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Aug. 4 marked 235 years of the U.S. Coast Guard. In August 1790, Alexander Hamilton's vision became reality when President George Washington signed the Tariff Act, authorizing 10 revenue cutters to defend a young nation while enforcing tariff laws.
Members of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Highway Patrol were in attendance for National Night Out at Key Largo Park on Aug. 5. DOUG FINGER/ Keys Weekly
TWO SNORKELERS DIE DURING LOBSTER MINI-SEASON; BOAT PROP HITS JUVENILE
Abevy of boats with bug catchers took to the Florida Keys waters for the two-day lobster miniseason last week. Overall, no major resource cases were reported by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
However, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission announced the arrests of three Broward County men who reportedly harvested a large number of lobsters outside the two-day mini-season.
On Aug. 3, FWC officer Jerry Begera and sheriff’s deputy Jason Farr were conducting resource inspections at Indian Key Fill in Islamorada where they saw a man carrying a bucket containing spiny lobster. They approached the man and his group to inspect what they caught. With the group’s consent, officers searched their vehicles and found two coolers containing 53 spiny lobsters, two speared spiny lobsters, one whole stone crab, a stone crab claw, and a speared, undersized mangrove snapper.
Alfredo Gregorio, Ovidio Sales Gregorio and Marcos Hernandez Gregorio, all of Davie, were transported to jail. They were each charged with 37 misdemeanors related to multiple spiny lobster and stone crab violations.
“Our officers work closely with our local law enforcement partners in Monroe County to protect our natural resources,” said Monroe County area Captain Adam Garrison of FWC. “These regulations are in place to ensure those resources are available for many years to come.”
During the lobster mini-season, the sheriff’s office said most people they checked were in compliance. In total, the sheriff’s office conducted 526 resource checks, issued 16 court
citations. These numbers do not include data from other law enforcement agencies, including the Florida Highway Patrol, FWC, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Coast Guard.
The sheriff’s office said there were three significant incidents reported during the two-day season.
On July 30, an 82-year-old Palm City man died after he was found unresponsive while snorkeling in the gulf waters roughly 5 miles off MM 60. The sheriff’s office said Clarence Shawver was taken ashore at 10:45 a.m., and then to Fishermen’s Hospital in Marathon, where he was pronounced dead. Foul play is not believed to be a factor in the incident.
On July 31, 61-year-old Raymond Bruce Sasser, of Loxahatchee, died after he was snorkeling in waters near MM 74 in Islamorada. According to the sheriff’s office, Sasser lost consciousness at about 8:30 a.m. He was taken ashore and then to Mariners Hospital in Tavernier, where he was pronounced dead. Foul play is not believed to be a factor in the incident.
The same day, a juvenile was injured by a boat propeller at about 11 a.m. in gulf waters some five miles off Mile Marker 48. The patient reportedly suffered a leg injury and was airlifted to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami. His condition as of Aug. 4 wasn’t known. — Keys Weekly staff report
FWC officer Jerry Begera and sheriff’s deputy Jason Farr show lobsters caught out of season by three Davie men on Aug. 3. FWC/Contributed
Boston Whaler 380 Outrage Aquila 47 “Molokai” Scout 530 LXF
CFK GRADUATES BASIC LAW ENFORCEMENT ACADEMY
21 cadets complete training, now take state certification exam
The College of the Florida Keys’ (CFK) Institute for Public Safety (IPS) held a graduation ceremony for Basic Law Enforcement Academy No. 91 on July 25 at the Coral Shores High School Auditorium. Twenty-one cadets completed the 770-hour training program. Upon passing the state certification exam, each will be eligible to become a Florida law enforcement officer.
Kristi Yates, sponsored by the Homestead Police Department, was sworn in as an officer during the graduation ceremony.
The academy’s leadership award was given to Yates, while Marlon Puebla Ayala was recognized for academic achievement. The “Top Gun” shooting skills award went to Carston Addison and the physical fitness award went to Keith Feazell II. The “PIG” award, which recognizes pride,
integrity and guts, went to Kevin Torres-Rosa.
CFK’s law enforcement officer program satisfies the training requirements of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission. CFK is accepting applications for two upcoming training academies:
Basic Law Enforcement Academy 96, at the Upper Keys Center starting in January 2026 and ending in November 2026 – applications are due by Dec. 12.
Basic Law Enforcement Academy 97, at the Key West campus starting in May 2026 and ending in November 2026 – applications are due by April 16, 2026.
More information is at cfk.edu/ academics/academic-departments/ institute-for-public-safety/. — Contributed
NOT THE LOBSTERS WE WERE LOOKING FOR: MARINER FINDS COCAINE BRICKS OFF ISLAMORADA
Packages of cocaine discovered by a
JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com
Boats were out in droves throughout the Upper Keys as divers and snorkelers were on the hunt for lobsters during the final day of mini-season on July 31. One mariner, however, found something that didn’t quite resemble a crustacean.
According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, a mariner found some 23 kilograms of suspected cocaine roughly 5 miles south of Islamorada. The mariner contacted law enforcement to report the discovery of drugs with a rough weight of 50 pounds.
off
on July 31. The 23
federal authorities MCSO/Contributed
The sheriff’s office ended up working with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to bring the packages to shore. They were then turned over to federal law enforcement.
This certainly isn’t the first time drugs have been found around the Florida Keys. On July 3, a package containing 1.3 kilograms of suspected cocaine was found near MM 79.5 in Islamorada on July 3. The package was turned over to the U.S. Border Patrol.
mariner
Islamorada
kilograms of drugs were handed over to
Cadets in CFK’s Basic Law Enforcement Academy 91 stand at attention on the CFK Upper Keys Center in Key Largo. CONTRIBUTED
Islands
LOCAL BUSINESSES ADVERTISE WITH LOCAL FACES
• Congratulations to all the nominees and winners of the 2025 Bubba Awards and thank you for the honor of receiving the award for Best Elected O cial! It is a privilege to serve you!
• The second 2025 property tax installment bills will be mailed on August 31 and are due by September 30.
• Local business tax renewals must be paid by September 30.
• Any property that is being rented for six months or less must have a tourist development tax account.
• All rental properties are required to pay a local business tax regardless of how long they are being rented.
• If you suspect a fraudulent property rental, you may report it on our hotline at 1-855-422-4540.
• Specialty license plates and vouchers may be purchased on our website.
Ocean First Key Largo, established in 2022, is a dive shop with a twist. Ocean First is redefining the future of diving by blending thrilling underwater adventures with a deep commitment to marine conservation, education, and community engagement, through personalized dive experiences for small groups - ensuring each dive is not only memorable but transformative. With two 30-foot, U.S. Coast Guard-approved Island Hopper boats, each can accommodate up to 12 divers, creating a more intimate and personalized experience. Ocean First also encourages its divers to take part in citizen science projects, such as studying endangered species and preserving vital marine habitats.
"Our key to success lies in the deep connections we build—not just with the ocean, but with the community we are privileged to serve," said General Manager Jardin Macdonald. "We believe every dive, every adventure, and every partnership is an opportunity to create safe, memorable, and lasting experiences. For us, community means more than our valued customers; it encompasses our incredible sta , trusted suppliers, passionate partners, dedicated operators, and the local communities we encounter along the way."
In addition to the Key Largo Chamber, Ocean First also supports the Blue Star program, Mission: Iconic Reefs, REEF, Coral Reef Alliance, and SSI Blue Oceans.
Located in the tranquil lagoon of Jules Undersea Lodge, 51 Shoreland Dr., Key Largo 305-453-2228 | keylargo@oceanfirst.blue | www.oceanfirst.blue
BUDGET CUTS HARM VETERANS
To the Editor:
Heartbroken at the depths of my soul, I’ve attempted to make sense of and justify the harmful actions recently taken by a governing body I’ve come to love, admire and respect over the course of my 54-year residence in Monroe County.
Collectively, with an extraordinary and unrelenting effort by this distinguished publication, we’ve determinedly made aware and pressed forward in reducing veteran suicide rates by 18%. Given the years of war and sustained combat, 22 veterans a day had been killing themselves, for many years.
However, somehow at this juncture in time we’re finding it agreeable to terminate the Director of Veterans Services position in Monroe County, along with firing support personnel, who had breathed life and hope into those traumatized veterans, seeking to refrain from being driven to commit the ultimate-act of selfdestruction.
Cutting waste, fraud and theft from government budgets should not be and was never intended to harm veterans, their families and our extended communities.
Whatever we want to call the
Sales tax suspended on school supplies
Florida’s back-to-school sales tax holiday is giving families a month of savings on essential supplies for the classroom. Now through Aug. 31, school supplies costing less than $50 are tax-exempt. Also, clothing, footwear and apparel priced $100 or less and learning aids $30 or less are exempt from sales tax. As for personal computers and accessories, items priced less than $1,500 are tax-exempt. More information is at floridarevenue.com/backtoschool.
Bag of Cuban cash, gun found in Key Largo
From trash to cocaine bricks, the shores of the Florida Keys can bring some interesting discoveries for residents and visitors.
On Aug. 4, one person walking along a Key Largo beach found a black bag containing stacks of Cuban currency, among other items.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said the black bag contained
county’s fiduciary challenges, catapulting veterans back into the hell and darkness from which they came is not an acceptable answer. Weakening any of the hard-won structures that repair and heal the lives of our veterans, who preserve and protect the nation in which we live, is really quite scandalous and alarming.
There are a plethora of remedies that can be enacted, whereby the budgetary cuts impacting veterans can be rescinded. There’s a cadre of distinguished individuals willing to pledge their lives, fortunes and sacred honor as they assist Monroe County’s leaders in addressing these budgetary concerns. That could grant the men and women who’ve served in our Armed Forces a reprieve from the punitive consequences they’ll endure from the budget that awaits them.
Relegating the sacrificial service commitments made by our veterans, many of whom shed their blood and treasure on foreign soil, to a line item proposed on a piece of paper, is a tragic and unfortunate set of circumstances. It is to this point that we wish to seek your reconsideration and resolution to our concerns. Thank you.
John Donnelly Key Largo
SKEETERS SWARM FLORIDA & THE KEYS
Weather patterns provide perfect storm for nuisance biters
ZACK WOLTANSKI
www.keysweekly.com
AJuly 31 virtual news conference sought to shed light on Florida’s recent saltmarsh mosquito onslaught.
A panel of experts, including scientists and representatives from the Florida Mosquito Control Association, explained the nesting patterns of the particularly aggressive Aedes taeniorhynchus mosquitoes, which can hatch in the billions per acre of marshland.
“Typically, this mosquito is the most plentiful of more than 45 species routinely found in the Keys because it favors marshes, mangroves and wetlands, which we have in abundance,” said Chad Huff, the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District’s public education and information officer.
“The females do not lay their eggs directly into water; they lay their eggs in moist soil,” said Eva Buckner, assistant professor from University of Florida IFAS.
Black salt marsh mosquitoes – Aedes taeniorhynchus – are known for their aggressive nature and a long flight range that has made their recent population explosion a statewide issue. ATOM ROSALES/ Contributed
Fortunately, the saltmarsh mosquito is not considered to be a serious vector for transmitting human diseases, although they pose a potential threat to pets as possible vectors of heartworm.
$51,500 in Cuban cash, as well as a loaded Glock handgun, passports and a cellphone. The discovery was made just after 2:30 p.m. on Monday at Seafarer Resort and Beach, located near MM 97, bayside, in Key Largo.
The sheriff’s office turned the items over to the U.S. Border Patrol.
Key Largo man arrested for alleged theft
A 58-year-old Key Largo man was arrested on Aug. 5 for allegedly stealing beer, soda and hot dogs from a refrigerator as well as a Yeti cooler, all from the carport of a residence. Leland Kevin Broome was charged with burglary and theft.
The sheriff’s office was called to a home on the 95000 block of the Overseas Highway in Key Largo on Aug. 3 regarding a burglary. Security footage showed the suspect, identified as Broome as he is known to the sheriff’s office from prior contacts with law enforcement, stealing the items.
Warrants were issued for Broome’s arrest and he was booked into jail.
This year’s weather patterns fostered a perfect storm for the mosquitoes, allowing for a population explosion which is one of the worst in decades. Mostly dry months earlier this year allowed many ponds to dry up, creating moist but non-aquatic environments needed for the females to lay eggs, which hatched with June’s heavy rainfall and spring tides.
Last year’s hurricanes may have similarly contributed adverse effects, as hurricanes can alter the landscape of salt marshes, creating more or less open soil for the mosquitoes to breed in.
“Trained FKMCD field inspectors have located and identified many new saltmarsh mosquito production sites in locations that have never been favored before by female mosquitoes looking to lay their eggs,” Huff said.
In the Keys, tidal waters have also been especially impactful in producing an explosion of mosquito populations.
Saltmarsh mosquitoes are known for their aggressive nature and long flight range, which has led to this year’s population boom impacting all parts of the state, and not merely local environments.
“The biggest issue caused by salt marsh mosquitoes is going to be that nuisance factor,” Buckner said. Allergic reactions are another potential risk, and scratching bites may enable secondary infections.
Mosquito professionals monitor weather patterns to pursue an initial “source reduction” approach, preventing them from laying eggs in the first place. As larvae, the populations are easier to limit than those of flying mosquitoes, and larvicide has a limited impact on other organisms.
As adulticides can potentially kill other insects, measures are always taken to spray when pollinators are not active and the wind is low.
“All mosquito control programs use an integrated pest management program,” said Buckner. “There’s not just one tool to control mosquitoes.”
“As of early August, the mosquito numbers have reduced considerably throughout most of Monroe County, thanks to the extremely hard work by a dedicated team,” Huff said.
Mosquito control officials encourage residents to mow their yards and drain standing water, which can provide habitats for container mosquitoes. Residents are encouraged to contact their local mosquito control boards, who may send inspectors to address any potential concerns.
BABIES ON BOARD
Coast Guard, Turtle Hospital deliver 64 young turtles to the Gulf Stream
ALEX RICKERT
alex@keysweekly.com
In the closing weeks of July, calls about baby turtles in distress kept the emergency hotline at Marathon’s Turtle Hospital ringing off the hook.
Over a seven-day period, the hospital fielded calls for 287 tiny hatchlings, all in need of a helping hand after crawling the wrong way when they emerged from their nests on Florida Keys beaches.
A single day yielded four calls for babies that had fallen into three different chlorinated pools.
“It’s one of the highest numbers we’ve ever seen in a short period of time,” Turtle Hospital manager Bette Zirkelbach told the Weekly.
The culprit: artificial light from oceanside homes, disrupting the natural light from the night sky used by freshly-hatched turtles to get themselves to the water and out to the deep blue.
Thankfully, with rescue staff at the ready, the hospital’s success rate this nesting season has topped 75% – that is, more than three quarters of the babies reported made it to some form of successful release. Of the 287, around 100 were released the night of their rescues.
Turtle Hospital rehabber
Maddie Credi and manager Bette Zirkelbach team up with members of Coast Guard Station Marathon to release 64 rescued turtles more than 10 miles offshore from Marathon. Sixty-one turtles were freshly-hatched loggerhead babies disoriented by artificial light, while three other juveniles conquered ailments like plastic ingestion to return to full health. ALEX RICKERT/ Keys Weekly
Prospective Habitat for Humanity homeowners contribute sweat equity hours, volunteering in local developments such as the Gardenia complex. ZACK WOLTANSKI/Keys Weekly
A ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 23 celebrates the completion of Habitat for Humanity of the Upper Keys’ Gardenia Street complex, located in a lot adjacent to Plantation Key School.
FAMILIES GET THE KEYS TO THEIR NEW HOMES
Habitat celebrates completion of Gardenia development
ZACK WOLTANSKI www.keysweekly.com
And on Aug. 1, 61 loggerhead hatchlings – plus two one-year-old juvenile hawksbills and a yearling loggerhead – got an easy ride out to the Gulf Stream, courtesy of the U.S. Coast Guard Station Marathon. Once there, they were safely delivered into patches of sargassum weeds, where they can find shelter and food before eventually returning closer to shore as mature turtles.
Zirkelbach said the mass intake of hatchlings underscores the importance of conscientious development and careful light use, especially during turtle mating season.
“With the increased number of vacation rentals, I don’t feel people are maliciously leaving lights on,” she said. “But I think we need to do better at educating our visitors about turning lights off at night during nesting season. People just don’t have the knowledge.”
Sea turtle nesting season in the Florida Keys runs from April 15 through Oct. 31. During these months, bright, artificial lights can disorient hatchlings. To report turtles in distress, call the Turtle Hospital’s hotline at 305481-7669.
For more information on ways to protect sea turtles with residential lighting, scan the QR code.
Habitat for Humanity of the Upper Keys unveiled the completed Gardenia development project in a ribbon-cutting ceremony on the morning of July 23, closing a nearly four-year-old project and opening doors to eight families of new and future homeowners.
The completion ceremony included speeches and statements of gratitude from Scott Goss, Habitat’s new executive director, as well as a signing of final housing documents for two families of new homeowners, who put in sweat equity hours to assist with completion of the project.
The affordable housing complex, located at 292 Gardenia St. on Plantation Key in Islamorada, consists of eight three-bedroom, two-bathroom units, and was first announced in 2021 following an RFQ process with the Village of Islamorada.
“We were inspired by the mission of Habitat: to put God’s love into action,” Goss said. The village assisted Habitat in finding and providing available land for development.
Goss also thanked donors, including the work of CBT Construction in assisting with the Gardenia project. Volunteers were critical to the project, and partners such as the Fernandez and Nailer families
worked together, bonding while contributing sweat equity, to help finish the developments that they would soon call home.
The Nailer and Fernandez families committed to work on the project following Habitat’s public informational sessions, which were hosted by local libraries. Neither had previous involvement with Habitat for Humanity.
With the Nailer family, Habitat will provide housing for an Ocean Studies Charter School teacher and her husband, a store manager, while with the Fernandez family, they will provide a home to a multigenerational household consisting of a mother, daughter and granddaughter.
Finishing steps of the project included the completion of construction, final inspections and the acquisition of occupancy certificates from the village. The costs of construction presented a significant hurdle throughout the development of the project.
The ribbon-cutting took place on a stormy morning.
“I think today’s weather really reminds us of the importance and the need for shelter,” said Goss. Later, outlining Habitat’s mission, Goss said, “Our vision is for a world where everyone has a place to live.”
Habitat for Humanity of the Upper Keys, a volunteer-based housing organization serving Key Largo, Tavernier and Islamorada, seeks to provide affordable housing to those in need, and offers weekly volunteer opportunities on Saturdays throughout the summer.
AN AWESOME NIGHT OUT
First responders, community members have a friendly get-together at Upper Keys parks
JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com
From fire trucks and sheriff’s patrol cars to marine vessels and motorcycles, first responders descended upon two Upper Keys parks for a friendly meet-up with community members, young and old, for National Night Out on Aug. 5.
Organized by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, the events at Key Largo Park and Founders Park in Islamorada gave kids a chance to peek inside law enforcement and fire rescue vehicles while meeting with deputies and troopers, Coast Guard members and National Park staff, Civil Air Patrol and the sheriff’s dive team, among other agencies and groups.
At Founders Park, community members had the chance to check out a Trauma Star chopper. At Key Largo Park, kids had the chance to visit Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation officers while getting an up-close look at a baby gator. Islamorada Fire Rescue and deputies dished out barbecue food at Founders Park, while the Key Largo Rotary Club cooked on the grill for the community at Key Largo Park. Booths had trinkets, bracelets and other little toys for the kids to grab as they went by. National Night Out brings the community together to help make Keys neighborhoods cleaner and safer.
Law enforcement vehicles, fire trucks and Trauma Star were on display for community members to see during National Night Out at Founders Park in Islamorada on Aug. 5. Photos by JIM McCARTHY/Keys Weekly and CINDY SMITH/Contributed
First responders and community members gather at Key Largo Park for National Night Out on Aug. 5. With live animals and food also came tables with goodies and treats for kids. DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly
COAST GUARD MEMBER WHO WEATHERED HURRICANE DONNA AT ALLIGATOR LIGHTHOUSE
NOW AT REST AT HIS SPECIAL PLACE
1: Alligator Reef Lighthouse. JIM McCARTHY/Keys Weekly. 2: Jeffrey Kime served in the U.S. Coast guard from 1959 to 1965. Four of those months were spent at Alligator Reef Lighthouse off Islamorada. CONTRIBUTED. 3: A Coast Guard member presents a flag to Kelley and Casey Kime, daughter and son of the late U.S. Coast Guard member Jeffrey Kime, during a burial ceremony near Alligator Reef Lighthouse on June 20. JIM McCARTHY/Keys Weekly. 4: Coast Guard Chaplain Josh Johnson during a burial at sea on June 20.
JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com
AU.S. Coast Guard vessel departed from Station Islamorada on the afternoon of June 20. There were no emergencies or rescues; rather, a special burial was about to take place at sea near Alligator Reef Lighthouse for Jeffrey Steven Kime.
A U.S. Coast Guard member from 1959 to 1965, the Ohio-born Kime spent four of those months manning the towering, majestic lighthouse roughly 4 nautical miles off Islamorada with two other keepers.
Kime passed away Feb. 25, 2024 following a battle with Parkinson’s. He was 82 years of age.
Per his wish, some of his ashes were spread not far from the lighthouse that held a special place in his journey. The sea burial was led by Coast Guard Chaplain Josh Johnson. In attendance were Kime’s daughter, Kelley; son, Casey, and daughter-inlaw, Monica; and fellow Coast Guard Station Islamorada members.
“We had a year of mourning,” Kelley said as the Coast Guard vessel carrying Kime’s ashes headed out to sea on a sunny and clear afternoon. “This was more celebrating and putting my dad where he wanted to be.”
Alligator Reef Lighthouse was Kime’s first place away from home. He was 19 at the time.
He’d spend three weeks manning the lighthouse before taking a dinghy back to shore for a week off.
A day for Kime and the other lighthouse keepers began at 8 a.m. with breakfast. Then it would be on to cleaning the decks and working in the engine room.
They would quit at noon because of the intense heat. During their leisure time, they would hang out
on the decks, swim, fish or even go scuba diving.
Kelley said the stories going back to her father’s days at the lighthouse didn’t come out until later on in life. He reminisced over the days fishing from the lighthouse with the other men on duty. A small hammerhead shark, which Kelley believed they called “Junior,” would appear every time he’d throw his line into the water.
During scuba diving, Kime would recover cannonballs and square nails around the lighthouse. Kime believed the nails were from the USS Alligator, one of five schooners built for the suppression of slavery and piracy during the presidency of James Madison. He began treating the cannonballs in hopes he could keep them.
Then there was Hurricane Donna in September 1960. The category 4 storm made landfall at Duck Key; the effects began to be felt at the reef lights including Sombrero Key and Alligator Reef on the night of Sept. 9. The storm’s force was felt by the Coast Guard keepers, including Kime, who was stationed at Alligator Light that night.
Kelley recalls her father saying the winds were so strong that the steel shutter doors were separated from the outside. There were also some 8 inches of rain in the barrack area where Kime and two other men were waiting out Donna.
“I’ll never forget being inside the little cabin here and listening to parts of the lighthouse ripping away,” Kime said in a Nov. 24, 1960 Miami News article.
At certain times, Kime and the others could stand in the light chamber or on the outer rails and see St. Elmo’s Fire, a natural electric phenomenon where a bluish or violet
glow is seen on the tips of pointed objects like ship masts during thunderstorms.
Eventually, Kime finished his duty at the lighthouse and left the Keys for Mackinac Island. He later moved to Dallas, married his wife, Barbara, and had a family of four children.
Kelley said her father had a plot at a cemetery in Dallas, but he asked her three days before he passed if he could be cremated and his ashes spread at Alligator Reef Lighthouse.
“With him having Parkinson’s, we urged him to keep doing his exercises. We told him if you get the strength, we’ll take you to see the lighthouse. He called it his lighthouse,” Kelley said.
Sadly, a final trip never came to be before Kime passed.
Knowing how near and dear the lighthouse was to her father, Kelley called a friend, Clint Brookover, who grew up in the Keys and went to Coral Shores High School, to help find some contacts to get a boat.
Ultimately, she got in touch with the U.S. Coast Guard, which gladly offered its services to provide a burial at sea with honors. Johnson provided a lighthouse keeper’s prayer. It was followed up with a remembrance, a flag presentation and Kime’s ashes spread in the crystal blue waters near Alligator Lighthouse. The ceremony concluded with the playing of taps.
“I thought it was phenomenal. I was overcome just seeing the lighthouse,” Kelley said. “It just did something to me and my brother. We saw it coming in on the highway, but when you’re out there close to it in the water, it’s a whole different thing.”
Kime leaves behind a beautiful legacy of love — especially for the lighthouse that stole his heart as a young man.
SCHOOL BOARD APPROVES TENTATIVE BUDGET WITH TAX INCREASE
Unlike most districts, county receives minimal state funds for operations
FRANK DERFLER
www.keysweekly.com
Monroe County school board members adopted a tentative budget with a tax increase during a July 29 meeting in Key West.
Specifically, the board set a tentative millage rate of 2.9470, which will raise $167 million. A taxpayer with a home valued at $500,000 last year with a homestead exemption of $25,000 and the maximum allowed increase in assessment (2.9 percent or $14,500) would pay an additional $82.16, or 6.04% more in school taxes than they did in fiscal year 2024-25.
Like many businesses in the Florida Keys, the Monroe County school district also faces challenges with seasonal income and cash management. Having enough cash on hand to meet hurricane emergencies and payroll are top issues for Charlene White, school district finance director.
School districts receive money from the state based on a formula described in the Florida Education Finance Program. The program tries to equalize per-student spending across the state to make up for economic differences among school districts. Some districts get 90% of their funding from the state. However, Monroe County is one of eight in the state that gets 10% of its total funds from the state. The majority of funds for education in this county come from property taxes. That income primarily arrives to the school district all at once in December. It’s like running a business that only has income one month of the year. Bills have to be paid when they happen. Unexpected repairs, project payments and many other expenditures come in lumps and defy a smooth budget process.
Because of this, the Monroe County School District typically runs short of cash in September and needs a source of short-term funds. This is common among municipal taxing authorities.
In 2021, the school board was able to get a private loan for $15 million until the tax funds came in. In 2022 and 2023 the board used bank loans for $25 million and $20 million. This year, board members are being advised by Ford & Associates Wealth Management to do a competitive public offering, essentially a shortterm note, for $20 million starting in August.
During the July 29 meeting, board member John Dick suggested it might be wise to wait until after the September meeting of the Federal Reserve when interest rates might be lower, but White replied that she would rather have the money in place to make sure the district could meet payroll.
“It is important to emphasize that this timing issue is not due to a lack of reserves — the district’s financial position remains strong. As of June 30, our total fund balance is projected at $29.4 million, with an estimated unassigned fund balance of $27 million, representing 18.03% of total revenues.”
A budget workshop will be held at Coral Shores High School on Aug. 19. A final budget hearing is scheduled for the Sept. 9 meeting at Marathon High School.
In other matters, the board received a detailed statistical report on many of the factors that led to the district recently receiving an “A” grade from the Florida Department of Education. Yanelys Ballard, who recently joined the district as the director of accountability and assessment, discussed gains in specific content areas at specific schools.
School board members examined charts that in some cases described what are 26 areas of measurement at eight K-8 schools and 26 different areas of measurement at the high school level.
NEW SUPERINTENDENT ADDRESSES THE COMMUNITY
Dear Monroe County families, staff and community partners,
As we prepare to welcome back our students and educators, I am filled with excitement and pride for the 2025–2026 school year. In just a few short days, our campuses will once again be alive with the energy of learning, collaboration and growth. There is so much to celebrate across the Monroe County School District as we begin this new chapter together.
We are proud to announce that the Monroe County School District has earned an “A” rating from the Florida Department of Education. This distinction reflects significant gains in student performance and is a direct result of our educators’ commitment to data-driven instruction and targeted interventions.
The Class of 2025 achieved an impressive overall GPA of 3.4 and was awarded a total of $13 million in scholarships, demonstrating both academic excellence and strong community support. We are also seeing continued growth in industry certifications earned by our students, thanks to the ongoing support of the Golden Fleece Foundation.
Additionally, the district has been recognized as a NOAA Ocean Guardian District, a prestigious designation that highlights our commitment to environmental stewardship. Through hands-on projects that protect local watersheds and marine ecosystems, our students and staff are fostering a culture of sustainability throughout the Florida Keys.
This summer, our staff worked tirelessly to prepare our schools for the new year. Thanks to the voter-approved operational millage and sales tax referenda, we’ve made significant improvements across our campuses, including classroom painting, HVAC maintenance and replacements, technology upgrades, marquee enhancements, playground resurfacing and athletic field improvements. I want to extend a special thank you to our custodial teams for their exceptional work in creating clean, safe and welcoming environments for our students and staff. We also launched a refreshed district website and a new MCSD District app, both designed to improve
accessibility and keep families informed with real-time updates and resources. The safety of our students and staff remains our highest priority. In addition to having law enforcement officers on every campus, our staff participated in public safety tours, threat management training and the Florida Association of School Resource Officers Conference to ensure we are fully prepared. Tools like the TextTips app (powered by CityHost411) and FortifyFL offer anonymous ways to report concerns and help keep our schools secure. We are also proud to be the only district in Florida designated as a “Suicide Prevention Certified District” by the Florida Department of Education. Every campus is supported by a school counselor and a social worker, reinforcing our commitment to youth mental health and well being.
We are proud to report that nearly all teaching positions are filled for the upcoming school year — a testament to our district’s appeal and the hard work of our Human Resources team. We are also grateful to our community partners — United Way, Kids Come First and Glad Tidings Tabernacle — for collecting and distributing school supplies to families in need. Your generosity ensures that every student starts the year equipped for success.
August 13 will mark my very first “first day of school” as superintendent of Monroe County, and I couldn’t be more honored. I look forward to seeing the smiling faces of our students, families and staff as we begin this journey together. As we move forward, I am committed to strengthening our partnerships with local businesses and community leaders, advancing our school safety initiatives and working collaboratively to ensure Monroe County’s public schools remain among the best in the state.
Here’s to a safe, successful, and inspiring school year!
Warm regards, Edward Tierney Superintendent Monroe County School District
Edward Tierney
FOUR–PAWED HEALER
Isla the fox visits Kinder in the Keys
REEF THE FOX
Reef is a red fox that was saved from a fur farm. He now lives in Key Largo with his human, Nicole Navarro.
Hi friends! Reef the fox here with your weekly “Reef’s Report.” Last week, Princess Isla graced the incredible women of Kinder in the Keys with her royal presence, and let’s just say it was less of a visit and more of a fullblown takeover (in the best way possible).
For those unfamiliar with our long-standing partnership, Kinder in the Keys is a premier inpatient mental health facility in Key Largo. Since 2022, Pawsitive Beginnings has proudly collaborated with their team to support women in recovery from trauma, depression, anxiety, PTSD and other mental health-related conditions. Their approach is refreshingly holistic, treating the whole person, not just the symptoms. That means each client’s treatment plan is thoughtfully tailored to address the physical, emotional and psychological aspects of their healing journey. Their mission? To empower women with the tools and strategies needed to achieve long-lasting wellness and a more fulfilling life.
Now, about Isla. If you’ve never seen a fox work a room like a seasoned therapist in fur, you’re miss-
ing out. At the staff’s request, Isla was “turned loose” (don’t worry, it’s more graceful than it sounds), and immediately flipped her switch from wild child to working girl. With her fluffy tail held high and ears perked like she was born for the spotlight, she pranced her way straight into the hearts of every woman in the room.
While our human, Nicole Navarro, shared the mission of Pawsitive Beginnings and the story of Isla’s journey, Isla did her own kind of storytelling. She curled up beside chairs. She made soft eye contact. She let herself be seen and, in turn, gave the women permission to be seen too. That’s the magic of animal-assisted therapy, it bypasses the defenses and speaks straight to the soul.
The visit wasn’t just cute, it was impactful. Because here’s the truth: healing isn’t linear. It’s messy, layered and often requires unexpected catalysts. Sometimes that catalyst comes in the form of a trained professional. And sometimes, it comes on four paws with a twinkle in her eye and a nose for emotional radar.
At Pawsitive Beginnings, foxes are more than survivors, they’re symbols of resilience, transformation and second chances. Just like the women at Kinder in the Keys. Each time we step into their space, we’re reminded that healing is possible, that scars can be softened by connection, and that sometimes the best therapists don’t speak a word.
Anywho, that’s all for this week. Until next time, Reef, over and out!
PENNY
At 4 years old, Penny has the energy to chase balls all day and the heart to snuggle all night. She’s playful, affectionate and ready to be your loyal sidekick. Whether it’s fetch or couch cuddles, Penny’s always by your side. Adopt Penny and gain a best friend for life. Call MarrVelous Pet Rescues at 305-453-1315.
RACCOON
‘POSTS’ UP
NEAR TAVERNIER CREEK BRIDGE
Birds are commonly seen perched on channel markers around the Florida Keys. But a raccoon? Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission officer Mike Janzen was called to the oceanside of Tavernier Creek Bridge for the report of a raccoon posted up on Channel Marker No. 6 on Aug. 2. The raccoon didn’t end up hopping into Janzen’s boat for a ride back to dry land. Rather, the cute creature hopped into the water and swam to shore as Janzen watched closely from his vessel. Using their agile bodies and webbed toes, raccoons are known to be strong swimmers. CONTRIBUTED
Isla the fox visits Kinder in the Keys. CONTRIBUTED
TASTING HISTORY
Iconic island eats and tidbits of a past Florida Keys
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.
Ientered the workforce at 11. It was in a pet store in 1976. I was paid $1.50 per hour. I didn’t last long in the pet store industry. It didn’t pay well. Also, I would be getting my driver’s license in a few years and needed to save for gas, insurance and a car.
In 1981, I applied for a job as a busboy at a local restaurant chain called the Claim Jumper. Three things that stand out from my days at the Claim Jumper are a tremendous mud pie, the cashew chicken sandwich and long spears of fried zucchini. I still love mud pie and make it from time to time. I make long spears of fried zucchini more frequently. I haven’t thought about cashew chicken in decades. I’m pretty sure the next time I cook up some chicken breasts, I’ll be dicing some up with celery, onion and cashews.
The Claim Jumper, with its oversized mint chocolate chip mud pie, was my first restaurant job; it was not the last. Making tips was so much better than minimum wage. It was 1981 when it dawned on me that I was going to write. I was 16 and a sophomore at Huntington Beach High School. It was a big
year. When my wisdom teeth were pulled, my cheeks swelled up like a chipmunk with a load of nuts, and I was laid up with icepacks instead of heading off to a Friday night drivein movie ritual.
While I was home with icepacks pushed up against my face, the girl I’d been crushing on and Steve, my alleged best friend, were kicking back at the drive-in. Subsequently, they became an item and, heartbroken, I wrote my first poem. Though I gave up poetry decades ago, I’ve been writing daily since, and the restaurant industry has supported the habit that has defined my life.
I turned 60 on June 4. For more than half of those years, I worked as a busser, expediter, server or bartender. Twice I thought I’d left it behind. Twice I’ve gone back. It had not been the plan.
The first time, I had just graduated from the University of Miami with my master of fine arts degree and moved to Plantation Key. That first year, I tried teaching, but it didn’t pay well, and a part-time bartending gig turned into a fulltime stint as a waiter at Islamorada’s now-closed Bentley’s and Lazy Days, where I worked for a decade before the big, unexpected break arrived.
Out of the blue, I was hired to curate the Florida Keys History & Discovery Center. Not everyone is handed the opportunity to go from offering blue cheese, tomato basil or Italian dressing for a dinner salad to creating a museum from scratch. For eight years, I worked to turn blank blue walls into a must-see stop for anyone interested in learning about some excellent local history. On that
note, I’d like to thank Thomas Locklear, who has become a friend, for suggesting to the museum’s board that I might be the right person for the job.
Years later, one of my great pleasures was writing a letter of recommendation on his behalf when Locklear applied for director at the Museum of the Everglades. In any case, the eight years I spent acting as the curator and historian at the museum was, what I thought, the last break. It was not.
For the last two-and-a-half years, I went back to bartending as a means of cobbling together the funds necessary to support my work as a writer and local historian. It is not a coincidence that I got a job at Robbie’s of Islamorada. I was pretty pushy with my barrage of emails and texts highlighting my experience and my love for the property.
It is not the first time I’ve worked on the property. About 20 years ago, I worked at the Kayak Shack renting kayaks, selling souvenirs and giving directions to those paddling out to Indian Key. I had just signed my first book deal for “Snorkeling Florida” with the University Press of Florida and would sometimes work on the manuscript at the shack. Now, they sell more of my books than anyone else in the Keys.
Getting a job at Robbie’s was never just about bartending. It was always about being on the property. Situated on Lower Matecumbe Key, within paddling distance of two amazing state parks, Robbie’s is at the center of some fascinating history and probably the reason I have
been drawn to this property since I moved to Plantation Key in 2001.
Working at the Beach Bar at Robbie’s has kept me close to Indian Key, Lignumvitae Key and the surprising history associated with the property. It has also given me time to figure out a way to bring history to the property.
Guided tours of Indian Key will be added once work on the island’s boat dock is completed. In the meantime, I have stories to tell during an event I’m calling “Tasting History.” Enjoy iconic island eats and unforgettable stories during a one-of-a-kind Florida Keys experience. This tasty, one-hour dive into local history starts with a rumrunner (invented in Islamorada) and ends with a slice of Key lime pie. In between, it’s all about conch, Conch culture and the Conch Republic while you sample two Keys staples, a bowl of conch chowder and two conch fritters. Join me Mondays and Thursdays at 11:30 a.m. or 2:30 p.m. for this intimate, flavor-packed trip through Keys culture and history.
To keep the event intimate, seating is limited to eight. While you are being served, I’ll share some local history, including how the rumrunner was invented, the importance of conch, its role in the island chain’s history, the birth of the Conch Republic and how the sponging industry helped create the Florida Keys dessert, Key lime pie. The cost is $50.
Book your seat and experience local food, history, and culture by visiting www.robbies.com and navigating to the Hungry Tarpon tab, or give me a call at 305-395-9889.
Dive into local history and enjoy a rumrunner, Key lime pie and conch chowder for a ‘Tasting History’ event with Brad Bertelli at Robbie’s in Islamorada. CONTRIBUTED
WHAT IS EATING MY GUMBO LIMBO? FRIEND OR FOE?
County Extension
is the University of Florida, IFAS County Extension environmental horticulture agent and master gardener volunteer coordinator.
Gumbo limbo trees are a beloved staple in Florida Keys landscapes. These native trees are drought-tolerant, fast-growing and provide resources to local wildlife. Their smooth, coppery bark and attractive foliage are eyecatching and recognizable.
Gumbo limbo trees are affectionately nicknamed the “tourist tree” as their bark resembles the skin of sunburned tourists. Before the advent of modern plastics, gumbo limbo wood was often used to carve carousel horses due to its soft and lightweight qualities. This iconic tree is closely associated with island life; you may even have one at home.
Gumbo limbos are relatively pest-resistant, with whiteflies being their most common threat. However, the Monroe County Extension
Skeletonization occurs when the soft tissue of a leaf is eaten away, leaving behind thicker veins and giving the leaf a skeletal appearance. MICHELLE LEONARD-MULARZ/ Contributed
Paectes nana caterpillar is an inconspicuous native moth species that feeds primarily on gumbo limbo trees.
Service has recently become aware of a different type of leaf damage on gumbo limbo trees, called skeletonization.
Skeletonization occurs when the soft tissue of a leaf is eaten away, leaving behind thicker veins and giving the leaf a skeletal appearance. Skeletonization often results in leaf loss. If you’ve noticed that the leaves on your tree look a bit chewed up, you’re not alone.
The culprit is Paectes nana, an inconspicuous native moth species that feeds primarily on gumbo limbo trees. You may be wondering what is causing the sudden increase in herbivory. Several factors could be at play. Most lepidoptera species (moths and butterflies) feed during specific seasons, so the time of year is likely a factor. Weather patterns also contribute to population trends. Periods of drought followed by heavy rainfall often trigger a flush of tender, nutritious new growth, which is especially attractive to hungry herbivores.
According to NOAA, South Florida experienced an abnormally dry spring, with above-average temperatures. This trend, punctuated by heavy rains in June, may have created opportunities for increased herbivory.
The good news is that your gumbo limbo can likely handle the extra nibbling. These trees are welladapted to periodic herbivory from caterpillars. However, if your tree is already stressed, due to poor planting, transplant shock or disease, it may be more vulnerable. If you are in doubt, contact the Monroe County Extension Environmental Horticulture Agent for guidance. I am happy to assess your trees and determine what actions, if any, should be taken.
If your tree is otherwise healthy, the best approach is to let nature take its course. Moths provide many ecosystem services that bolster the health of our local ecosystem. One of those services is pollination. While it has become common to keep butterflies in mind when landscaping, moths often go unnoticed. In fact, there are only about 800 species of butterflies in North America, compared to over 11,000 species of moths.
Supporting moth populations helps our environment; so if you don’t mind a little herbivory, a handsoff approach could be an easy way to support local biodiversity.
More information is at the Monroe County Extension Service at L.continentino@ufl.edu or 305-9989580.
Staff from your Monroe County Public Library recommend some of their favorites from the collection. What: “Charade” (1963)
Why: Could there be a better escape right now than heading to Paris in 1963 for a glossy, gorgeous romantic thriller starring a radiant Audrey Hepburn and a mature but still suave Cary Grant? She’s (unhappily) married when they meet, but not for long – and that kicks off the thriller part of the plot, as a group of her husband’s former friends show up looking for a lost treasure they think he stole. The cast includes a real who’s-who of mid-20th century white guys –Walter Matthau, James Coburn and George Kennedy all make appearances. Hepburn outshines them all, glamorous but still approachable as she outwits her pursuers and looks incredibly stylish even when she’s on the run for her life. I could watch this movie over and over. In fact, I have.
Where: This film is available on Kanopy, the Library’s streaming app.
How: You can browse and request DVDs online by logging in to your account at keyslibraries.org. To view our collection of streaming movies and TV, go to kanopy.com/ keyslibraries and set up an account with your library card. If you don’t have a card, you can visit your local branch or register online to get one. Questions? keyslibraries.org/ contact-us.
Recommended by: Nancy Klingener, community affairs manager.
See previous Reel Recs at keyslibraries.org/post/reel-recs.
A gumbo limbo tree. LIAH CONTINENTINO/Monroe
The Department of Education grades are based on a series of statewide assessments including the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking, end-of-course assessments, statewide science assessments and writing examples. Students take various tests during different school years and are looked at both as a group as they go from year to year and as a school.
Key Largo School is now an A-rated school, joining Poinciana Elementary and Plantation Key schools. The B-rated schools are Gerald Adams Elementary, Stanley Switlik Elementary, Sugarloaf and the three high schools.
There were notable increases in mathematics in the district’s elementary schools.
The board discussed Horace O’Bryant School in Key West and its unique challenges. HOB, as it is known, is the only C-rated school in the district. It has a large percentage of students who are learning English and the enrollment is declining. The middle school is much larger than the elementary school. Members of the district staff described the targeted efforts for special training and support of the teachers and staff.
Board members also focused on the results of advanced placement testing. There is a difference among the high schools in the district because Key West and
BRIEFLY
Man arrested for sexual assault
A 34-year-old Key Largo man was arrested on July 31 for an alleged sexual assault of a female juvenile. Gabriel Castillo Fernandez was also charged with lewd and lascivious behavior and kidnapping/false imprisonment. The investigation remains ongoing.
Proper pruning taught throughout the Keys Monroe County Environmental Resources recently led a hands-on Pruning with Purpose training at the Marathon Government Center, designed to align field practices with local landscaping codes and ANSI A300 industry standards. The training focused on real-world pruning techniques that support public safety, infrastructure protection and the
Marathon high school students have more opportunities for dual enrollment with the College of the Florida Keys. When students pass dual-enrollment classes, they earn credit for that class within the Florida higher education system, but not necessarily in schools outside the state.
Students at Coral Shores High School have fewer opportunities for dual enrollment, so they take more advanced placement classes than the other two schools. Students in advanced placement classes earn weighted grades on their GPA, but they don’t get college credit for the course unless they pass a standardized examination at the end of the school year. When they pass the standardized advanced placement test with a grade of 3 or better, they earn university credit in that subject that is recognized in and outside of Florida.
Board member Sue Woltanski pointed out that specific teachers in certain schools make the difference in how well students do on the standardized advanced placement tests. For example, 49 students took the test for advanced placement calculus at Coral Shores and 100% of them received a grade of 3 or higher. The other two high schools combined had 82% of the 61 students taking the exam get a high enough score to earn credit.
INPUT SOUGHT ON MANAGEMENT OF FLORIDA KEYS WILDLIFE AND ENVIRONMENTAL AREAS
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will present draft materials for the Florida Keys Wildlife and Environmental Area (WEA) 10-year Land Management Plan at a public hearing in Monroe County on Tuesday, Aug. 12 at 6:30 p.m.
The hearing will be held at the Marathon Government Center, 2798 Overseas Highway, second floor, in Marathon. The public will have the opportunity to comment and ask questions regarding the Land Management Plan for the FWC-managed WEA.
natural resource-focused outdoor recreational opportunities, such as hiking, paddling, kayaking and sightseeing.
“The Florida Keys WEA was purchased to ensure the preservation of fish, wildlife, and other natural and cultural resources for future generations, and to provide fish and wildlifefocused outdoor recreation opportunities to the public,” said Elizabeth Norregaard, FWC land conservation planner. “This Management Plan will specify how we intend to accomplish that goal.”
long-term health of vegetation. It included public works professionals from Monroe County, Islamorada and Marathon. More about proper pruning techniques and local regulations is at monroecounty-fl.gov/ prune.
The WEA is an archipelago of sites totaling 5,914 acres and stretching 80 miles from Key Largo to Sugarloaf and Saddlebunch Keys lying immediately northeast of Key West. These sites contain some of the best examples of undisturbed tropical hardwood hammocks remaining in Florida. The hammocks are critical feeding and resting areas for scores of migratory bird species on their way between the eastern half of North America, Latin America and the Caribbean.
Among the many unique imperiled and rare wildlife and plant species that occur on the area are the endangered Key deer, American crocodile, Lower Keys marsh rabbit, silver rice rat, wood stork, tree cactus, Garber’s spurge and three species of imperiled marine turtles: the green sea turtle, hawksbill sea turtle and loggerhead sea turtle. The WEA also offers several
More information on this and other upcoming public hearings is at myfwc.com/conservation – click on “Terrestrial Conservation” and “Management.”
Hunting and fishing regulations are not included in this plan or public hearing; they are addressed through a separate public process. Information about them is at myfwc.com/hunting or myfwc.com/fishing.
The draft elements of the Management Plan for the Florida Keys WEA are available from Elizabeth Norregaard at ann.norregaard@myfwc. com or Christina Omran at christina. omran@myfwc.com.
State law requires that all lands purchased with public funds must have a Land Management Plan that ensures the property will be managed in a manner that is consistent with the intended purposes of the purchase. — Contributed
Will Campbell President
In The Bleachers
NEWS OF THE WEIRD
For more than a year, Natasha Lavoie of British Columbia has been receiving phone calls about her missing cat, Torbo, United Press International reported. Problem is, her cat’s name is Mauser and is very much not missing. The mix-up mystery was finally traced to a T-shirt sold by Wisdumb NY, which features a lost cat poster that includes Lavoie’s phone number. Wisdumb NY said the shirt is no longer available and the “use of a real number within the art created was not intentional.” But Lavoie doesn’t want to change her number. “I’ve had my number for 20 years,” she said. “I’ll just keep not answering.”
Adam Dailies
Brevity
Ralph Bunche (1904-1971), activist/Nobel laureate; Garrison Keillor (1942- ), writer/entertainer; Wayne Knight (1955- ), actor; David Duchovny (1960- ), actor; Harold Perrineau (1963- ), actor; Jimmy Wales (1966- ), Wikipedia co-founder; Michael Shannon (1974- ), actor; Charlize Theron (1975- ), actress; Sidney Crosby (1987- ), hockey player; Mike Trout (1991- ), baseball player; Kyler Murray (1997- ), football player; Jalen Hurts (1998- ), football player.
In 1947, Norwegian anthropologist Thor Heyerdahl and his crew of five crashed into a reef at Raroia, near Tahiti, aboard their balsa-wood raft, Kon-Tiki. The 4,300mile, 101-day voyage from Peru was undertaken to prove that prehistoric South Americans could have colonized the Polynesian Islands.
“You get old and you realize there are no answers, just stories.”
Brevity
Nancy Dailies
TODAY’S FACT
TODAY’S QUOTE
TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS
— Garrison Keillor, “Pontoon”
1,350 -- height (in feet) of the wire suspended between the World Trade Center towers and walked by French high-wire artist Philippe Petit on this day in 1974. Petit walked back and forth, sat and even danced on the 131-foot-long wire for 45 minutes before surrendering to police.
In 1789, the U.S. Department of War was established.
In 2007, Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants hit his 756th career home run, surpassing the record set by Hank Aaron.
In 1942, the U.S. 1st Marine Division landed on the island of Guadalcanal, marking the first major American offensive of World War II.
See if you can find the hidden pictures. Then color the picture.
In 1964, Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution in response to reported Vietnamese attacks.
MINI SPY CLASSICS
Mini Spy is taking food to a friend who’s been sick.
Photo courtesy of Jean-Louis Blondeau/Polaris
Kevin Rushforth/Wikipedia
Founded by Betty Debnam
How To Be a Social Helper
Mini Idea: Think about how good it feels for you to receive a smile or a compliment. You can make someone else feel that good!
Are you wondering what school might be like this year? Many kids get a little anxious about the new year beginning.
While it probably won’t take long for you to feel at home, we wanted to pass along some ideas that might help.
WHAT DOES ‘SOCIAL’ MEAN?
When we say someone is social (SO-shul), we mean that he or she gets along with others. They make the right choices. They respond to others’ needs. They are good companions, friends and members of the school community. Sometimes, kids might feel that they don’t fit in or that they don’t belong. We all have social problems at one time or another.
BE A SOCIAL HELPER
That’s where a social helper might step in. These students are aware of the clues when a classmate is in need of a friend, a smile, a pat on the back or a compliment.
By being sensitive to the feelings of others and doing something that helps, kids get a good feeling themselves. True, kids can’t solve all problems, but they can help. It’s the job of teachers, principals and counselors to help, too.
• Responsibility • Hard work
• Self-discipline
• Loyalty
• Caring • Honesty
• Trust • Respect
Kids who are sensitive to others’ feelings also have these traits:
Let’s think about some clues of social problems and what a solution might be.
ON A SCHOOL BUS
Clue: One kid is teasing another kid, who is getting upset at being picked on.
Suggestion for social helpers: Ask the kid being teased to come and sit by you so she can move away from the teaser.
ON THE PLAYGROUND
Clue: A boy is walking around the edge of the playground by himself. He is not taking part in any games.
Suggestion for social helpers: Walk up to the kid with a smile on your face and ask him to join in your group.
IN THE LUNCHROOM
Clue: A girl is sitting at a lunch table. Nobody is sitting on either side of her. She looks like she feels very alone.
Suggestion for social helpers: Go and sit in one of the vacant seats next to her. Talk about something you think she might be interested in. Enjoy lunchtime together.
What other ideas do you have about being a social helper? Share your thoughts with your classmates or your family.
Words that remind us of social helpers are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find: ALONE, ANXIOUS, APOLOGIZE, CLASSMATE, CLUES, COMPLIMENT, FEELINGS, HELPER, MODEL, OFFER, POSITIVE, ROLE, RULES, SCHOOL, SENSITIVE, SMILE, SOCIAL, TEASE, VOLUNTEER, YEAR.
WHAT DO HELPERS DO?
Students who are social helpers are usually also leaders in the classroom. We call these kids role models. How can you be a leader in your class?
• Volunteer for a class job. Many teachers choose students to do regular chores in the classroom. Tell your teacher you’d like to have a job.
• Offer to help others. Are you really good at math or art? Talk with your teacher about helping other students with subjects that you love.
• Follow the rules when you’re playing a game, and be kind to those who don’t play as well as you.
• Know when to say you’re sorry. If you’ve made a mistake, be willing to apologize and do what’s needed to make it right.
• Be positive. Give a compliment to someone. Smile. Share a joke.
Children who are social helpers might be likely to become teachers, school counselors, health care workers, volunteers or religious leaders.
RESOURCES
On the Web:
• bit.ly/MPclique
At the library:
• “Empathy Is Your Super Power: A Book About Understanding the Feelings of Others” by Cori Bussolari
• “It’s Brave To Be Kind” by Natasha Daniels
ECO NOTE
Sulfur-crested cockatoos in Sydney, Australia, have mastered the ability to operate drinking fountains, using their feet and beaks to twist handles and sip water. Researchers observed the birds with remote cameras, capturing over 500 attempts in 44 days with about 70% of the local flock trying the technique. Scientists believe the cockatoos learned the skill by watching people and each other, turning the activity into both social and playful behaviors. This fountain-opening skill follows a previous urban innovation by the same birds — lifting garbage bin lids.
The Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority has surplus vehicles and equipment for sale. These vehicles can be viewed on-line at www.publicsurplus. com, Region: Florida, Agency: Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority. SURPLUS VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT, WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR IN PERSON REVIEW ON THE FOLLOWING DATES AND TIMES
August 7th & 8th
9:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.
FKAA Big Coppitt Pump Station
U.S. Hwy. 1 MM 10.5
Oceanside
Bids for vehicles and equipment must be submitted on www. publicsurplus.com, Region: Florida, Agency: Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority. Payments for winning bids must also be processed through this site. No physical bids will be accepted.
Bids are due August 11, 2025 by 4:00pm EST. Any questions should be directed to David Jackson, Purchasing Manager, in writing via email to djackson@ fkaa.com.
The Governing Board of Directors of the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority reserves the right to reject any and all bids, in whole or in part, to waive any irregularities or informalities in any bid, and to award to any party considered to be in the best interest of the Authority The motor vehicles are being sold “as is” with any and all faults. There is no warranty expressed or implied. The Seller disclaims any implied warranty of any type or kind whatsoever, whether originating with the Florida
Keys Aqueduct Authority, the vehicle dealer, or vehicle manufacturer, or of the fitness of the same for any purpose, and the Buyer agrees that the vehicle is being sold “as is.” Gregory W. Veliz, Executive Director Publish: August 7, 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 an “At Large” representative - Any resident who is not directly involved in a tourism business and who shall represent the general public and shall live or work within the tax collection district for which they are applying. (The operative word within this description is directly. This word means someone who is not in business, nor whose business or economic activity are dependent upon tourists.)
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 The deadline for receipt of application at the above address is 5:00 p.m. on Friday,
September 19, 2025. A resume may be attached to the application. Publish: August 7, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at 3:00 P.M., the Monroe County Purchasing Office will receive and open sealed responses for the following: Perimeter Fence Maintenance, Repair, and Modification
Key West International Airport Monroe County, Florida Pursuant to F.S. § 50.0211(3) (a), all published competitive solicitation notices can be viewed at: www. floridapublicnotices.com, a searchable Statewide repository for all published legal notices. Requirements for submission and the selection criteria may be requested from the County’s electronic bidding platform at bonfirehub.comhttps://monroecounty-fl. OR www. monroecounty-fl.gov/ BonfireBids. The Public Record is available upon request.
Monroe County Purchasing Department receives bids via the Bonfire electronic bidding platform. Please do not email, mail or attempt to deliver in person any sealed bids. Emailed/mailed/physically delivered bids/proposals/ responses WILL NOT be accepted.
The Monroe County Purchasing Department hereby directs that bids be submitted via the Bonfire electronic bidding platform at bonfirehub.com,https://monroecounty-fl. no later than 3:00P.M. on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. There is no cost to the bidder to use the Bonfire platform. Please do not submit
PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE
The Monroe County Value Adjustment Board will hold its 2025 Organizational Meeting on Friday, August 22, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., at the Marathon Government Center, 2798 Overseas Highway, BOCC Chambers, 2nd floor, Marathon.
The purpose of this meeting is to appoint Special Magistrates pursuant to the provisions of F.S. 194.035, and any other matters that may properly come before the Board.
Any person who anticipates appealing a decision of the VAB should make sure a verbatim record of the proceeding is made (see s. 286.0105, F.S.).
Any person with a disability who needs special accommodations to participate in this proceeding should call 305-295-3950 prior to the scheduled meeting.
Value Adjustment Clerk, Kevin Madok, CPA, Monroe County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller ex-officio to the Value Adjustment Board
Publish: August 7, 2025. The Weekly Newspapers
The Monroe County Tourist Development Council has funding available to governmental entities and non-profit organizations for capital projects for a second round for only District II (from city limits of Key West to west end of Seven Mile Bridge) and District V (from Mile Marker 90.940 to the Dade/Monroe County Line and any portions of mainland Monroe County).
The project/facility must have the primary purpose of promoting tourism and must fall into one of the following categories:
Convention Center, Sports Stadium, Sports Arena, Coliseum, Auditorium, Aquarium, Museum, Zoological Park, Nature Center, Fishing Pier, Beach or Beach Park Facility, Channel, Estuary, or Lagoon, Public Facilities in Accordance with Conditions set forth in the Florida Statutes.
The deadline for receipt of applications is 5:00 p.m. on August 27, 2025, and applications must be downloaded from the County’s Bonfire platform. For more information, please email maxine@fla-keys.com.
July 31 and August 7, 14 & 21, 2025. The Weekly Newspapers
your confidential financial information as part of your proposal. There are separate uploads for each set of documents, including confidential financial information. All proposals will be made public on the platform after an intended decision or 30 days, whichever is earlier, unless the bids/ proposals are rejected in accordance with F.S. 119.071. If your proposal document includes financial information, that information will not be considered confidential and will be available and viewable to the public in accordance with public records law. In the event of a discrepancy between the bid amount on the Proposal Form and the bid amount entered in Bonfire, the bid amount listed in the “Proposal Form” provided by Monroe County in the RFP is the amount that will be utilized by the County when considering the bid proposal. The County reserves the right to waive any proposal/bid irregularity.
The bid opening for this solicitation will be held virtually, via the internet, at 3:00 P.M., on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. You may call in by phone or internet using the following: Join Zoom Meeting https://mcbocc.zoom. us/j/4509326156
Meeting ID: 4509326156
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Publish:
August 7, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
PROBATE DIVISION
File No. 25-CP-000270-K
Division: Probate IN RE: ESTATE OF JOHN BROWN EVANS, Deceased.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The administration of the estate of John Brown Evans, deceased, whose date of death was May 12, 2025, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative's attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.
The date of first publication of this notice is July 31, 2025.
Personal Representative: John Caleb Evans 504 SW South Carolina Dr Stuart, FL 34994
Attorney for Personal Representative: Aliana M. Payret
Florida Bar No.104377
Robinson Pecaro & Mier, P.A.
201 N. Kentucky Ave., Suite 2 Lakeland, Florida 33801
Publish: July 31 & August 7, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers
IN THE CIRCIIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY CASE NO: 2025-CA-129-K Premier Capital, LLC Plaintiff, Vs Carolyn M. Delgado and William J. Delgado Defendant, NOTICE OF SHERIFF’S SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY given that pursuant to a Writ of Execution issued in the Circuit Court, of Monroe County, Florida, on the 21st day of May, 2025, in the cause wherein Premier Capital, LLC is Plaintiff and Carolyn M. Delgado and William J. Delgado was defendant, being Case No. 2025-CA129-K in said court, I, Richard A. Ramsay, Sheriff of Monroe County, Florida have levied upon all right, title, and interest of the defendant, in and to the following described real property to wit: SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY:
From the warranty deed that states the following described land, situate, lying and being in Monroe County, Florida to-wit: Legal Description(s) –On the Island of Key West, Monroe County, Florida, and known on William A. Whitehead’s map delineated in February A.D. 1829, as part of Tract 11 but better known as part of Lot 3, Square 9, Tract 11 according to Charles W. Tift’s Map of said Island recorded in Deed Book “L” Page 564, of the Public Records of Monroe County, Florida and being more particularly described by metes and bounds as follows: Commencing at the intersection of the Southwesterly right of way boundary line of Duval Street with the Northwesterly right of way boundary line of United Street and run in a Southwesterly direction along the said right of way boundary line of United Street a distance of 100 feet to the Point of Beginning of the parcel of land herein described, thence at right angles in the Northwesterly direction 84.17 feet to a point; thence at right angles in a Southwesterly direction 26.3 feet to a point; thence at right angles in a Southeasterly direction 84.17 feet to a point in the Northwesterly direction along the said right of way line of United Street a distance of 26.3 feet back to the point of Beginning.
SPECIFIC LOCATION OF REAL
PROPERTY:
421 United Street Key West, Florida 33040
All bidders must have a valid Driver’s License with them and must register with the clerk at location of sale prior to start time of sale. I shall offer this property for sale, at the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Headquarters building located at 5525 College Road Key West, Florida 33040 in the County of Monroe, State of Florida, on the 28th day of August, 2025, at the hour of 10:00 A.M. or as soon thereafter as possible. I will offer for sale all of the said defendant’s right, title, and interest in the aforesaid real property at public auction and will sell the same subject to all taxes, prior liens, encumbrances
and judgments, if any, to the highest and best bidder for CASH IN HAND. The proceeds to be applied as far as may be to the payment of costs and the satisfaction of the above described execution.
Dated at Key West, Monroe County, Florida this 9th day of June, 2025.
Richard A. Ramsay Sheriff of Monroe County, Florida
By: Donald Stullken Deputy Sheriff In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons with disabilities needing a special accommodation to participate in this proceeding should contact the Civil Division no later than seven says prior to the proceeding at (305)8093041.
Publish: July 17, 24 & 31 and August 7, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 16TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 25-DR-805-M RICARDO HERRERA TORRES, Petitioner, and ADIANES GOMEZ, Respondent.
NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE (NO CHILD OR FINANCIAL SUPPORT) TO: ADIANES GOMEZ RESPONDENT’S LAST KNOWN ADDRESS: UNKNOWN YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action for dissolution of marriage has been filed against you and that you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on Ricardo Herrera Torres, whose address is 240 Sombrero Beach Road, Apt. D8, Marathon, FL 33050 on or before September 7, 2025, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 3117 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050 before service on Petitioner or immediately thereafter. If you fail to do so, a default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the petition. The action is asking the court to decide how the following real or personal property should be divided: NONE Copies of all court documents in this case, including orders, are available at the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office. You may review these documents upon request. You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office notified of your current address. (You may file Designation of Current Mailing and E-Mail Address, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.915.) Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed or e-mailed to the address(es) on record at the clerk’s office. WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, requires certain automatic disclosure of documents and information. Failure to comply can result in sanctions, including dismissal or striking of pleadings.
Dated: July 29, 2025 Kevin Madok, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Leslie Rodriguez
Deputy Clerk
Publish: August 7, 14, 21 & 28, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
AUTOS ALL YEARS! Junk or Used Cars, Vans, Trucks. Runs or Not.$CASH 305-332-0483
AUTOS FOR SALE
2003 Ford Explorer. 174k miles, runs greathave svc. records from 89k miles, A/C works. REDUCED to $3000OBO Bring an offer! Located in Marathon. Call Evan 305-417-0169
PLACE YOUR AUTO FOR SALE AD HERE. $25/ week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305-4170871 or email Anneke@ KeysWeekly.com
PLACE YOUR BOAT FOR SALE AD HERE. $25/ week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305-4170871 or email Anneke@ KeysWeekly.com
BOAT SLIP FOR RENT
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
PLACE YOUR BOAT SLIP FOR RENT AD HERE. $25/week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305-417-0871 or email Anneke@ KeysWeekly.com
FOR SALE: Charter Boat Business & Equipment for sale. Located in Marathon, Florida. CALL 305-240-3270
Boat rental company in Marathon needs workers – Boat drivers, Truck drivers, Boat cleaners & Boat detailing. Call 305-481-7006
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/
Handyman needed for residence in Marathon. Call:305-395-0478 bbrayman@proton.me
Serve/Bartend on the ocean! The Cabana Club, an ocean front private swim club is seeking a customer service-oriented Server/ Bartender. Serve on pool deck, beach and/ or bar lounge. Open year round, 9:30am7pm daily. Full time/ Part time. Small friendly staff. Above average hourly wage plus tips. Apply in person at 425 E. Ocean Dr. Key Colony Beach or call 404-2193359 and ask for Dave.
PLACE YOUR EMPLOYMENT AD HERE.
$25/week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305-4170871 or email Anneke@ KeysWeekly.com
HOBBIES/COLLECT.
PRIVATE COLLECTOR
WANTS Rolex, Dive Watches and Pilot Watches. Old Model Military Clocks & Watches. Call 305-743-4578
HOUSING FOR RENT
UNFURNISHED 2/2 HOUSE FOR RENT ON CANAL, MM27, Ramrod Key, recently refurbished and painted, w/d, utilities paid by owner, $3000/month, security negotiable, fenced yard, available now. Pete 786-649-9833 or pprm1119@aol.com
3BR/3BA fully furnished home for rent in Marathon. Available now. REDUCED to $3,300/mo. 618-559-9143
2BR/1BA house for rent in Marathon. Competely remodeled. All appliances. No pets. $2700/mo incl. electric only. F/L/S Dock available for sep. fee. 305-610-8002
2BR/1BA with outdoor patio for rent in Marathon. $2,100/month F/L/S Taking applications. 305-849-5793
RENTED IN LESS THAN ONE WEEK!!!
Furnished Studio Apt. for rent in Marathon. 1 person only. No smoking. No pets. $1,100/ month incl. water and electric. 305-743-9876 RENTED IN LESS THAN THREE WEEKS!!!
2BR/1BA for rent in Key Colony Beach. 800 sq. ft., fully furnished, across from park, one block from beach. 3 month min. REDUCED to $2750/month + sales & TDT taxes if less than 6 mos.. F/L/S 786-285-9476 fjvillegascpa@ gmail.com PENDING!
PLACE YOUR HOUSING FOR RENT AD HERE. $25/week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305-417-0871 or email Anneke@ KeysWeekly.com
RV FOR SALE
2017 Fleetwood Discovery 39F Diesel Pusher For Sale. Only 35k miles. Located in Grassy Key. $135,000 757-477-2450
5th Wheel 27' Forest River Travel Trailer For Sale. Located in Key West. $9,500 OBO 305-848-7070
PLACE YOUR RV FOR SALE AD HERE. $25/ week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305-4170871 or email Anneke@ KeysWeekly.com
VACATION RENTAL
Key West House For Rent - 28 day minimum. Recently renovated. 2 Units: 3BR/3BA or 2BR/2.5BA. 1 block to Schooner Wharf @ Historic Seaport. Starting $214/ night. Sweet CarolineSeaport.com
YARD SALES
SARA’S ESTATE SALE @ WATERFRONT MANSION in KCB @ 150 12th Street. Fri, Aug. 8 and Sat, Aug. 9 from 9a-1p both days. Think “Caribbean Plantation” w/ hi-quality bedroom & dining sets, & pops of fun: home theatre seating for 5 & outdoor shuffleboard table that closes for party or opens for play! Ernest Hemingway Collection by Thomasville king bed set (4 pieces) is textured: wood, rattan, pewter & stone. A virtual FOREST of faux and silk plants, 100+pieces, from 12” to 8’ tall. Ashley table, solid wood, seats 8 with console and big hutch, amazing carved detail. Plus 2 more dining sets to seat 4 each. Accent furniture: lounger, armchairs, sm cabinets & benches. Plus faux book boxes, area rugs, bedding sets, throw pillows & like new stove and oven range, kid’s books & our famous dollar table! Follow the signs and park across the street at Sunset Park.
PLACE YOUR YARD SALE AD HERE. $25/ week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305-4170871 or email Anneke@ KeysWeekly.com
Keys Energy Services, in Key West, Florida, 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.
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!
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.
NOW H I RI NG!
wants you to join their team!
RETAIL GIFT SHOP ASSOCIATE
Full-time. $19/hour to start.
EMAIL resume to: TurtleHospital@TurtleHospital.org APPLY in person: 2396 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL
e Turtle Hospital in Marathon
Join our team! Full and part-time Educational Program Guides/ Gift Shop Sales. Public speaking & retail sales experience helpful. $19/hour to start. Send resume to: turtlehospital@turtlehospital.org
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.
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
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 Therapist (CAT)
Behavioral Health Therapist (Children)
KEY WEST
Case Manager (Children, Adult) (FT) Prevention Specialist Advocate
MARATHON
Advocate Care Coordinator (PT)
Driver (CDL not required) (PT)
RN/Licensed Practical Nurse (FT,PT)
*Support Worker (Assisted Living) (PT)
*Behavioral Health Technicians – 3 shifts (FT,PT)
*Night Monitor (Assisted Living - Free Housing)
*No experience required for this position. Will train. A caring heart & helpful hands necessary.
Background and drug screen req. EEOC/DFWP COMPETITIVE PAY! EXCEPTIONAL BENEFITS!!!
Apply at guidancecarecenter.org - Get Involved/ Join our team/Job Opportunities/location/zip
DUI FRONT DESK CLERK & EVALUATOR/INSTRUCTOR
The Advocate Program DUI school is hiring for part time positions.
Front desk: 3 days a week, high school diploma and computer data entry skills required.
DUI instructors and evaluators: 2 days a week, Bachelors or Masters degree in substance abuse eld required.
Of ce located in Marathon. Contact Marcia at 305-704-0117.
MARATHON GARBAGE SERVICE
We
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
- 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
FACILITY MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR – FULL TIME WITH BENEFITS.
40 hours per week at the Keys Marine Laboratory (KML), Layton, Florida.
KML supports research and academic programs conducted by universities/colleges throughout Florida, the US, and internationally. Duties include all facility maintenance of buildings, grounds, and equipment (e.g. janitorial, preventive, repair).
To apply for this opening visit: Careers@USF and search for Job ID 41130.
MARINA CASHIER
Looking for a friendly, dependable team member who can handle a busy retail environment with a great a itude. Customer service experience and willingness to learn our sales system is ideal. Duties include assisting customers, restocking, placing orders, and keeping the store clean and organized.
This is an hourly position with pay based on experience. Flexible hours with a consistent weekly schedule. Morning and a ernoon shi s available.
Please respond by email (Ma at islamarinama @gmail.com) with any relevant previous experience and at least two references.
