida Python Challenge set to begin Friday, July 11.

Hosted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the South Florida Water Management District, the challenge features a grand prize of $10,000 for the registered participant who removes the most pythons. Added to this year’s event is the inclusion of Everglades National Park as one of eight official Florida Python Challenge competition locations.

Registration opened in May for this year’s 10-day competition, which kicks off on Friday, July 11 at 12:01 a.m. and runs until Sunday, July 20 at 5 p.m. More information is at FLPythonChallenge.org, including required online training, information about Burmese pythons and the unique Everglades ecosystem, and registration for the competition. Burmese pythons are not native to Florida and harm native wildlife. This invasive species is found mostly in and around the Everglades in south Florida, preying on birds, mammals and other reptiles. A

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female Burmese python can lay over 100 eggs at a time.

“The Python Challenge is a great way to get people directly involved in the protection and stewardship of the Everglades,” said South Florida Water Management District governing board member “Alligator Ron” Bergeron. “We continue to advance Everglades restoration efforts thanks to the support of Gov. Ron DeSantis, and we’ll keep doing everything we can to protect this important ecosystem.

“Pythons disrupt the natural food chain and prey on native wildlife,” Bergeron said. “Removing pythons from this ecosystem is critical to the survival of the species that call this area home.”

Prizes will also be awarded in the professional, novice and military categories, courtesy of sponsors and the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida.

Last year, participants in the 2024 Florida Python Challenge removed 195 invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades, resulting in a total of 1,112 of the nonnative constrictors being removed cumulatively during all Florida Python Challenge competitions so far. In 2024, 857 people from 33 states and Canada registered for the 10-day competition.

SAVE THE DATE

Friday, July 4

• Key Largo Chamber of Commerce’s 49th annual Fourth of July parade, picnic and fireworks. The parade begins at 10 a.m. with a picnic from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The fireworks display begins after the sunset.

• Independence Day Celebration from 6 to 10 p.m. at Founders Park, Islamorada. Fireworks begin following sunset.

• Fireworks after sunset at Hog Heaven, MM 85, oceanside, Islamorada. A party featuring music and a barbecue starts at 9 p.m.

Sunday, July 6

• Community composting dropoff from 11 a.m. to noon at Coral Isles Church, MM 90, oceanside, Islamorada. More information at 305-852-5813.

July 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, July 8

• Meet Sphero, an adorable robot that rolls with a lot of person-

ality, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Key Largo library.

• Reef Environmental Education Foundation’s “Fish & Friends” monthly ocean seminar series welcome Chris Malinowski, director of research and conservation at Ocean First Institute, for a talk on goliath grouper and shark conservation at 7 p.m. at the REEF Campus, MM 98.3, Key Largo.

Wednesday, July 9

• Monroe County Sheriff’s Animal Farm visit at 10:30 a.m. at Key Largo library. Learn about the farm’s rescued animals, explore fun facts and meet creatures up close.

• U.S. Naval Academy admissions office information session from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at Key Largo library. Presentation followed by a questionand-answer session. For ages 14-21 and their parents/guardians.

Saturday, July 12

• Community pickleball tournament for kids, ages 8-17, from 8 a.m. to noon at the Key Largo pickleball complex, 500 St. Croix Place. Register by calling 305-619-0652 or emailing adiaz@fkcs.org.

THE GREAT FLORIDA KEYS ROAD TRIP: THE SEVEN MILE BRIDGE

FLORIDA KEYS HISTORY WITH BRAD BERTELLI

Brad is a local historian, author, speaker and Honorary Conch who loves sharing the history of the Florida Keys.

One of the premier passages along the Overseas Highway is crossing the Seven Mile Bridge. The views are spectacular and should be experienced in the daylight.

Sunset reveals stunning sights, too, whether you are driving across the new bridge or strolling along the old one. For the most part, it is a chance to sit back and enjoy some of the best views the highway has to offer.

There are two Seven Mile Bridges — the old railroad bridge and the modern highway bridge. The original Seven Mile Bridge, built to accommodate the Key West Extension of the Florida East Coast Railway, consisted of four bridges. It was not called the Seven Mile Bridge but by the names of the four distinct bridge sections. The first three spans, Knights Key (6,803 feet), Pigeon Key (5,935 feet), and Moser Channel (13,947 feet), were built using concrete piers reinforced with three-quarter-inch steel rods.

Steel girders, weighing more than 40 tons each and measuring 80 feet long, were lowered across the piers to create the foundation on which the railroad tracks were later attached. The fourth section, the Pacet Channel Viaduct (9,035 feet), employed a different design, using a series of concrete arches to support the tracks — hence its distinction as a viaduct.

The bridges and the rest of Henry Flagler’s railroad became temporarily obsolete following the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane. The Category 5 hurricane took more than 500 lives.

It also destroyed 40 miles of railroad track and ended the run of Henry Flagler’s Over-Sea Railroad.

As a result of the storm, the right-of-way followed by Flagler’s train was sold to the state. In 1937, many of the former railroad bridges were widened to accommodate automobile traffic, including the four spans of what became known as the Seven Mile Bridge. The railroad rails were repurposed to serve as guardrails for the highway bridges. The bridge and the new and improved highway opened to traffic on March 29, 1938 — July 4 marked the highway’s official reopening.

Construction on the modern bridge began in 1979, and it officially opened to traffic on May 24, 1982. Technically, the new Seven Mile Bridge is 35,862 feet long and 1,098 feet short of its seven-mile claim.

During the drive across it, the five-acre Pigeon Key will appear underneath the old railroad bridge. On early Spanish charts, it was identified as Cayo Paloma. Paloma is the Spanish word for pigeon, and the story suggests the island was once home to large flocks of pigeons. The namesake bird was the distinctive white-crowned pigeon — indigenous to South Florida and the Keys, the Bahamas, the Greater and Lesser Antilles islands, southeastern Mexico and Central America.

In 1907, railroad engineers surveyed Pigeon Key; they determined it to be the ideal location for a construction campsite. Railroad workers built three dormitories, a large mess hall, a warehouse, offices, a bakery, a commissary and an infirmary tent.

The day before the passenger train carrying Henry Flagler traveled across Key West and steamed into the southernmost terminal for the first time, the Jan. 21, 1912, edition of the Indianapolis Sunday Star printed a story mentioning Pigeon Key: “The camps are in charge of a resident or division engineer with the one at Pigeon Key presently the most active. At high tide, Pigeon Key is about two acres in extent and perhaps three acres at low tide. There are four bunkhouses, each designed to hold 64 men; one of them for the foremen, who are housed apart from the laborers. Each has a reading room with good lights. Good mattresses are provided on standard double-decked bunks, with plenty of clean bedclothes; all laundry work being done by the company. Once a week all beds are washed and thoroughly disinfected to keep any parasites from getting a start.”

Pigeon Key and the rest of the F.E.C. right-of-way were sold to the state after the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane ended the railroad’s run. Eventually, Monroe County was given possession of the island, where, today, the old wooden railroad buildings stand like a sort of ghost town — but a living one. The island was listed as a National Historic Landmark in 1990. The Pigeon Key Foundation was formed to “protect the island’s long-standing history from the Henry Flagler era” two years later.

Visiting the island is like stepping back in time.

The buildings are some of the oldest structures found outside of Key West. At least one dates back to 1908. One of them contains a small museum filled with photographs, artifacts and stories about the building of Flagler’s railroad and the people who once called the island home. Guided tours are available. For more information about the Pigeon Key Foundation and touring the island, visit www.pigeonkey.net. After passing Pigeon Key westbound, there is a gap in the Moser Channel section of the old Flagler bridge. When it was still operational, the gap was connected by a section that could swing open to allow boats to pass between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. In 1994, the missing section was destroyed by missiles fired from a fighter jet during the filming of the Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jamie Lee Curtis thriller “True Lies.”

The movie employed a bit of Hollywood magic. In real life, the span had been removed after the old bridge closed to automobile traffic. What exploded was a replica, a bridge designed to be a stunt double — kaboom!

While the Seven Mile Bridge, both old and new, and the brilliant blue water views are the real attraction, a little bit of love must be saved for the Australian pine tree famously growing on the Pacet Channel Viaduct section in the area of MM 41. It is Fred the Tree. The Florida Keys celebrity managed to dig its roots into the crumbling remains of the railroad bridge three or four decades ago and never gave up. It also played a role in the 2024 remake of the movie “Road House,” starring Jake Gyllenhaal.

The bridge’s west end is at Little Duck Key, where the highway enters the Lower Keys.

Seven Mile Bridge and Pigeon Key circa the 1930s. FLORIDA KEYS HISTORY CENTER/Monroe County Library Collection

‘REEL DEAL’ WINS

UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI CELEBRITY FISH TOURNAMENT

The University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame & Museum returned to Islamorada June 1921 for a fan fest and celebrity fishing tournament. Team Reel Deal came away the winner with junior angler Marina Daniel of Key Largo leading the way.

Daniel weighed the biggest mahi at 21.1 pounds. Reel Deal Capt. Luis Jimenez led anglers Patrick DelVecchio of Key Largo, Yovany Alcala and James Daniel of Miami and Richard Williams of Plantation to victory with two more fish weighing in at 12.5 and 4.6 pounds for a total of 38.2 pounds. They came away with trophies and prize winnings totaling $11,591.

Nuff Said, with Capt. Cecil Everett at the helm, weighed in the second and third largest fish of the tournament. Angler Travis Phelps of Citrus Springs weighed a 16.3-pounder to win the Top Male Angler award. His teammates Brandon Kaskie and James Moore of Inverness and Bobby Everett of Key Largo weighed two more fish, 15.2- and 6.4-pound mahi, for a total of 37.9 pounds. The team took home the Bean Automotive Group secondplace trophy and a check for $5,620.

Team Three Little Birds won the Marine Max sponsored third-place trophy with fish weighing a total of 23.7 pounds. Anglers Paul Abiri, Noah Gaudet, Gabriel Rammos, Sam Netkin, Drew Gaudet and Dylan Wheel of Miami weighed in three fish at 13.2, 5.5 and 5 pounds, taking home a check for $1,969

Angler Justin Matson won the King of Fish award sponsored by

M Gaylord Trust with a 24.2-pound blackfin tuna. He was fishing with local Capt. Brian Cone aboard his charter boat Contagious. Contagious also won the Masters of the Ocean, a special award for the combined weight of three of each of the following species – dolphin, blackfin tuna, kingfish and/or wahoo. Matson and his friends Don DeLeon of Miami and Tavernier residents Travis Bennett and Andy Cone received winnings totaling $6,450.

Before the fishing began, UM Hall of Famer Gary Dunn kicked off the festivities on June 19 with a party at his establishment, the Ocean View Inn and Sports Pub. The party included Hall of Famers, celebrity athletes, Sebastian the UM mascot — who was recently inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame — and former University of Miami football coach and Islamorada’s Jimmy Johnson. The event sponsored by Spencer “CaneDoc” Kellogg provided a unique meet-and-greet opportunity for fans and anglers alike.

The festivities continued June 20 as more than 350 fans and anglers enjoyed food, drinks and raffles alongside UM Hall of Famers at Islamorada Resort Collection’s Three Waters Resort and Marina. Gifts were tossed into the crowd by Canes’ mascot Sebastian, marking the official start of the fishing tournament.

The UM Sports Hall of Fame & Museum will return to Islamorada June 25-27, 2026 for the fan fest and fishing tournament. More information is at canesfish.com.

— Keys Weekly staff report

MICKEY FRANKEL SET FOR A ‘JOYOUS’ BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

JOY member hits century mark on July 8

E.G. MERKEL www.keysweekly.com

Hey Mickey! We think you’re fine and it blows our minds that you’re turning 100!

In honor of a momentous life so far, a birthday celebration for Mickey Frankel will be held at the JOY Center, 53 High Point Road, Plantation Key on Tuesday, July 8 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The community is invited to come celebrate.

Nadine Thompson, active JOY Center member, instructor and Mickey’s daughter, shared some of her mother’s life story. She was born July 12, 1925, in Brooklyn, New York to immigrant parents who came to the United States from Ukraine when it was part of Russia. She was the middle of three daughters. While not a trained artist, she always sketched and painted.

After high school, Mickey worked as a secretary in Manhattan. She married Herbert “Red” Frankel on July 7, 1946. They lived and raised their three children in Brooklyn. She always drew and painted pictures for her children and was active in their school.

When Mickey and Red retired in 1988, they moved to Delray Beach. Once in the Sunshine State, she became interested in porcelain painting and joined the local chapter of the Florida Chapter of Porcelain

Artists. She enjoyed this art form and had her own kiln.

Six years after Red’s passing, Mickey moved to Islamorada with her daughter and son-in-law in 2017. She has taken another path in her artistic journey and now works with watercolors and pastels. She is an active member of the Art Guild of the Purple Isles. She is also involved with the JOY Center and takes part in various activities such as yoga and crocheting. She also enjoys keeping tabs on her two grandchildren and great-grandson who live in other parts of the country.

Mickey is active and spunky. When given a lifetime membership to the art guild, she quickly informed them, with a bit of humor, that they were going “to lose money on that.”

Come celebrate Mickey on Tuesday, July 8 as she receives the birthday cards JOY is collecting. You can send her a card and special message to The JOY Center, P.O. Box 1735, Tavernier, FL 33070.

The Reel Deal took first place in the 2025 University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame & Museum’s Celebrity Fishing tournament on June 21 in Islamorada. JEFF JARBOE PHOTOGRAPHY/Contributed

Mickey Frankel when she graduated from high school.

The JOY Center will celebrate Mickey Frankel’s 100th birthday on Tuesday, July 8. CONTRIBUTED

Mickey and Red Frankel on their wedding day.

LINCOLN TAKES REINS AS FLORIDA COUNTIES ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT

JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

In addition to her duties as Monroe County commissioner, Michelle Lincoln will spend the next year leading the charge as president of the Florida Association of Counties.

Composed of the Sunshine State’s 67 counties, FAC protects home rule as legislative sessions have seen preemption attempts by state lawmakers. Home rule gives local leaders and communities the ability to make decisions affecting their community. The association also collaborates with state legislators while advocating on a variety of policy issues ranging from the environment to tax policy.

Lincoln’s presidency comes at a time when the 2025-26 legislative session could address several key issues, including property tax and property insurance, all of which have big implications on the Florida Keys and the 66 other counties.

Lincoln was sworn in by her daughter, Mallory Pinto, during the association’s annual conference, held June 24-27 in Orlando. Lincoln is the first from Monroe County to hold the position with the group, which has been around since 1932. She was elected by commissioners from all Florida counties.

“It’s a humongous honor,” Lincoln told Keys Weekly. “I couldn’t have done it without the support of all county commissioners and staff. A prerequisite when filling out the application to run is you have to have a letter attached from the county giving you permission and saying this is supported.”

As president, Lincoln unveiled her policy committees as well as the chairs and vice chairs. County Commissioner Holly Raschein will head up FAC’s water and environment sustainability committee. FAC also has agriculture and rural, tax policy and federal policy committees, among others.

“Committees will entertain all bills coming to them from counties that would like FAC to support as the Florida House and Senate get together for legislative session,” Lincoln said. “Just like legislators get together in advance of their session, all county commissioners with FAC do the same

STATE LEGISLATURE SAVES TOURISM AGENCIES — FOR NOW

Athing. We’ll debate, we’ll have two meetings together, we’ll go home, discuss with our county commissioners and come back and do it again.

“We have amazing debates on the floor and vote and come up with policies and issues that we as FAC will support,” Lincoln continued. “When the legislative session starts, we know what our association will agree upon. However, things always come up that we’re not expecting.”

One of the perks of the presidency is a “stuff the bus”-like campaign. Lincoln reached out to United Way of Collier and the Florida Keys earlier this year to assess the needs of students. While pencils and paper can be in high demand, she was told about the food insecurities many students face after school and on the weekends.

Instead of “stuffing the bus” with school supplies this year, Lincoln requested the help of Comcast, the event sponsor, and the conference vendors to help her stuff bags with non-perishable, kid-friendly foods that local Monroe County food pantries could help distribute to children over the summer.

More than 350 bags were stuffed by event attendees in Orlando and brought back to the Keys. Filled to the top with juices, crackers, peanut butter, rice snacks and other healthy snacks, the bags were handed out to local food pantries across the Keys on June 30 during a gathering at KAIR in Marathon.

controversial proposal this past spring to stop Florida counties from using tourist development tax revenue to promote their destination and attract tourists — and instead use the money to reduce property taxes — did not pass the Florida Legislature.

Tourism officials and business owners in the Keys breathed a huge sigh of relief when the “anti-Tourist Development Council provisions” were removed from the state budget that now awaits the governor’s finalization signature.

A new bill does include some changes to the ways counties can spend tourism-derived tax revenue. For example, the new bill that passed allows counties to use TDC money to pay for beach lifeguards, which Monroe County doesn’t have.

The Monroe County TDC on June 16 posted an update on its website about the removal of the provisions that would have amounted to an elimination of all county TDCs by 2026.

“Thank you to everyone who took action to write, call or email House and Senate representatives about the positive power of tourism and its importance to the Florida Keys.

“However, we can’t rest on this success. We need to continue to educate against undermining our No. 1 economic engine before next year’s legislative session. A coalition of legislators, who are seeking drastic change in their own counties, are building a coalition that could be damaging to several counties in Florida, including Monroe County.”

In April, Monroe County TDC president and CEO Kara Franker told the Keys Weekly of the proposed changes, “Make no mistake: this is not a tax cut — it’s a job killer. This is an existential threat — not just to the tourism industry, but to the communities like ours that depend on it.”

In the Keys, the proposal could have delivered a devastating blow to a tourism industry that generated $61.4 million in tourist development taxes in 2023 and 2024. Visitors booking overnight lodging in the Florida Keys pay a 4% tourism development tax, in addition to a 7.5% sales tax and 1% tourist impact tax. The revenues fund brick and mortar improvements for tourist-related organizations, events up and down the island chain as well as advertising and promotion. The Monroe County TDC manages the local tourism marketing efforts to ensure long-term economic stability resulting from visitor-related revenues.

State Rep. Jim Mooney, who represents the Florida Keys, said there were many unintended consequences with the proposed bill that would have been negative. He noted that Colorado tried a similar proposal in the 1990s.

“The reality is they tried this and it was a miserable failure,” Mooney told the Keys Weekly in April. “They went from the No. 1 tourist destination in this country to dead last. And it took 15 years to recover. We can’t wait 15 years to recover.”

For now, the county’s top tourism and marketing agency is safe from legislative changes, but tourism officials are keeping a wary eye on additional efforts in Tallahassee during the next legislative session.

MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

The Monroe County Tourist Development Council promotes the Florida Keys with a variety of advertising and marketing strategies. This image is from a print ad in 2020. MONROE COUNTY TDC/Contributed

Commissioner Michelle Lincoln greets attendees during the annual Florida Association of Counties conference, held June 24-27 in Orlando. Lincoln will serve the next year as the association’s president. CONTRIBUTED

LEADERSHIP MONROE HOLDS SUMMER RECRUITMENT EVENTS

Learn about the community improvement group at events July 15, 16 & 17

Leadership Monroe County, the educational, nonpartisan, nonprofit community organization that brings together existing and emerging leaders to build constructive alliances in the Keys, welcomes applicants for the upcoming Class XXXIII, which will launch in October and run through April 2026.

The public is invited to attend any of three upcoming summer socials, which will acquaint interested individuals with the program and its components and meet some of the program’s alumni.

The socials will each take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and are set for Tuesday, July 15 at the Key West Woman’s Club, 319 Duval St., Key West; July 16 at the Italian Food Company, 82779 Overseas Hwy., Islamorada; and July 17 at Key Colony Inn Restaurant, 700 W. Ocean Dr., Key Colony Beach. Refreshments will be provided.

Leadership Monroe County offers an opportunity to experience and learn alongside a group of peers, and increase their impact within the community.

Celebrating its 33rd year, the program is aimed at residents who are active in leadership roles in the private sector, government, or nonprofit community. Through a series of one- and multi-day sessions, over a seven-month period, topics examined include the environment and natural resources, tourism and the economy, government, education, military, the law and judiciary, emergency management, arts and culture, health care, human services, as well as leadership skill development.

The deadline to apply is Aug. 11. Applications are available at leadershipmonroecounty. org/apply. More information is at 305-394-3804 or info@leadershipmonroecounty.org. — Contributed

UPPER KEYS LITTLE LEAGUE ALL-STARS BATTLE AT SECTIONALS

The Upper Keys Little League and North Springs All-Stars at sectionals on June 21

TOGRAPHY/Contributed

The Upper Keys Little League All-Stars traveled to Coral Springs to take on the North Springs All-Stars on June 21.

The boys from the Keys got on the board in the first inning of game one and game two, but could not do much after that due to the strong pitching and hitting from North Springs.

“They hit the ball hard and hit it where we weren’t. As it is said in ‘Bull Durham,’ ‘Hit where they ain’t, boys.’ We did not do that, and North Springs did and did it well,” said coach Chris Kilmurray. “I am tremendously proud of how the players played and had fun. The boys showed

sportsmanship and respect for the game and North Springs.”

Next up for the UKLL All-Stars will be some tournaments in July.

“Baseball is in a great place in the Keys right now. All three high schools won district titles this year, Key Largo School won their championship, Little League teams are doing great, in addition to other programs like Steady Bats. I am excited to see what our kids will do in the near future on the diamond,” Kilmurray said.

— Contributed

ELKS LODGE SUPPORTS GRADUATING SENIORS

Tmann and Sheryl Spear, Elks board members, with the scholarship recipients. FLORIDA

LODGE/Contributed

he Florida Elks Lodge 1872 recently awarded 17 scholarships to Coral Shores High School seniors. Scholarships range from $500 to $7,500, for a total of $50,000. Pictured right are Loretta Dett-

KEYS ELKS

in Coral Springs. SARAH PHO-

Brianna Brenner

SOPHOMORE

KEY WEST | PITCHER

Prep softball teams don’t make deep runs into the postseason without a dominant force in the circle, and Key West’s Brianna Brenner was just that. Brenner compiled a .750 win percentage for the Lady Conchs. Brenner led the district in ERA with a 2.26 and strikeouts with 127. Head coach Jason Garcia said, “Brianna Brenner was dominant all year. She kept us in every game,” adding she is “a true leader.”

Described by Hurricanes coach Kevin Williams as “a coach’s dream,” Addison Grady filled in without complaint wherever the team needed her. Whether it was playing shortstop, first base or pitcher, the freshman held it down and made the plays. Grady led the team in nearly every offensive category despite being one of the youngest on their roster.

Elena Eubank SENIOR MARATHON

| INFIELDER

Marathon’s Elena Eubank led the Dolphins in nearly every offensive category this season. The senior infielder earned an impressive .537 batting average, .667 on-base percentage and .829 slugging percentage. Eubank amassed 22 hits including a pair of home runs, stole 18 bases, batted in 22 runs and crossed home plate 26 times for a stellar senior season.

A three-year starter for the ’Canes, Mira Jones showed constant improvement in all areas of play. Jones’ detailoriented approach and focus on being her best at all times paid off with exceptional results. Her bat came in clutch all season long, and the leadership she demonstrated earned her a role as team captain.

MEET THE 2025 ALL-KEYS SOFTBALL TEAM K

Diamond was loaded with talent this spring

eys softball teams made the most of the 2025 season. Key West went 16-8 after a fantastic run into the postseason that didn’t stop at a district championship. The Lady Conchs took out one team after another until reaching the elite eight of 4A softball. Almost as exciting as their district title, the Lady Conchs return a majority of their talented roster to continue their legacy of winning. Coral Shores finished the season 5-6 after going winless one year prior. The Hurricanes’ success didn’t stop with their wins; the team had the largest turnout in recent memory to fill their benches. Marathon was 9-7 in their first season in the Rural division. The Lady Fins lose just one senior from their starting lineup, giving Middle Keys fans a lot to look forward to.

Junior Chloie Stanley stood out this season for being a jack of all trades. The infielder proved to be solid in hitting, fielding and baserunning, but it is her intangibles which set her apart. Stanley won the team’s “Hurricane Award” for being a model studentathlete. Her willingness to help others and bring the fun, positive energy helped boost the ’Canes when they needed it most.

Presley Bagwell proved to be the missing piece to Coral Shores’ lineup this season. Starting every game for the ’Canes, Bagwell’s consistency in delivery was exactly what Coral Shores needed to secure their wins. The junior hurler was praised for her commanding presence in the circle, solid hitting and outspoken leadership.

TRACY MCDONALD www.keysweekly.com MVP

Photos by Maicey Malgrat, Jackson Garcia, Doug Finger and Barry Gaukel.

Aaliyah McLeod

Just a freshman, Key West’s Aaliyah McLeod made a big impact for the Conchs. Her consistency on both offense and defense helped boost the team all season. McLeod averaged .292, amassing 19 hits and 14 RBIs, which included two doubles and a home run.

Shylo Sanchez

Credited with carrying the team through the postseason with her bat, junior Shylo Sanchez finished the season batting .320 with 16 hits that included six doubles, a triple and a home run. Sanchez showed prowess defensively as well, with a .968 fielding percentage as the Lady Conchs’ catcher.

Lilee Gage stepped up her game for Key West this season, batting .358 with 19 hits, 16 runs and 14 RBIs. The selective sophomore combined 10 walks with her hits for an on-base percentage of .460. Defensively, Gage finished the season with a .944 fielding percentage.

Tavyn Gage’s positive outlook made her an asset for the Lady Conchs this season. Described as a “total team player” by Garcia, Gage finished her senior campaign with 18 hits, 18 RBIs, eight doubles and 16 runs.

When the Lady Fins needed a pitcher this season, Madelyn Thornton stepped into the circle. With no experience, the sophomore managed four wins and 66 strikeouts to go along with a perfect fielding percentage. Thornton’s bat was even more impressive, with a .500 average, two home runs, 28 RBIs and a .909 slugging percentage.

Sophomore Sara Robinson held down multiple positions this season, stepping up for the team where they needed her most. Robinson’s play at third, behind the plate and in the circle made her indispensable as a utility player. At pitcher, she won four games for the Fins, and offensively, she scored 23 runs, one via home run, batted in 16 runs and stole 11 bases.

Marathon sophomore Maeve Merryman’s infield play was dominant this season, illustrated by her perfect fielding percentage. Merryman’s service at catcher was reliable and her bat kept the Fins in multiple games. Merryman claimed a .444 batting average, racked up 20 hits, batted in 18 runs and stole 20 bases in her sophomore campaign.

Senior Vera Rodger’s perfection in the field made her an asset to the Lady Conchs defensively, but it was her bat that made the greatest impact. Rodger averaged .378 with 28 hits, 20 runs and 17 RBIs this season. Her stats include eight doubles and four triples to boost her slugging percentage to .595.

JUNIOR

SOPHOMORE

FRESHMAN

Tavyn Gage

Lilee Gage

KEY WEST AIRPORT SUPPORTS FIREWORKS DISPLAY IN ISLAMORADA

AJuly Fourth fireworks display from Founders Park in Islamorada will bring the “wows,” and it’s all made possible due to funding from the Key West International Airport. Katie Atkins, airport marketing and communications manager, presents Anna Richards, Rotary president, with a $15,000 check for the fireworks during a June Upper Keys Rotary Club meeting. It’s the fifth consecutive year that Monroe County commissioners approved Key West International Airport’s sponsorship of five Independence Day fireworks celebrations, in Islamorada and throughout the Keys. Funds come from passenger user fees explicitly earmarked for promotional activities. CONTRIBUTED

BRIDGE RUN PROCEEDS SUPPORT TIPS

Proceeds from last year’s First State Bank Key Largo Bridge Run are supporting the efforts and mission of the Teen Intervention and Prevention Services of the Florida Keys (TIPS). Recently, run organizer Henry Menendez visited with the TIPS board members to present a $500 check. TIPS inspire Upper Keys youth toward a path of nonviolence through opportunities, education and athletics. More information is on Facebook at Tips, Teen Intervention and Prevention Services of the Florida Keys on Facebook. Runners and walkers can sign up now for this year’s bridge run, set for Dec. 6, by visiting keylargobridgerun.com. CONTRIBUTED

A SEA OF SONG

Lower Keys Underwater Music Festival celebrates ocean vibes and reef revival

The Lower Keys Underwater Music Festival returns July 11 and 12 for a one-of-a-kind celebration beneath the sea. Now in its 41st year, the event combines coral reef conservation with whimsical entertainment, featuring costumed mermaids and submerged speakers playing ocean-themed music.

Held about six miles south of Big Pine Key at Looe Key Reef, this submerged songfest invites divers and snorkelers to explore one of the most beautiful reefs in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, while listening to a soundtrack of sea-inspired classics.

Presented by the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce and US1 104.1 FM, the festival blends music with a message to protect and preserve our underwater playgrounds. For four hours on Saturday, July 12, special speakers hanging beneath boats will beam music straight into the sea. Think Jimmy Buffett, the Beatles and Disney favorites, all echoing through the reef’s aquatic amphitheater.

The weekend kicks off Friday, July 11, with a free welcome bash from 6 to 8 p.m. at Mote Marine Laboratory’s Coral Reef Research Center on Summerland Key. Guests can tour the high-tech facility, meet marine scientists, enjoy live music and light bites and dive into cutting-edge coral restoration efforts happening in the Keys.

Then it’s all fins on deck Saturday morning as boats set course for Looe Key. Throughout the broadcast, festivalgoers will also hear eco-friendly dive tips, like how to avoid harming coral, the right way to use mooring buoys and why respecting the reef is key to keeping it alive and thriving.

“We’re not just making waves — we’re making a difference,” said Steve Miller, executive director for the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce. “This festival is pure underwater Florida Keys fun, while respecting, protecting and enjoying our reefs.”

More information is at lowerkeyschamber.com/chamberevents.

— Contributed

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In The Bleachers

Samuel Lee Thomas, 72, of St. Petersburg, Florida, is a prolific 911 caller, The Smoking Gun reported on June 16. Just in the first five months of 2025, Thomas has called emergency services 3,400 times, bringing his five-year total to 16,000 calls. His latest call involved what he said was someone “shooting an AR-15 rifle in the roadway,” but when police arrived, they found a family having a barbecue and kids at play. Anqunette Peterson, 34, who lives in the targeted home, has been the victim of his calls 647 times and said Thomas “frequently stops in front of their residence to yell obscenities at her and her family,” police said. Thomas was arrested for stalking and false report of a crime. He pleaded not guilty and was released on $1,500 bond.

Adam Dailies

Brevity

NEWS OF THE WEIRD

Nancy Dailies

The world speed record for a steam locomotive is held by London and North Eastern Railway’s Mallard, which reached 125.88 mph on this day in 1938.

“Youth is happy because it has the capacity to see beauty. Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.”

In 1974, Mike Marshall of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitched in relief of starter Tommy John, setting a major league record for consecutive games pitched in, at 13.

Brevity

Founded by Betty Debnam

Visit Mount Rushmore

Mini Fact: Each of the presidents’ heads is 60 feet high from the chin to the top of the head and 40 feet

In the 1920s, South Dakota state historian Doane Robinson got the idea that carving a sculpture in the Black Hills would attract visitors to the remote and thinly populated state — and bring in money, too. He was right.

Today about 2.5 million visitors travel to Mount Rushmore each year.

A MONUMENTAL PROJECT

Mount Rushmore, a giant sculpture of four presidents, is at the top of a mountain towering about a quarter of a mile above the main viewing area.

The sculptor, Gutzon Borglum (GUT-son BORglum), sculpted the faces of the four presidents he thought did the most to make our country great: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. Work began in 1927 and continued for 14 years. When Borglum died suddenly in early 1941, his son, Lincoln, took over and finished the project.

CHOOSING FACES

Borglum first planned to carve three presidents: Lincoln, Washington and Jefferson. When he realized there was room for one more president, Roosevelt was chosen because Borglum thought he helped working people and the environment.

CARVING THE SCULPTURE

Before he began the mountain sculpture, Borglum made smaller plaster models. Then he marked the mountain in red paint to show how many inches

of rock workers needed to remove. The workers then blasted it away.

About 90% of the sculpture was carved by using dynamite. About 450,000 tons of rock were removed. Workers next drilled to get to the final face, putting on the last touches with a hammer and chisel. The rock was then smoothed over.

About 400 workers helped carve the mountain. Most were miners, ranchers, farmers and teachers who lived in the area.

They worked, dangling from harnesses, in weather ranging from hot 90-degree summers to days of 25 to 30 degrees below zero in winter. No worker was seriously injured during the whole project.

A National Park Service worker dangles in a safety harness to power-wash George Washington’s head. Each fall, park employees inspect and repair cracks with a special sealing mixture. Water collects in cracks in the mountain. Each cold South Dakota winter, the water freezes. In spring, the ice melts. This cycle of freezing and thawing causes the cracks to get bigger.

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

BORGLUM, CRAZY HORSE, DYNAMITE, HARNESS, JEFFERSON, LINCOLN, MELT, MEMORIAL, MODEL, MOUNT, NATIVE, PLASTER, ROCK, ROOSEVELT, RUSHMORE, SCULPTURE, SOUTH DAKOTA, WASHINGTON.

This model shows what Crazy Horse Memorial will look like when it is finished. You can see the actual sculpture, still underway, in the background.

NATIVE AMERICANS

Native Americans in the area considered the Black Hills sacred ground. Mount Rushmore was one of seven sites in the Black Hills that they thought was especially holy.

In 1868, the U.S. government forced the Lakota people out of the Black Hills and onto reservations. The people considered the carving of their sacred mountain into sculptures of white leaders’ faces to be an insult.

Today the National Park Service seeks to honor all cultures visiting the monument. Near the visitors’ center, Lakota interpreters talk about their life and the Black Hills.

A private group is currently carving a memorial of the Indian leader Crazy Horse on land about 17 miles from Mount Rushmore.

TODAY’S QUOTE

On the Web:

• nps.gov/moru

• crazyhorsememorial.org

At the library:

• “Mount Rushmore” by R.J. Bailey

ECO NOTE

Scientists have discovered mysterious micro-burrows in marble and limestone across Namibia, Oman and Saudi Arabia that appear to be biological in origin. The tiny tunnels, about half a millimeter wide and up to an inch long, were found filled with calcium carbonate powder, possibly left by unknown microorganisms that burrowed through the rock for nutrients. It’s believed the structures are 1 million to 2 million years old and may have formed during a wetter climate.

The Mini Page® © 2025 Andrews McMeel Syndication

wide. photos courtesy National Park Service

Martha Washington’s Applesauce

You’ll need:

• 2 1/2 pounds tart cooking apples, peeled, cored and cut into thick slices

• 2 to 3 teaspoons freshly grated lemon zest

• Water as needed

What to do:

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

• 3/4 to 1 cup sugar

• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1. Put the apples in a saucepan over low heat. Add the lemon zest and about 1/2 cup of water.

2. Cover and cook the apples, stirring often and adding more water if the fruit seems too dry. Add only enough to prevent the apples from sticking to the pan. Cook for about 20 minutes, until the apples are very soft. Remove from the heat and mash the apples roughly.

3. Blend in the butter. Add 3/4 cup of the sugar, stirring in more as needed, and then add the nutmeg. Serve applesauce warm or at room temperature. Makes 3 to 4 cups.

* You’ll need an adult’s help with this recipe.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS

George M. Cohan (1878-1942), songwriter/entertainer; Franz Kafka (1883-1924), author; Dave Ba y (1947- ), author/journalist; Montel Wi iams (1956- ), TV personality; Tom Cruise (1962- ), actor; Thomas Gibson (1962- ), actor; Yeardley Smith (1964- ), actre ; Co ie Nielsen (1965- ), actre ; Brian Cashman (1967- ), baseba execu ve; T mu Sela e (1970- ), hockey player; Patrick Wilson (1973- ), actor; Olivia Mu (1980- ), actre ; Chris Jones (1994- ), f tba player.

TODAY’S FACT

The world sp d record for a steam locomo ve is held by London and North Eastern Railway's Ma ard, which reached 125.88 mph on this day in 1938.

In 1775, George Washington assumed command of the Continental Army.

In 1844, the last two confirmed great auk specimens were killed on the island of Eldey, off the coast of Iceland.

In 1863, an assault by Gen. Robert E. Lee’s Confederate forces failed, and the Battle of Gettysburg ended in a Union victory.

FICTITIOUS NAME

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of Awesome Sauce Patina located at 763 Musa Drive, Key Largo, Florida 33037, intends to register the said name with the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, FL.

By: Countywide Home Inspections, Inc.

Publish: July 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 July 10th, 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: June 26 & July 3, 2025

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

Notice is hereby given that on dates below these vehicles will be sold at public sale on the date listed below at 10AM for monies owed on vehicle repair and storage cost

pursuant to Florida Statutes 713.585.

SALE DATE: AUGUST 25, 2025

SOUTHERN MARINA STOCK

ISLAND, 6000 PENINSULAR

AVE, KEY WEST, FL

1998 CRS CRSUSN10I798

$8,815.11

OWNER: OHANA AMERICA CORPORATION & BRITT

KOBALL

Southern Marina Stock Island reserves the right to accept or reject any and/all bids.

Publish:

June 26 and July 3, 2025

The Weekly Newspapers

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

Florida Keys Council of the Arts

Notice of Upcoming Meetings

The Florida Keys Council of the Arts will hold the following meetings via Communications Media Technology using a ZOOM webinar platform. The access points to view the Zoom meetings or for members of the public to provide public input will be: JOIN ZOOM via the Zoom app and use each meeting ID and password listed. Meetings are open to the public, and all are invited to attend. Questions, or to RSVP, please email Liz Young at director@keysarts.com

Art In Public Places

Committee Meeting

July 15, 2025, at 4:00 PM

Eastern Time

Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 875 9604 9956

Passcode: 683327

Art In Public Places Selection Committee Meeting - Public Defenders Office

July 15, 2025, at 4:30 PM

Eastern Time

Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 890 2526 2386

Passcode: 430351

Grant Panel Review

July 17, 2025, at 3:00 PM

Eastern Time

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 830 2271 3013

Passcode: 077736

Grant Panel Review

July 18, 2025, at 10:00 AM

Eastern Time

Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 843 0758 4078

Passcode: 302488

Publish: July 3, 2025

The Weekly Newspapers

DISTRICT III ADVISORY COMMITTEE (DAC III)

(from the west end of the Seven Mile Bridge to the Long Key Bridge) of the MONROE COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL has an opening for a TOURIST RELATED BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVE - Shall be persons involved in business which is interdependent upon the tourist industry who have demonstrated an interest in tourist development but who shall not be employed in any position within the lodging industry (motels, hotels, recreational vehicle parks, and other tourist accommodations and whose business is in the tax collection district for which they are applying).

Any person wishing to participate on the District III Advisory Committee of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council within the district so noted above may request an application by emailing sydney@fla-keys. com. Completed applications should be emailed to sydney@fla-keys.com or may be sent via U.S. mail to the address below: Department DAC Monroe County Tourist Development Council 1201 White Street, Suite 102 Key West, FL 33040 Deadline for receipt of application at the above address is Monday, July 14,

Effective May 31, 2025, Joseph Sunny, M.D., is no longer practicing with Baptist Health Gastroenterology at the following location: 91550 Overseas Highway, Suite 205, Tavernier, FL 33070.

Patients who wish to receive copies of their medical records may log into our patient portal at myBaptistHealth.net, call 305-434-3400 or fax 786-260-0513 to request a records release.

Publish: June 12, 19, 26 & July 3, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers

2025 5:00 p.m. A resume may be attached to the application.

Publish: July 3, 2025

The Weekly Newspapers

DISTRICT V ADVISORY COMMITTEE (DAC V) (from Mile Marker 90.940 to the Dade/Monroe County Line and any Mainland portions of Monroe County) of the MONROE COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

has an opening for a TOURIST RELATED BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVE - Shall be persons involved in business which is interdependent upon the tourist industry who have demonstrated an interest in tourist development but who shall not be employed in any position within the lodging industry (motels, hotels, recreational vehicle parks, and other tourist accommodations and whose business is in the tax collection district for which they are applying).

Any person wishing to participate on the District V Advisory Committee of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council within the district so noted above, may request an application by emailing sydney@fla-keys. com. Completed applications should be emailed to sydney@fla-keys.com or may be sent via U.S. mail to the address below: Department DAC Monroe County Tourist Development Council 1201 White Street, Suite 102 Key West, FL 33040 Deadline for receipt of application at the above address is Monday, July 14, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. A resume may be attached to the application.

Publish: July 3, 2025

The Weekly Newspapers

CITY OF KEY COLONY BEACH NOTICE OF CODE AMENDMENT HEARING “SECOND/FINAL READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 2025-499” NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Commission of the City of Key Colony Beach, Florida, will hold the following Public Hearing to hear amendments to the City’s Code of Ordinances.

DATE/TIME: Thursday, July 17th, 2025, 9:40 am OR at the conclusion of the Public Hearing

LOCATION: City of Key Colony Beach, Marble Hall, 600 W. Ocean Dr., Key Colony Beach. The proposed Ordinance to be heard by the City Commission is [ORDINANCE NO. 2025-499], entitled: “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF KEY COLONY BEACH, FLORIDA; AMENDING CHAPTER FIFTEEN OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, ENTITLED STORMWATER UTILITY SYSTEM; AND PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; REPEALING ANY INCONSISTENT PROVISIONS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.”

The Business Impact Statement is available for review on the City of Key Colony Beach’s website at www.keycolonybeach.net and at City Hall at 600 W. Ocean Drive, Key Colony Beach. Interested parties may appear at the meeting and be heard with respect to the proposed ordinance. Copies of the proposed Ordinance are available for inspection at the City Hall of Key Colony Beach. If any person decides to appeal any decision made by the Key Colony Beach City Commission with respect to any matter considered at the Code Amendment Hearing, that person will need a record of the proceeding 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 Public Hearing on Thursday, July 17th, 2025, but wish to comment, please direct correspondence to the City Clerk, P.O. Box 510141, Key Colony Beach, FL 33051, and your comments will be entered into the record.

To be published: On or before July 7th, 2025

City Clerk City of Key Colony Beach, Florida Publish: July 3, 2025

The Weekly Newspapers

CITY OF KEY COLONY BEACH NOTICE OF CODE AMENDMENT HEARING “SECOND/FINAL READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 2025-501”

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Commission of the City of Key Colony Beach, Florida, will hold the following Public Hearing to hear amendments to the City’s Code of Ordinances.

DATE/TIME: Thursday, July 17th, 2025, 9:40 am OR at the conclusion of the Public Hearing

LOCATION: City of Key Colony Beach, Marble Hall, 600 W. Ocean Dr., Key Colony Beach. The proposed Ordinance to be heard by the City Commission is [ORDINANCE NO. 2025-501], entitled: “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF KEY COLONY BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING CODE OF ORDINANCE ARTICLE VI – FINANCE, SECTION 2-75 TO INCREASE THE COMPETITIVE BIDDING THRESHOLD TO ALIGN WITH FLORIDA STATUTE; REPEALING CONFLICTING ORDINANCES; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.”

The Business Impact Statement is available for review on the City of Key Colony Beach’s website at www.keycolonybeach.net and at City Hall at 600 W. Ocean Drive, Key Colony Beach. Interested parties may appear at the meeting and be heard with respect to the proposed ordinance. Copies of the proposed Ordinance are available for inspection at the City Hall of Key Colony Beach. If any person decides to appeal any decision made by the Key Colony Beach City Commission with respect to any matter considered at the Code Amendment Hearing, that person will need a record of the proceeding 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 Public Hearing on Thursday, July 17th, 2025, but wish to comment, please direct correspondence to the City Clerk, P.O. Box 510141, Key Colony Beach, FL 33051, and your comments will be entered into the record.

To be published: On or before July 7th, 2025

City Clerk City of Key Colony Beach, Florida Publish: July 3, 2025

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE 16TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2025-CA-342-K HENRY GUERRIOS an individual,, Plaintiff and FREDERICK J. HUGO, Defendant.

NOTICE OF ACTION TO: FREDERICK J. HUGO 1408 SE 2nd CT

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Key West, FL 33040 (last known address)

Current address unknown

Current residence unknown

YOU ARE NOTIFIED that a lawsuit for breach of contract has been filed against you and you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, on JOHN MARSTON, Esquire, attorney for plaintiff, at 1011 Truman Avenue, Key West, Florida 33040, on or before August 4, 2025 and file the original with the clerk of this court immediately thereafter; otherwise a default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the complaint or petition.

Dated: June 23, 2025

KEVIN MADOK

CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT By: Shonta McLeod As Deputy Clerk

Publish: July 3, 10, 17 &24, 2025

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 25-DR-36-K

DIVISION: FAMILY TARA PATRICK, Petitioner, and BRYAN CASTRO, Respondent. AMENDED NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE (NO CHILD OR FINANCIAL SUPPORT)

TO: BRYAN CASTRO RESPONDENT’S LAST KNOWN ADDRESS: 44 KROG ST. N.E. UNIT 602, ATLANTA, GA 30307 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 Tara Patrick, whose address is 201Coppitt Rd, Apt. 301A, Key West, FL 33040 on or before July 19, 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: Chase Southwest Plus Credit Card debt $9,247.00. All charges made solely by Bryan after we split up. 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: June 12, 2025

Kevin Madok, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida

By: Destiny Johnson Deputy Clerk Publish: June 19 & 26 and July 3 &10, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers

AUTOS ALL YEARS! Junk or Used Cars, Vans, Trucks. Runs or Not.$CASH 305-332-0483

AUTOS FOR SALE

2003 Ford Explorer. 174k miles, runs great, A/C works. $3,500.00 Or best offer. Located in Marathon area. CALL 305-417-0169

PLACE YOUR AUTO FOR SALE AD HERE. $25/week for up to 5 lines of copy! Pease call 305-4170871 or email Anneke@ KeysWeekly.com

BOAT SLIP FOR RENT

19’x40’ slip in Marathon, could handle somewhat larger boat with approval from dockmaster. Desirable location in marina, easy in, easy out. Available thru Oct 25, possibly long term lease. $1,400/ mo. Please contact Vern Rozier, 904 626 5279, or 904 626 8224 and leave call back info. Or email vrrozier@yahoo.com.

Boat Dockage for rent in Marathon. Private bay bottom, up to 40' boat, self containing, offshore water, car & dingy parking space provided. 305-610-8002

EMPLOYMENT

J&M SCAFFOLDS OF FLORIDA INC - NOW HIRING: OFFICE MANAGERKEY LARGO BRANCH Full-time; Customer service oriented; Responsibility: Billing, A/R; Basic reporting, Daily deposits. Mon-Fri 8AM-4:30PM. Must be bilingual. Salary + Benefits. Apply michelleb@jmsfl.com 305-953-6965 Ext #4. 94775 OVERSEAS HWY, KEY LARGO, FL 33037

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/

Boat rental company in Marathon needs workers – Boat drivers, Truck drivers, Boat cleaners & Boat detailing. Call 305-481-7006

PLACE YOUR EMPLOYMENT AD HERE. $25/week for up to 5 lines of copy! Pease call 305-4170871 or email Anneke@ KeysWeekly.com

AFFORDABLE

HOME BUSINESS

OPPORTUNITY! Earn

$100+ daily! No experience required!. Call our 24-hour voicemail hotline: 904-680-2909

The Housing Authority of the City of Key West now hiring for the following positions: Resident Care Supervisor with min. 3 yrs. experience of an LPN, Housing ManagerFT-Marathon, CarpenterFT, 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.

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. HIRED IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS!!!

Fantastic part-time Housekeeper position available in Key Colony Beach! Immediate start date. Primarily on weekends, with excellent pay for the right candidate. Reach out to Continental Inn Beachside at Vivian 952-208-2850 or Cheryl 305-505-8747 HIRED IN EIGHT WEEKS!

PLACE YOUR EMPLOYMENT AD HERE. $25/week for up to 5 lines of copy! Pease call 305-4170871 or email Anneke@ KeysWeekly.com

2BR/2BA on the water w/ dockage in Pirates Cove, Key Largo. Fenced & fully furnished. Short and long term available. From $3500/month. Credit check required. 28 day minimum. Call 305-588-6723

UNFURNISHED 2/2 HOUSE FOR RENT ON CANAL, MM27, Ramrod Key, recently refurbished and painted, w/d, utilities paid by owner, $3300/month, security negotiable, fenced yard, available now. Pete 786-649-9833 or pprm1119@aol.com

Furnished Studio Apt. for rent in Marathon. 1 person only. No smoking. No pets. $1,100/ month incl. water and electric. 305-743-9876

3BR/2BA Furnished home for rent on Grassy Key. Available July 7. $3,800/ mo. 708-674-8044

3BR/3BA fully furnished home for rent in Marathon. Avail July 1. $4,000/mo. 618-559-9143

2BR/1BA house for rent in Marathon. Tile & carpet floors, new appliances, gated property. No pets. Avail in July. $2700/mo incl. electric only. F/L/S Dockage available for sep. fee. 305-610-8002

2BR/1BA for rent in Key Colony Beach. 800 sq. ft., fully furnished, across from park, one block from beach. 3 month min. $3000/month + sales & TDT taxes. F/L/S 786-285-9476 fjvillegascpa@ gmail.com

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!

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 REDUCED to $1,400.00 All Included. First and Last due at move in time. Call 305-797-5600 RENTED IN THREE WEEKS!

PLACE YOUR HOUSING FOR RENT AD HERE. $25/week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305-417-0871.

RV LOT FOR SALE

RV Lot For Sale in Lake Cumberland, Kentucky. Full hookup, close to marina. $59,900 or $2,000 down & $500/ month. Call Nate 317440-4709

PLACE YOUR RV LOT FOR SALE AD HERE. $25/week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305-417-0871.

VACATION RENTAL

Key West House For Rent - 28 day minimum. Recently renovated. 2 Units: 3BR/3BA or 2BR/2.5BA. 1 block to Schooner Wharf @ Historic Seaport. Starting $214/night. Sweet CarolineSeaport.com

YARD SALES

PLACE YOUR YARD SALE AD HERE. $25/ week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305-417-0871 or email Anneke@ KeysWeekly.com

Keys Energy Services, in

is accepting applications for the following position in its Generation Department:

OPERATOR/MAINTAINER

Starting pay rate for this position, depending on qualifications and experience: $40.15/hr - $44.97/hr

For more information, including job duties and required qualifications, and to apply for the job, please visit their website at www.KeysEnergy.com. KEYS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. KEYS promotes a Drug-Free Workplace.

Certain service members, veterans, the spouses and family members of service members and veterans, receive preference and priority in employment, and are encouraged to apply for positions being filled.

IS HIRING

IN THE UPPER KEYS

ACCOUNTING PERSON

Must have experience with Excel. We are willing to train the right candidate.

Send resume to admin@cbtconstruction.com Or call 305-852-3002

NOW HIRING

GENERAL OFFICE HELP

Captain Pip’s & their sister properties are looking to hire for general of ce help.

Send resume to captpips@aol.com or come in the of ce to ll out application. 1480 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050

CAPTAIN PIP’S IS AN AWESOME PLACE TO WORK, WE TREAT OUR EMPLOYEES GREAT. COME JOIN OUR TEAM!

WANTS Rolex, Dive Watches and Pilot Watches. Old Model Military Clocks & Watches. Call 305-743-4578

is accepting applications for the following position in its Engineering Department:

ELECTRICAL PROJECT ENGINEER

Starting pay rate for this position, depending on qualifications and experience: $136,979/annually$140,815/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.

LIVE

IN PARADISE AND SEE DOLPHINS PLAY EVERYDAY!

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 opening available. Scan the QR code to visit the careers page on our website. FACILITIES

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!

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

DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER 58901 O/S Hwy - Grassy Key, FL Teaching... Learning... Caring

Key West, Florida,

THE GUIDANCE/CARE CENTER, Inc. IS

HIRING!

JOIN A HIGHLY EFFECTIVE NONPROFIT HELPING PEOPLE COPE AND CHANGE FOR 52 YEARS!

We provide Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment Programs to the Florida Keys community while valuing and rewarding our employees.

KEY LARGO

Behavioral Health Counselor (Children)

Behavioral Health Therapist (Children)

KEY WEST

Case Manager (Children, Adult) (FT)

Behavioral Health Therapist (Adult, PT)

Prevention Specialist

Advocate

MARATHON

Prevention Specialist

Care Coordinator (PT)

Driver (CDL not required) (PT)

RN/Licensed Practical Nurse (FT,PT)

*Support Worker (Assisted Living) (PT)

*Behavioral Health Technicians – 3 shifts (FT,PT)

*Night Monitor (Assisted Living - Free Housing)

*No experience required for this position. Will train. A caring heart & helpful hands necessary.

Background and drug screen req. EEOC/DFWP

PAY! EXCEPTIONAL BENEFITS!!!

Apply at guidancecarecenter.org - Get Involved/ Join our team/Job Opportunities/location/zip

DUI FRONT DESK CLERK & EVALUATOR/INSTRUCTOR

The Advocate Program DUI school is hiring for part time positions.

Front desk: 3 days a week, high school diploma and computer data entry skills required.

DUI instructors and evaluators: 2 days a week, Bachelors or Masters degree in substance abuse eld required.

Of ce located in Marathon. Contact Marcia at 305-704-0117.

MARATHON GARBAGE SERVICE

We are now hiring for the following positions:

OPENINGS AVAILABLE

PHYSICIAN PRACTICE OPENINGS

- Advanced Practice Provider (APRN-PA-C)Surgical, Ortho, Tavernier

- Medical Assistant, Primary Care Marathon, $5k Bonus

- Medical Assistant, Upper Keys-Gastro, $5k Bonus

- Medical Assistant, LPN, EMT or Paramedic, Primary Care Marathon, $5k Bonus

MIAMI CANCER INSTITUTE KEY WEST

- Radiation Therapist, $12k Bonus

- Pool Advanced Practice Provider (APRN/PA-C), Medical Oncology, Per Diem

TAVERNIER MARINERS HOSPITAL

- Cook, Dietary

- Multi-Modality Imaging Tech 1, (Mammo & X Ray), Radiology, $50k Bonus

- Registered Nurse, Emergency Department

- ED Team Coordinator 1, Emergency Department

- AC Mechanic-Licensed

- Manager Imaging Services

- Pool Medical Technologist

- Pool Registered Nurse, Cardiac Rehab

- Patient Access Associate, $1k Bonus

- Patient Scheduler 2, Radiology, PT

- MC Multi-Modality Imaging Tech, CT Scan, $50k Bonus

- Patient Financial Associate, Patient Access, $1k Bonus

- Registered Nurse, ICU, $15k Bonus

- Registered Nurse, ICU, PT

- Registered Nurse, PACU, Per Diem

MARATHON FISHERMEN’S COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

- Multi-Modality Imaging Tech 1, (CT & X Ray), Radiology, $50k Bonus

- Pool Pharmacy Tech 2

- Pool Occupational Therapist

- Registered Respiratory Therapist, PT, $12,500 Bonus

- Sr. Phlebotomist

- Security Officer, FT

- Patient Financial Associate, $1k Bonus

- ED Team Coordinator, Emergency Department

- Inventory Control Administrator, Keys/Marathon Supply Chain

- MC Multi-Modality Imaging Tech 2, (MRI & X Ray), Radiology, $50k Bonus

- Patient Care Nurse Supervisor, PT, Nights

- Registered Nurse, Oncology, PT

- Registered Nurse, Surgery, $15k Bonus All

CDL Drivers

Applicants must apply in person to be considered.

4290 Overseas Hwy, Marathon

The Keys Collection is seeking a Complex Sales Manager and a Sales & Events Coordinator to drive revenue and build lasting client relationships across three properties: Blue Flamingo Resort, Hilton Garden Inn and Fairfield Inn. Ideal candidates will have hospitality sales experience, strong communication skills, and a passion for delivering exceptional results.