Se habla español THE UPPER KEYS WEEKLY (ISSN 1944-0812) IS PUBLISHED WEEKLY FOR $125 PER YEAR BY WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, INC., 9709 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, MARATHON FL 33050. APPLICATION TO MAIL AT PERIODICALS POSTAGE RATES IS PENDING AT FORT LAUDERDALE FL AND ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES.
All stories, photos, and graphics are copyrighted materials.
Postmaster SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO THE KEYS WEEKLY, 9709 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, MARATHON FL 33050
News Deadline
Monday Noon
Advertising Deadline
Tuesday 2 p.m.
@KeysWeekly
@theWeekly
Members of
$28M
A vessel check by the U.S. Coast Guard Station Miami Beach on Dec. 2 led to the discovery of 3,715 pounds of cocaine worth roughly $28 million. The suspected drug smuggling boat was 2 miles from shore when it was stopped. “This was the largest USCG small boat station cocaine seizure since 1995,” said Lt. Matthew Ross, Coast Guard Station Miami Beach commanding officer.
Monroe County Commissioner Holly Raschein and John Grove Scelzo participate in the annual Key Largo Bridge Run on Dec. 6. JIM McCARTHY/Keys Weekly
HORTON PICKED AS MAYOR, MAHONEY VICE MAYOR
Council takes no action on baseball license agreement
JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com
Islamorada Village Council members unanimously approved Don Horton as mayor for the upcoming year during a Dec. 9 meeting at the Founders Park Community Center. A mayor in a council-manager form of government is the ceremonial head of the municipality. Horton will preside over council meetings and will be head of the village government for ceremonial matters. The mayor serves a one-year term.
Sharon Mahoney, who’s served as mayor for the past year, was chosen vice mayor via 5-0 vote.
Following the selections, the council members took a brief recess to change their seats. Council members proceeded through a hefty agenda, which included approval of a draft baseball license agreement with the Monroe County School District.
Council members ultimately took no action on the agreement, due to a number of corrections and adjustments needed on the 18-page document. The school district is seeking to enhance the Founders Park baseball field, which serves as home to the Coral Shores High School baseball program. The project is currently estimated at $6 million.
The school district and village already approved an agreement related to the infrastructure improvements for the baseball field. The property is owned by the village and has been leased for the past 20 years to the school district for use for Coral Shores’ varsity and jayvee baseball teams. The license agreement outlines the rights and obligations for the reconstruction and use of the baseball field and construction of related improvements.
Per the agreement, the school district is responsible for the improvements, which includes a new multi-use building behind home plate, new dugouts and a new playing surface. The school district is proposing to go with artificial turf. The debate over a
playing surface continues in the village, however.
One of the sticking points in the draft baseball license agreement is language pertaining to the termination notice. The interlocal agreement and the draft licensing agreement list it as two years, but the school district is seeking to increase that to five years.
“It’s been over 20 years. Let’s be real. They don’t have room at the school for a baseball field,” said councilwoman Anna Richards, who supports the Coral Shores baseball’s program at the Founders Park baseball field.
Mahoney said she didn’t want to approve the license agreement due to “all kinds of mistakes” in the draft document. She sought clarity on use of the field by the school district during weekends.
“What’s a weekend? Saturdays and Sundays? It should say Saturdays only,” she said.
She also took issue with the agreement’s lack of language stating the village has a say in the construction of the field, including the specific kind of turf.
“That’s what we (the council) all agreed to,” she continued.
Horton said he’d like the agreement to include monthly progress reports, similar to what the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority has provided over the last year for the water main installation, on the construction of the field. The work isn’t anticipated to begin until after the 2026 high school baseball season.
In other matters, the council voted 5-0 to approve the local government and utility management consulting firm Rafetlis to conduct a wastewater rate and capacity fee study. The contract won’t exceed $35,000.
The village’s wastewater utility requires an updated rate and fee study to ensure that the rate structure, system development charges and long-term financial planning remain accurate, equitable and aligned with current and projected needs. The study comes as the village and Key Largo Wastewater Treatment District work to resolve issues plaguing the village’s system, which sends effluent to the KLWTD plant at MM 100.3. The village is working through a consent order from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to alleviate issues at the North Plantation Key pump station and breaks in the wastewater line at MM 92 in Tavernier.
Outgoing Islamorada Mayor Sharon Mahoney shakes hands with incoming Mayor Don Horton during the Dec. 9 meeting. Mahoney was picked to be vice mayor. JIM McCARTHY/Keys Weekly
HUNDREDS SCALE BRIDGE INTO THE FLORIDA KEYS
Key Largo runner wins 5K, Coral Gables harrier takes 10K
Some 425 runners and walkers from 10 states took off from Anchorage Resort to the bridge connecting the 18-Mile Stretch and the Florida Keys on Dec. 6 for the 15th annual Key Largo Bridge Run.
Participants in the 5K and 10K races scaled Jewfish Creek Bridge, where they took in views of Florida Bay, Lake Surprise and the Everglades.
Giorgio Leone, 39, of Coral Gables won the overall 10k with a time of 44:46.94. Key Largo’s Lucy Wiedmar, 25, took the overall women’s 10k division in 52:01.18. Women’s 10K Masters winner Marilyn Zuniga, 41, of Miami, posted a time of 58:58.60
Crossing the finish line first in the 5K was Key Largo resident Holly Smith, 40. She cruised to victory with a time of 20 minutes, 23.80 seconds. Julian Costa, 34, of Orlando took the overall men’s 5K division in 20:47.46.
Miami’s Lee Wilkinson-Brown, 42, won the men’s 5K masters division with a time of 23:29.22. Women’s 5K Masters winner Elizabeth Souto, 47, of Key Largo, posted a time of 29:11.05.
The race’s oldest finisher was Bob James, 80, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, while the youngest was 4-year-old J. Bastron of Tavernier. Bob Arnold, 64, of Tavernier won the men’s 60-64 age division with a time of 24:17.70.
More information is at keylargobridgerun.com.
— Keys Weekly staff report
Hundreds participate in
15th annual Key Largo Bridge Run during the early morning hours of Dec. 6. Photos by Jim McCarthy and Doug Finger. Visit keysweekly.com for a full gallery.
MEN ARRESTED FOR ALLEGED THEFT OF KEY LARGO STORAGE TRAILER
Firearms were among the items recovered from a storage trailer which two men were accused of stealing from a Key Largo property on Dec. 3. MCSO/Contributed
Two men were arrested in Hillsborough County for the alleged theft of a storage trailer in Key Largo containing some $35,000 worth of property, including firearms.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office received a report on Dec. 3 that a 2025 TR Extreme storage trailer was stolen from a property on Tortuga Drive. The trailer contained household items, appliances, tools, clothing, hunting gear and some 25 firearms, several of which are family heirlooms.
Detectives collected evidence that led them to a self-storage unit in Tampa where the two suspects, 53-year-old Carlos A. Cortes Pedraza, of Tampa, and 36-year-old Heriberto Ivan Del La Hoz Medina, of Brandon, were observed moving the stolen property. Detectives obtained search warrants for Pedraza’s residence, the self-storage unit in Tampa, and other properties. The search found stolen items from the Key Largo trailer. Some of those firearms were recovered.
Pedraza and Del La Hoz Medina were taken into custody and will be transported to Monroe County where they will face charges. Each faces charges of grand theft of a motor vehicle, grand theft of firearms, armed burglary of a conveyance and petit theft.
Pedraza has a bond of $455,000 and Del La Hoz Medina has a bond of $505,000.
— Keys Weekly staff report
BUS CARRYING MARATHON SOCCER TEAMS CATCHES FIRE
ALEX RICKERT
alex@keysweekly.com
The Marathon High School boys and girls soccer teams averted disaster when a bus carrying the squads to a game in Miami went up in flames on the side of Interstate 75 on Dec. 8.
There were no reported injuries.
Speaking with the Weekly via phone that afternoon, both MHS Athletic Director Lance Martin and a parent of one of the athletes said the bus broke down on the side of the interstate after the teams heard a loud noise coming from the engine compartment. Minutes after the teams evacuated, the rear of the bus was engulfed.
MORE ICE ACTIVITY IN THE UPPER KEYS
Video of U.S. citizen briefly detained draws national attention
U.S.
vehicles
Park the morning of Dec. 3. Right: Federal agents in unmarked cars at the Rowell’s Waterfront Park entrance the morning of Dec. 3. NICK
JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com
Aharrowing video showing federal immigration agents detaining a woman in medical scrubs — and screaming that she’s a U.S. citizen — along U.S. 1 in Key Largo has captured a national audience.
The incident on Dec. 3 at MM 103 was caught on camera by Miami Herald reporter David Goodhue and showed several agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Border Patrol and U.S. Customs & Border Protection taking the woman out of the car. She was eventually handcuffed following a struggle.
At one point in the video, she is on the ground, looking at the camera, screaming “I’m a U.S. citizen.”
“They placed me inside their car, and while I was restrained, I watched them search through my personal belongings — including my purse — without my consent,” she said in her statement. “I know I have the right to not consent to a search, yet my rights were not respected.”
The incident seen on camera between the woman and federal agents came as immigration enforcement stops have been seen in the Upper Keys in recent weeks. Video and photos by Nick Rodriguez showed marked and unmarked cars at Rowell’s Waterfront Park in Key Largo during the early morning of Dec. 3 before the incident.
Firefighters from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue put out the blaze as the teams waited on the side of the highway for a backup bus before continuing on to their matches at Franklin Academy.
Students aboard the bus told the Weekly that the teams had already stopped once in Key Largo before the breakdown after noticing smoke coming from the engine compartment of the bus. These reports were corroborated by multiple social media comments as news of the blaze spread.
“I was traveling up to Weston today and saw this bus on the 18 (Mile) stretch with a lot of smoke coming out of the engine compartment,” said one commenter. “The driver never once pulled over and actually drove another 40+ miles like that.”
The woman, who wasn’t identified, was eventually released. But the interaction sparked attention and response among elected officials, the public and media outlets.
A spokesperson with U.S. Customs and Border Protection said the woman was driving a vehicle registered to an undocumented migrant, and that she refused to roll her window down and hand over her driver’s license. Agents handcuffed the woman, searched the vehicle, found her license and confirmed she was a U.S. citizen.
But in a statement to the Miami Herald and Local 10, the woman, who requested not to be identified, said she indeed rolled her window down once the agents approached her vehicle. Any claim otherwise is false, she said.
Marked and unmarked vehicles, and even a U.S. Customs and Border Protection helicopter, were spotted along the road and in the air in Key Largo last month. Stops made by federal agents on Nov. 21 resulted in the arrests of 12 individuals, from Nicaragua, Cuba, Venezuela, Colombia and Guatemala who had prior charges and convictions ranging from illegal re-entry after deportation to resisting an officer and domestic violence.
Some stops over the course of the past weeks have occurred not far from Key Largo School during the early morning hours. A stop last month on a white van by CBP and Florida Highway Patrol led to a foot pursuit and a subsequent lockdown of KLS during the early morning. The person was eventually caught and the school reopened to students and staff.
Left:
Border Patrol
at Rowell’s Waterfront
RODRIGUEZ/Contributed
Sam Steele
monroetaxcollector.com 305.295.5000
DECEMBER
• Mobile home registrations expire on December 31.
• Save money on your property taxes by paying in December and receive a 3% discount
• The third property tax installment for 2025 is due December 31.
• Our o ces will be closed December 24–26 and January 1–2 for the holidays.
• Your friends at the Tax Collector’s O ce wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Follow us on for more imortant tax information.
Islamorada, Village of Islands REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
FOUNDERS PARK RON LEVY AQUATIC CENTER DOOR AND WINDOW REPLACEMENT PROJECT - RFP 25-07
Bid Submittal Deadline: 3:00 p.m. January 7, 2026
Islamorada, Village of Islands (the “Village”) is seeking formal proposals from qualified contractors to complete the Founders Park Ron Levy Aquatic Center Door and Window Replacement Project, the “Project”.
The Project includes removal and installation of six (6) doors and twenty (20) windows in full compliance with all applicable NOA specifications at the Founders Park Ron Levy Aquatic Center.
Go to www.islamorada.fl.us/Bids.aspx?BidID=49 to view and download the bid documents for complete information including the full scope of services, eligibility criteria link to plans and exhibits, and submittal instructions.
Established in 2017, Islamorada Pools has been transforming yards into stunning oases and bringing dreams to life with exceptional cra smanship, innovative designs and a passion for creating unforge able swimming pool experiences.
Islamorada Pools provides custom designs for both residential and commercial projects. They pride themselves on their reliability and commitment to community.
Contact them at 305.852.3133 if you would like to see your backyard turn into a dream getaway.
‘HAVE YOU SUFFERED ENOUGH YET?’
How a Marathon mother navigated childbirth, after ICE took her husband away
ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com
On Nov. 18, Marathon resident Liennys Escalona gave birth to a baby boy. If he had been born a month earlier, her husband, Dasnier Barea Levya, would have been by her side.
But on the day in question, Dasnier was locked in a cage at Alligator Alcatraz.
On Halloween, Dasnier was driving to work at Paradise Tattoo in Key West when he noticed a Customs and Border Patrol truck following him. Minutes later, Liennys said, she was pleading with an officer via speakerphone to explain her husband’s situation.
“(Dasnier) gave him his ID and work permit, the officer went to the computer, came back and said, ‘You do not have a legal status to be here. I have to take you,’” she recalled. “I was picking up my son, I was 37 weeks pregnant, and I had a panic attack and started crying. I just tried to believe this wasn’t happening.”
Both born in Cuba, Liennys and Dasnier met at a local Carnaval celebration – just three months before Liennys would leave for the United States in March of 2017.
“A lot of people don’t believe in this, but it was a first-sight love,” Liennys said.
Dasnier would later come to the U.S. seeking asylum in 2019, marrying Liennys in December that same year. He was processed at the border, had his first court date in a detention center, and was released on a $10,000 bond with his asylum case pending. He wore an electronic ankle bracelet for about two years as he awaited the outcome of his case, attending a second hearing as required.
After arriving in the U.S., Liennys was granted parole and successfully sought her own path to citizenship under the Cuban Adjustment Act. But Dasnier was handed an I-220A, a document allowing him to work and live in the U.S. as his asylum case played out – but not valid to use as parole and seek citizenship under the Cuban Adjustment Act.
As Dasnier’s final court date inched closer, Liennys, now a U.S. citizen after being paroled herself, prepared and presented an I-130 petition in July 2022, used to provide an eligible spouse or relative of a citizen with a path to obtain a green card.
Seeing the petition was in process, an immigration judge ordered Dasnier’s case closed on July 22, 2022, according to court records from the Department of Justice’s Executive Office for Immigration Review.
“The judge decided to close the case because we were going through that other way of getting him citizenship,” Liennys said.
In July of 2023, a notice from the Department of Homeland Security told Liennys her petition for Dasnier was approved.
Originally taken to the Marathon CBP facility, officers told Liennys that Dasnier had a chance to be released if she presented all of his original immigration paperwork.
“I gave them all the papers we had, but they just said ‘We have all that in the system. He doesn’t have a green card approved, so he doesn’t have the status to be here,’” Liennys told the Weekly.
“They told me he was going to be moved to Krome (Detention Center) and I would be able to call him and see him – they took him to Alligator Alcatraz,” she said. “Everybody thought that’s where they would take the worst of the worst –that’s not true.”
On Nov. 24, Dasnier was transferred in chains to El Paso, Texas. In total, he’s been detained for more than a month – and still doesn’t have a court date. He still has yet to meet his younger son, born just weeks after his father was arrested.
“(Dasnier) not being able to be at my second birth, it’s something I will never forgive. … This is the real life for so many Cubans – things are just floating in the air,” Liennys said. “We’re basically seeking a humanitarian parole, because our second son is eight days old, (and) my first son is 4-1/2 years old and has a global delay. All the progress he’s made at school, it’s just going back and back and back. … He doesn’t even want to talk to his father now.”
It’s a critical week for Dasnier’s situation, as a federal appeals court is set to hear oral arguments in Miami on Dec. 12 in a major national case concerning all those who entered the U.S. with an I-220A.
Led by Cuban-American attorney Mark Prada and backed by the ACLU, lawyers argue that Cubans initially released with I-220A documents should be considered paroled, allowing them a path to permanent residence under the Cuban Adjustment Act. If successful, it could change the status of hundreds of thousands who were handed the same document as Dasnier – and have lived in legal limbo ever since.
His criminal record is clean, verified in a document stamped by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office in May 2025. In 2026, the couple had planned to reopen Ink the Keys Tattoo Studio, which drew strong reviews when it operated in Marathon from 2021 to 2023, and continue to raise their family.
Now, they simply hope their family will be in one place.
As temperatures drop in Texas, Liennys said, Dasnier has yet to be provided with so much as a coat to keep warm. He fights an uphill battle to receive any treatment for his sciatic pain, and he’s required to pay daily to stay in contact with his family.
He has yet to meet his newborn son.
“Every Sunday, they say to him ‘Are you ready to sign your deportation papers already? Are you tired already? Are you suffering enough?’” Liennys told the Weekly. “I’m completely with detaining criminals, sex offenders and felons. But what they’re doing now is taking people who are working their path to citizenship and doing everything right.”
Dasnier Barea Levya, top left, his wife Liennys Escalona, and their son Oliver are fighting to stay together as a family after welcoming another child last month. CONTRIBUTED
Dasnier Barea Levya, top left, his wife Liennys Escalona, and their son Oliver are fighting to stay together as a family after welcoming another child last month.
Dasnier Barea Levya, a tattoo artist with Paradise Tattoo on Duval Street, takes a break from the ink to help with face painting for little ones during Fantasy Fest.
PLANTATION KEY SCHOOL PTA HOLDS FISH FRY
An evening filled with food, community spirit and Plantation Key School pride was on display during the 15th annual PKS PTA Fish Fry at the Lorelei Restaurant on Dec. 3. The evening included a visit from Santa, performances by students in kindergarten to third grade and delicious fare. CONTRIBUTED
Lignumvitae Christmas celebration attendees look at the Matheson House. Florida State Parks ranger Dee Anne Berry is at right. The event was organized by the Friends of the Islamorada Area State Parks in conjunction with Florida State Parks.
LIGNUMVITAE CHRISTMAS CELEBRATES HOLIDAYS & HISTORY
NEWMAN www.keysweekly.com
STATE PARK IN KEY LARGO REOPENS BOARDWALK
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo recently held a dedication ceremony and first walk on the newly reopened Mangrove Boardwalk. Sponsored by the Friends of John Pennekamp and Dagny Johnson, members of the Pennekamp family were joined by park officials, the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce, the Monroe County Tourist Development Council, and Mote Marine park partners. Pennekamp siblings Thomas, Cathy and Pat were particularly happy to be there because the original boardwalk was a pet project of their dad, John Pennekamp Jr. DREW MARTIN/Contributed
Some 250 Keys residents and visitors participated in the annual Lignumvitae Christmas celebration at Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park on Dec. 6.
The secluded island off Islamorada preserves a virgin tropical hardwood hammock environment once common throughout the Upper Keys. It is named for the native Lignumvitae tree — whose wood is one of the world’s densest and has been used for items such as bowling balls, steamship propeller shafts, gears and mallets.
Visitors toured the historic Matheson House, a century-old coral rock and Dade County pine caretaker’s home that was decorated in a Christmas theme.
Guided nature hikes provided the opportunity to explore the flora and fauna of the island. Other activities included holiday arts and crafts, seasonal live music by the Mangrove Swamp Band and 1930s-era games.
Florida Keys historian and writer Brad Bertelli shared stories throughout the day about early residents of Lignumvitae Key, the island’s connection to nearby Indian Key and other topics. The event was presented by the Friends of the Islamorada Area State Parks in conjunction with the Florida State Parks.
Becky Collins, a Florida State Parks biologist for the Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park, shows eco tour participants a Lignumvitae tree, the namesake for the park. ANDY NEWMAN/Contributed. Inset: The Mangrove Swamp Band provides musical entertainment.
ANDY
FOUNDERS PARK TRANSFORMS INTO A HOLIDAY WONDERLAND
Annual festival brings Santa, snow, performances and more
JIM McCARTHY
jim@keysweekly.com
Kids flocked to an unfamiliar sight — a mountain of snow — as parents looked on during the 21st annual Holiday Fest at Islamorada’s Founders Park on Dec. 5. Organized by the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce, the fun-filled evening included visits among families and their kids with Santa Claus and pictures by the towering Christmas tree. Young tykes also spent time doing arts and crafts and decorating cookies courtesy of Publix Supermarket. At the amphitheater, dancers from On Your Toes Dance Studio wowed the crowd. Food trucks kept hungry patrons filled, while vendors showcased their goods as the perfect holiday gift. Ornaments decorated by local artists were on display and up for bid throughout the evening. Photos by Jackson Garcia and Doug Finger. Aerial photo by Andy Newman.
Kids take to the snow mountain.
A family gets a picture with Santa.
Kids play on ‘Snow Mountain,’ fabricated from grinding and spraying 30 tons of ice.
Young Holiday Fest goers douse themselves in bubbles.
Volunteers from Publix host a cookie decorating station.
Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay greets the crowd.
SANTA MEET
Florida Keys FISH REPORT
PEAK SAILFISH SEASON IS HERE
Killbox, Kalex teams are victorious in annual tournament
1: Team Kalex finished first in the non pro division. 2: Team Killbox won the pro division and took home a $43,685 check. 3: A sailfish emerges from the water. Photos by JAVIER EXPOSITO/FilmJavier.com and Contributed
The winter winds have arrived, and with them, the world-renowned sailfish season in Islamorada is officially in full swing.
The bite has been electric, and the recent tournament action proves that the “Sportfishing Capital of the World” is living up to its name.
Highlights from the 62nd annual Islamorada Sailfish Tournament
The docks are buzzing with the results of the 62nd Islamorada Sailfish Tournament, which just wrapped up with some incredible numbers. The fleet faced stiff competition, but two teams separated themselves from the pack.
A huge congratulation goes to Team Killbox, which won the pro division. They dominated the field, clinching the pro division victory with nine sailfish releases. Their consistency in these conditions was nothing short of a clinic. Killbox was led by fish captain Cody Darbie and owner/angler Tyler Kelley. Anglers and mates included KC Spaulding, Corbin Buckley, Digger Rodamer, Joe Marino, Trevor Newman and Jose Boza.
In the non-pro division, Team Kalex took home the top honors, putting five releases on the board to
KIT MOBLEY
is a fish captain specializing in deep sea charters off Islamorada.
secure the win. Led by fish captain Alex Adler, Team Kalex mates included Hunter Proctor, Justin Baker, Eddit Pullis and Arty Castanols. The anglers included Chris Chastain, Sam Chastian, Allen Kurkowski and Nathan Burns.
Conditions and the ‘shower’ Right now, we are seeing one of the most unusual predatory displays in the ocean. Islamorada remains one of the only places on the planet where you can target sailfish in less than 30 feet of water while sight fishing.
The north winds are pushing massive schools of bait up onto the reef edge and into the shallows. Keep your eyes peeled for “showering” bait — when you see ballyhoo erupting from the surface in panic, a pack of sailfish is likely right on their tails. Watching a massive sailfish illuminate its colors and slash through a bait ball in crystal-clear, shallow water is a bucket-list experience happening right now.
MUSEUM HOSTS A ‘MERRY DIVEMAS’
Event coincides with lecture by Reef Renewal founder
Ken Nedimyer has propagated and replanted corals throughout the Caribbean. CONTRIBUTED
AMerry Divemas celebration, followed by an “Immerse Yourself” presentation on aquaculture in the Keys, are scheduled at the History of Diving Museum on Wednesday, Dec. 17.
Festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. with photos and meet-and-greets with Scuba Santa, cookie decorating, ornament-making and a holidaythemed scavenger hunt through the exhibits, which will have extended hours.
Merry Divemas is a free community event and does not require a reservation, but donations are appreciated. The event ends at 6:45 p.m., followed by an “Immerse Yourself” presentation at 7 p.m. The History of Diving Museum will host Ken Nedimyer for a presentation on aquaculture in the Keys.
Nedimyer is the founder of Reef Renewal International and the technical director for Reef Renewal USA, a Keys-based company focused on restoring coral reefs. He also helps manage Reef Renewal Foundation International, which is focused on developing coral nursery and replanting programs in the Caribbean. Nedimyer has set up coral nursery
and the technical director for Reef Renewal USA.
and reef restoration programs in 15 countries and is working on developing new techniques for growing, propagating and replanting corals throughout the Caribbean.
He will discuss the events that led to the development of the Florida Live Rock Aquaculture program as well as the process of developing a live rock aquaculture farm in the Keys. He will also discuss how an exemption in the live rock aquaculture program opened the way for the development of Florida’s first offshore coral nursery in 2002.
This session will also be recorded and posted to the HDM YouTube channel. This month’s sponsors are Bob Murray and Barbara Overton, and the Newton family.
The museum, in Islamorada at MM 83, features 14 exhibits plus two annual limited-time featured exhibits as well as a gift shop. More information, including registration for Nedimyer’s presentation, is at divingmuseum.org.
— Contributed
SANTA COMES TO TOWN
Spectators encouraged to support local toy drive
JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com
With Christmas approaching, Santa will make his rounds through Islamorada on Sunday, Dec. 14.
Organized by the Islamorada Firefighters’ Benevolent Association and Islamorada Fire Rescue, the big man in red will depart from Station 20 on Lower Matecumbe Key at 5:10 p.m. From there, the procession of fire trucks and Santa’s sleigh will work its way up the village to locations on Upper Matecumbe, Windley and Plantation Keys.
Santa will stop at Southwinds Park, where there will be hot chocolate, candy canes and caroling, courtesy of the village’s youth council. Santa’s final stop is scheduled for 9:19 p.m. on Bee Street.
As part of the parade and stops, fire rescuers will be collecting unwrapped toys. Formerly headed up by the U.S. Marines Toys for Tots, the local fire department has since taken over the important holiday toy drive. The island chain had no U.S. Marine sponsor to continue Toys for Tots, forcing Islamorada Fire Rescue and the Key Largo Fire Department to take the reins.
Islamorada Fire Rescue is taking care of kids’ Christmas wishes from MM 94.5 in Key Largo south through Islamorada, while the Key Largo Fire Department is taking care of the lists north of MM 94.5. The holiday toy drive will provide presents for kids ages 3 months to 13 years on Christmas morning.
SANTA’S EVENING SCHEDULE
5:25 - Islamorada Mobil, Lower Matecumbe
5:40 - Tiki Lane and Robbie’s Marina
5:50 - Gib Reese Park/Wet Net Villas
6:00 - Moose Lodge
6:11 - Hurricane Monument
6:18 - Southwinds Park
6:30 - Three Waters Resort
6:38 - Windley Key Trailer Park
6:48 - Venetian Shores Marina
7:20 - Plantation Yacht Harbor Marina
7:30 - Sun Outdoors
7:40 - Plantation Boulevard and Orange Lane
7:57 - Key Heights subdivision
8:00 - Key Heights Drive and Sebring Drive
8:10 - High Point Road
8:15 - Indian Mound
8:17 - Sioux Street
8:35 - Plantation Key Colony
8:37 - Gardenia Street and Royal Poinciana Boulevard
8:47 - Hibiscus Street and Royal Poinciana Boulevard
9:05 - Sunshine Boulevard
9:08 - Canal Street and Pearl Avenue
9:19 - Bee Street
‘Merry Divemas’ festivities include a visit with Santa Claus. CONTRIBUTED
Ken Nedimyer is the founder of Reef Renewal International
Santa greets Bee Street residents during last year’s parade through Islamorada. FILE PHOTO
MONTHLY SHORELINE CLEANUPS HONOR PASCAL
A young Pascal Weisberger during a shoreline cleanup at Harry Harris Park in Tavernier. CONTRIBUTED
JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com
Amovement of compassion, community action and environmental stewardship in the Upper Keys lives on in memory of the late Pascal Weisberger.
Saturday, Dec. 13 marks the monthly shoreline cleanup at Harry Harris Park in Tavernier, a place Pascal worked to keep clean and beautiful. The bright student, animal lover, proud Boy Scout and environmental advocate tragically passed away in May 2020 at age 14. His brother, Daniel, stabbed him to death in a psychotic episode at their home during the early morning hours.
Ari Poholek, Pascal’s father, said the idea for a monthly cleanup was inspired by the debris pickups a young Pascal initiated and participated during his six-plus years at Ocean Studies Charter School.
“He and I attended an international coastal cleanup day at Harry Harris Park in September 2012, after which Pascal asked the school principal if he and I could begin organizing school cleanups on a monthly basis,” Poholek said. “We started the next month and continued for at least nine to 10 months per year, from then until Pascal graduated from fifth grade in June 2017.”
Pascal remained involved in regular coastal cleanups with Boy Scout Troop 912. Most of his STEM fair projects were focused on research related to plastic pollution, deter-
Volunteers collected bags of trash during a debris cleanup at Harry Harris Park. The monthly cleanup honors the life and legacy of the-late Pascal Weisberger.
mining whether there were more environmentally friendly alternatives to safeguard marine organisms. Poholek said these efforts led Pascal to become more attentive to the plastic pollution threats to the environment. He protested the use of disposable plastic bags while providing testimony on the results of his research to the Key West City Commission, which in 2019 was considering local legislation to curtail single-use plastics in the city.
During the COVID shutdown in 2020, in March through early May, Pascal began working on what would have been his 2020-21 STEM fair project, investigating the reduction of local boating and fishing in the Keys and local plastic pollution levels. He conducted about a half dozen weekly shoreline surveys along the Harry Harris Park coast, with the intention of comparing the debris amounts and types during the shutdown to what was found afterward.
After his tragic passing, Pascal’s research was completed by his friends and fellow scouts in Troop 912, Aidan Austin, Zack Woltanski and Jordan Lubis. Many others also helped over a number of months, including their teachers Bobbi Burson and Martha Loizeaux.
The monthly Pascal’s Way volunteer cleanup is set for Saturday, Dec. 13 from 9 a.m. to noon at Harry Harris Park. Locals and visitors coming out for the debris pickup should bring gloves, reusable water bottle, hat and sunscreen. Trash bags, extra gloves and refreshments will be available.
MERRY
Merry is a 4-year-old cuddle bug extraordinaire. She’ll steal your heart faster than a speeding bullet and shower you with endless loyalty and love. Ready to make her your best friend? Submit an application today and give Merry the forever home she deserves. If you are interested in meeting her please reach out to MarrVelous Pet Rescues 305-453-1315.
SAVE THE DATE
Dec. 12-13
• Hazardous waste collection from 9 a.m. to noon at Founders Park. Free disposal for Islamorada residents.
Friday, Dec. 12
• Eighth annual Lighted Bike Ride at 6:30 p.m. at CAPCON Construction, 102901 Overseas Highway, Key Largo.
Saturday, Dec. 13
• Keys Community Concert Band’s Pops in the Park at 4 p.m. at the Founders Park Amphitheater, Islamorada.
• Key Largo Sunset Rotary Club’s annual lighted boat parade at 7:30 p.m. on Blackwater Sound, Key Largo. Learn more at keylargoboatparade.com.
Sunday, Dec. 14
• Theater of the Sea’s 40th annual Christmas Show at 5 p.m. at 84721 Overseas Highway, Islamorada.
• Islamorada Fire Rescue’s Santa and holiday helpers parade beginning at 5:30.
• Menorah lighting at 5 p.m. at Robbie’s of Islamorada.
Dec. 15-16
• JOY Center activities from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Plantation Key Community Center, 53 High Point Road.
Wednesday, Dec. 17
• Merry Divemas from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. at History of Diving Museum, Islamorada. “Immerse Yourself” presentation begins at 7 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 18
• Third Thursday art walk from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Morada Way Arts & Cultural District, Islamorada.
Friday, Dec. 19
• Beats on the Bay welcomes the Bruce Tribute from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Founders Park Amphitheater, Islamorada.
Saturday, Dec. 20
• Deck the Hulls boat parade at 7 p.m. at Papa Joe’s Waterfront, 79786 Overseas Highway, Islamorada. Boat entry is free.
TEAMING UP FOR CORAL RESILIENCE
Agencies partner to monitor bleaching
Response to the stony coral tissue loss disease in May 2023 led several coral reef and environmental stakeholders to merge their efforts.
The Monroe County Extension Service co-leads Florida’s Coral Reef Resilience Program communications team, which collaborates on issues related to Florida’s coral reef. The communications team is one of 10 response teams in research, surveillance, intervention, rescue and propagation, restoration, data management, regulatory, water quality, Caribbean cooperation and communication. We work within a network of 80 partners from agencies, universities, nonprofit coral conservation groups and the private sector.
is the University of Florida, IFAS Monroe County Extension Florida Sea Grant Agent. Shelly is a marine biologist and provides sciencebased education about coastal environments.
The communications team collaborates on media products focused on coral bleaching, stony coral tissue loss disease and pulse corals, a potential new invasive gorgonian species.
For three years, Florida’s Coral Reef Resilience Program communication team has focused on coral bleaching. Corals rely on microscopic algae called zooxanthellae, which live within their tissues, give corals their color and supply up to 90% of their nutrition. When heat stress forces corals to expel their algae, their white calcium carbonate skeletons become visible, a process called coral bleaching.
Coral bleaching results in the depletion of corals’ energy stores and makes them more susceptible to other stressors. When bleaching lasts for an extended period or consecutive years, corals may die from starvation and/or the heat stress alone, as seen in 2023.
During the 2023 marine heat wave — also part of the fourth global coral bleaching event — Florida’s coral reef experienced the most severe coral bleaching so far. Cumulative heat stress in the Florida Keys was nearly three times the previous records from 2015 to 2016. Surveys found severe bleaching prevalence in Biscayne National Park south to the Dry Tortugas.
A recently published article notes staghorn and elkhorn coral are no longer present on the majority of Florida’s coral reef. While Southeast Florida reefs were heavily affected, many coral reefs and patch reefs in the northern region fared well.
Bleaching is not a death sentence, and shortterm coral paling and bleaching do not generally lead to coral mortality. But bleaching does signal coral stress, making monitoring vital for under-
17,
standing reef health and Florida’s planning and restoration efforts. Integrating monitoring with targeted intervention also strengthens action plans, ensuring a more informed and effective response.
Since 2023, Florida has gathered insights and lessons from practitioners, managers and other partners on bleaching response strategies. Folks are learning and applying some of these strategies in preparation for, and response to, potential coral bleaching:
• Focusing restoration activities on more boulder coral species.
• Pausing planting and restoration activities during times of thermal stress.
• Monitoring coral conditions to better understand bleaching and patterns of resilience in the system and learning from corals that survive bleaching events.
• Using corals that have been shown to be more thermally tolerant for sexual reproduction.
• Testing the planting of thermally tolerant corals from other countries with coral from Florida.
• Monitoring real-time sea surface and bottom temperatures at key reef sites and coral nurseries.
• Preparing land-based facilities to accept corals from in-water nurseries, should evacuations be necessary to preserve genetic diversity.
• Using in-water nurseries at deeper depths for short periods, where impacts from temperature and light are less pronounced.
• Shading existing in-water nursery structures to reduce the effects of temperature and light.
How you can help
Community scientists can report bleaching through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s seafan.net under “Report a Marine Incident.” Reports of no bleaching are just as important. There is an optional area to add photographs and a map to drop a pin on the site you were snorkeling or diving.
CORAL ISLES CHURCH HOSTS BLUE CHRISTMAS SERVICE
Coral Isles Church will host its fourth annual Blue Christmas Service on Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 6 p.m. for those whose suffering outweighs the joy of the holiday season.
The season is not necessarily happy for everyone. Fear, anxiety, grief, pain and loss of any kind can create sadness, disappointment and, at times, deep despair. A Blue Christmas service is designed for those who are hurting, so they need not suffer in silence or alone.
The ecumenical service, which includes scripture, music and prayers, is quiet and contemplative but not morose. It gives participants a place to find Christmas in a way that is meaningful to them.
“Many people have feelings of depression over the holidays,” said Rev. Pam Feeser, who will lead the service. “People may be grieving over the loss of a loved one, struggling with illness, or having experienced the loss of a job. They wonder how to get through the holidays.”
Coral Isles Church is located at MM 90, oceanside on Plantation Key in Islamorada. All are welcome. Light refreshments will follow.
More information is available from Barbara Overton at 305-333-0950.
— Contributed
Holiday tunes at Pops in the Park
The Florida Keys Community Concert Band will perform Pops In The Park at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13. This free band concert is titled “Santa’s Musical Workshop” and features holiday music. And there may be a surprise appearance by the jolly old elf, Santa.
Professional and amateur band members of all ages who love to make music make up the band. Pack a picnic basket and a blanket or chairs, load up the family and fur babies for this hour-long holiday performance.
Annual Key Largo Boat Parade is Saturday
Lighted, festive boats decorated to the “Grinch in the Keys” theme will parade on Blackwater Sound in Key Largo on Saturday, Dec. 13. Organized by the Key Largo Sunset Rotary, the procession of boats will pass bayside restaurants at 7:30 p.m. A fireworks display will follow the parade.
Boats can enter the parade for free, with $5,000 in cash and prizes on the line — up from $2,500 last year — in categories for small and large vessels. Boats will vie for Most Colorful, Most Original, Best Use of Theme, Best Business, Best Boat Under 25 Feet and Best Boat Over 25 Feet.
Bleaching of elkhorn coral observed on July
2023 at Sombrero Reef. MICHELLE DOBLER/Nova Southeastern University
SHELLY KRUEGER
BRIEFLY
•
•
•
•
Team Sport Opponent Date Result
Marathon Boys Basketball Coral Shores 12/1 W, 43-30
Jack had a great first quarter of the season. His shooting percentages are elite and his preparation and focus each game is second to none.”
–
Jim Murphy, Marathon head coach
points in three games
FHSAA’s 1A Rural District 8 leader for 3-point shots
A quarter of the way into the season, Marathon sophomore Jack Chapman is pulling his weight and then some for the Dolphins. In three games last week, Chapman scored 50 points, and his sharp shooting has landed him at the top of FHSAA’s 1A Rural District 8 leaderboard for 3-point shots.
Triple tallies are not Chapman’s only talent; the shooting guard is accurate from all over the court, whether it is his trademark downtown shots or at the free throw line, where he is averaging 90%.
“Jack is only a sophomore, but plays with the experience of a senior,” said coach Jim Murphy. Chapman made his first appearances for the Dolphins as an eighth grader and continues to develop his game. For his dependability, marksmanship and composure on the court, Marathon’s Jack Chapman is the Keys Weekly Athlete of the Week.
Photo by NATALIE DANKO/Keys Weekly
The Marathon Dolphins and guard Jack Chapman have proven their mettle in early-season games, defeating county rival Coral Shores and taking Monsignor Pace to triple overtime. See page 8. NATALIE DANKO/Keys Weekly
Jack
Sophomore,
fled to the Keys from the frozen mountains of Pennsylvania hours after graduating from college and never looked back. She is a second-generation coach and educator, and has taught in the public school system for over 25 years. She and her husband met at a beginning teacher meeting in 1997 and have three children born and raised in Monroe County. In her free time, McDonald loves flea markets, historical fiction and long runs in the heat.
grew up in Miami and moved to the Keys in 1997. He has spent the last 25 years teaching physical education and coaching virtually every sport for Florida Keys kids ages 4 to 18. If you are reading this and live or lived in the Florida Keys, he has probably taught, coached, or coached against someone you know.
The Keys Weekly Sports Wrap is proud to be the only locally-owned publication providing prep sports coverage from Key Largo to Key West. Together with our writers and photographers, we are committed to providing a comprehensive overview of the world of Keys sports with photography that allows our readers to immerse themselves in game action.
Se habla español THE MARATHON WEEKLY (ISSN 1944-0812) IS PUBLISHED WEEKLY FOR $125 PER YEAR BY WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, INC., 9709 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, MARATHON FL 33050. APPLICATION TO MAIL AT PERIODICALS POSTAGE RATES IS PENDING AT FORT LAUDERDALE FL AND ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES.
LEVEL UP
Keys athletes taking talents to college
With the early collegiate signing window barely open, multiple Keys athletes have already penned their letters of intent to play at the next level.
At Key West High School, four-year starter Noah Mercer caught the attention of numerous D1 scouts, and the football and track star decided on University of Central Florida to continue his gridiron career. Mercer holds multiple school records in both football and track and field. A two-way player in football, Mercer was a crucial part of the Conchs’ success. Coach Johnny Hughes described him as an “outstanding young man on and off the field. Noah was a four-year two-way starter who never missed a game. He played every play of every game with rare passion and intensity.” Mercer is expected to play on the defensive line for the Golden Knights next fall.
In the Upper Keys, Layne Smith, a four-time state swim qualifier and one of Coral Shores High School’s most accomplished champions, signed her national letter of intent last month to continue her swimming career at the Savannah College of Art and Design. Smith boasts significant accomplishments at Coral Shores, and her collegiate decision caps off a remarkable run defined by “consistency, an unequaled work ethic, and championship-level performances,” a school press release said.
Marathon - Alex Rickert alex@keysweekly.com
Upper Keys - Jim McCarthy jim@keysweekly.com
Key West - Mandy Miles mandy@keysweekly.com
All stories, photos, and graphics are copyrighted materials.
An honors student with a 4.2 GPA and multiple industry certifications in graphic design, Smith spent time with her coaches choosing the perfect fit for her academically and athletically.
“Having been on the Florida Keys Swim Club these past 11 years, I felt very prepared and appreciated on the CSHS swim team,” Smith said. “Coach Jon Olsen and coach Kelly Owens have done a great job to create an atmosphere of unity and acceptance on our team. That inspires everyone to be a team player and to put in their best effort. I’m also thankful to my parents for their support of my devotion to this sport and for helping me find a college program that I’m passionate about.”
tracy mcdonald
sean mcdonald
Key West standout Noah Mercer commits to play football for the University of Central Florida.
Coral Shores swimmer Layne Smith, seated center, signs her letter of intent surrounded by parents Cale and Margie Smith and coaches Kelly Owens and Jon Olsen. CONTRIBUTED
GOAL MINE
Keys soccer stars make a statement on the pitch
Tmade the trip to Delray Beach to chal-
lenge the top-ranked
Stallions of American Heritage Dec. 3 in a
soccer match that proved Key West is as good as anyone. Despite the outcome, head coach Scott Paul was pleased with his team’s play. “We did end up losing the game 2-0, although it was a much closer battle than that,” he said.
The Conchs were without starting goalkeeper Mary Searcy, who was out with a shoulder injury, and freshman Izzie Magrath stepped up with a solid performance against one of the best teams in 4A. While Magrath kept things tight, Key West had some opportunities to pull off the upset.
“Suena Marcily fired a perfect shot to their far post that would have grazed the goal and gone in had their keeper not made a beautiful save. Madison Kilduff also had a one-on-one with the keeper and ripped a strong shot, but it was straight at the keeper. Two other opportunities came and went as we had the ball popping around loose in a scrum in front of goal that we were unable to put in,” said Paul. “All in all, we are happy with our performance, as we feel that we picked up where we left off play before the break. Our goal-scoring was the one area that we were not on our best game.”
After losing to Westwood 6-0 early in the season, the Marathon Lady Fins shored up their defense and finished their second
match against the Warriors with a far closer outcome.
The 1-0 loss gave the team hope as they rolled into game number two for the week, a Dec. 3 home contest against Somerset Silver Palms. Maeve Merryman started the scoring with an unassisted goal, followed by one from Fantine Mendez. Addison Collins was credited with the assist. Allison Helms scored one, assisted by Sara Picariello, then Kayla Skaarup scored an unassisted goal and went on to assist Ashley Strama on the final goal of the match. The 5-1 victory gave Marathon its first win of the season.
Coral Shores’ girls also picked up win number one of the season last week.
After a 3-0 loss at Miami Country Day on Dec. 3, the Hurricanes made quick work of a visiting Keys Gate two days later. Kimmie Dubon
had a hat trick for the ’Canes. Bailey Catarineau, Avea Jackson, Jenna Mandozzi, Lela Goodrich and Sammy Bates added one goal each in the team’s win.
BOYS
Sulak on Key West’s goal.
last week. The Fins seized
In boys soccer action, Key West played one match last week, traveling to North Miami Beach to take on the unbeaten and highly-ranked Lions of Scheck Hillel Community School. The Conchs made the Lions work to remain undefeated, losing 2-1. Evens Louis assisted Nico Sulak on Key West’s goal. Fifty miles to the north, Marathon had mixed results with one win and one loss last week. The Fins seized a rare opportunity to play their younger athletes and allow a few of their seasoned players to try out new roles in their match against Westwood Christian on Dec. 2. After an early-season rout
over the Warriors, Marathon coach Christian Saltarin played his bench for the first hour of competition. The youngsters were ahead 3-1 when the starters took the field and finished the match by adding another four goals in the final 20 minutes of play. Adiel Nunez netted a pair of goals with Alnier Nunez, Aiden McIntyre, Tariq Simpson and Jossua
A Westwood own-goal accounted for the final score of the game. Two games later, a visiting Palmer Trinity crew bested the Fins 4-0.
Coral Shores’ boys started the week off with their first win of the season in a resounding victory over Monsignor Pace on Dec. 1. Freshman Jackson Keller accounted for four of the goals in the win and Colton Connolly scored two to add to a total that would reach nine by the final whistle. Two
days later, the Hurricanes lost a close one to Riviera Prep. Keller and Armando Picado each netted one in the 3-2 loss. On Dec. 5, the ’Canes lost to Miami Country Day 8-0 in their final match of the week.
Gomez adding one apiece.
Suena Marcily
Adiel Nunez
Kayla Skaarup
Photos by Tracy McDonald, Natalie Danko and Jennifer Searcy
AIRON ISLANDERS
ll three Keys teams competed in girls weightlifting last week, with Key West traveling to Marathon while Coral Shores headed out of town for a tri-meet at Keys Gate.
Keys lifters making gains prior to postseason while
Coral Shores finished in the middle of Keys Gate and AIE Charter in the team totals. Karla Gutierrez, Elaina Kerns and Vanessa Gabriel each added a win to their careers. All three athletes took first place in both the traditional and Olympic events. Gutierrez combined her best lifts in each event to win the 169-pound class. She benched 120 pounds, clean and jerked 100 and snatched 75. Kerns lifted 100 on bench, 80 in snatch and 115 in clean and jerk at 199 pounds. Gabriel, who competes in the Unlimited class, combined a 155-pound bench press, 95-pound snatch and 150-pound clean and jerk for her wins.
At Marathon, three Lady Fins took the top lifter spots despite Key West winning the team competition. Marathon took second place, while Somerset Silver Palms finished third. Justice Lee was the top lifter of the day, winning both events at 183 pounds and also registering the top score in the Sinclair Coefficient, which determines which athlete’s performance was the best when body weight is taken into consideration. The senior strongwoman combined a 175-pound bench press, 160-pound snatch lift and 200-pound clean and jerk for the win. Ella Evans, who was second in the Sinclair Coefficient, won both events at 129 pounds. Evans benched 150, snatched 110 and cleaned 150. At 154 pounds, Adelle Bainbridge won both events and ranked third overall in Sinclair score. Bainbridge benched 120, snatched 110 and cleaned 150 pounds. Marathon’s final winner, Tinashay Cunningham, won a pair of firsts in the 139-pound class. Cunningham combined 90 pounds on bench, 75 in snatch and 105 in the clean and jerk lift for her wins.
For Key West, Courtney Ward won both events at 101. Ward benched 55 pounds, snatched 50 and clean and jerked 70. At 169 pounds, Camila Linares lifted 100, 75 and 115 at the same three events. Aaliyah McLeod’s best lifts of the day were 110, 115 and 135 in the 199-pound weight class, in which she was a dual event winner. Key West’s final winners, Monea McLeod and Sofia Nafrere, shared the wins in the Unlimited category. McLeod won the Olympic competition with a 100-pound snatch lift and 125-pound clean and jerk. Nafrere won the traditional competition with a 105 on the bench and 130 in clean and jerk.
Lifters have just over a month of regular-season meets left. Marathon and Coral Shores will have a short trip for the first round of postseason competition this year. Their district event is being held at Coral Shores High School on Jan. 20, while Key West travels to Archbishop McCarthy on Jan. 24.
Karla Guitierrez, left, Ella Evans, center, and Camila Linares. Photos by Natalie Danko and Tracy McDonald
ISLANDERS
Proudly serving Key West to Islamorada as the ONLY locally owned and operated concrete company in the Florida Keys.
Whether you’re building a large commercial building, FDOT bridge, or a custom-designed home, we have concrete mix designs for every project. Thanks to decades of experience, our team can create custom mixes with high-quality additives for specific project needs. We offer the largest variety of materials and operate the only FDOT-certified ready-mix plants in the Florida Keys.
Call us for all ready-mix concrete, block, aggregate, rebar and bagged good needs.
As the basketball season begins heating up, Keys hoopsters split a pair of rivalry showdowns last week.
The Coral Shores Lady Hurricanes made the most of their single game, defeating the visiting Dolphins of Marathon 35-30. Melanie Estevez led the team in points with 16 while Alex Burson added eight, plus 12 rebounds. Niveah Howard and London Atkins pulled down a dozen rebounds each in the rivalry win. Marathon’s top scorer was eighth grader Shaina Robinson,
who sank 13, while senior Daysi Williams scored 12 for the Dolphins.
The Lady Fins hosted David Posnack School the following night, defeating the Rams for their first win of the season. Williams had the hot hand, scoring 17 points, while Robinson added 12 and Sutton Sayer scored 11. A 54-29 loss to Pace on Dec.
5 put the Lady Fins at 1-3 in early-season action. Robinson scored 15 with Sayer adding seven and Williams four.
The Lady Conchs lost two last week, but not without valiant effort. On Dec. 5,
HARDWOOD HEAT
Keys hoopsters showing early-season promise
Lilee Gage had an incredible game, scoring 17 points and pulling down 18 rebounds.
Damarla Thompson added six points and Jasminabonu Ibodilloeva registered 11 rebounds and a block in the 57-32 loss. The following night, Ibodilloeva had the high score with 13 points, a block and three steals. Jordan Greene added six and Reagan Graham five to the team total. Key West lost that contest 51-35 and continues to look for its first win of the season.
BOYS
While the Lady Conchs continue their search, Key West’s boys picked up their first W last week. The Conchs hosted Monsignor Pace on Dec. 6 and quickly went to work against the Spartans. Senior James Osborne dropped 32 points on Pace and is averaging nearly 24 points per game. Osborne pulled down 10 rebounds for a double-double and was credited with a pair of steals as well. Zach Levering also registered a doubledouble with 12 points and 10 rebounds and Judson Snider added seven points,
six rebounds, five steals and a block.
Marathon improved to 3-3 after a pair of wins last week, starting with a visit to Coral Shores Dec. 1. The Dolphins outshot the Hurricanes 43-30 with Jack Chapman leading the way with 11 points. Chapman added three steals against the ’Canes. Giorvis Zamora had eight points and five steals, Josh Koler added eight points to the team total and Taylor Huff had six points and six rebounds for the Fins. Coral Shores’ Sergio Avelar had the hot hand in the rivalry with 17 points and Jack O’Keefe added six in the loss for Coral Shores.
Marathon went on to beat visiting David Posnack Jewish Day School the fol-
7.
8.
9. Briggs Roberts shoots a 3-pointer.
10. The Coral Shores student section gets rowdy.
5.
11. Austin Vogt (0) plays defense on Marathon’s Taylor Huff.
JACKSON GARCIA/Keys Weekly
lowing night, 59-52. Chapman scored 16 including four threes, registered a block and pulled down three rebounds. Zamora scored 11 and Huff added 10 points, six rebounds and a pair of steals in the win.
After their second win of the week, the Dolphins came out strong against a visiting Monsignor Pace Dec. 5. The heavily-favored Spartans had their hands full with the Fins, and at the end of four quarters, the score was tied. It would take not
one, not two, but three fourminute overtime periods to determine a winner for the contest. Despite some fine shooting and exceptional teamwork by the Fins, the Spartans came away with an 83-78 win. Chapman scored 23 points to lead the charge. Huff and Koler had doubledoubles, with Huff scoring 17 and Koler 16; both had 13 rebounds. Drew Suarez had 11 points, three steals and a block in the loss.
The Hurricanes regrouped and picked up
steam, earning a pair of wins. On Dec. 3, Coral Shores won at Archimedian, 47-33. Avelar scored 15 for the ’Canes while Jordan Brown added nine and Austin Vogt pulled down five rebounds. Two nights later at Braddock High School, Avelar had the high score again, putting 18 points on the board. Brock Stoky, Jayden Meng and Nate Garbutt added four apiece in the win, which put the Hurricanes at an impressive 3-1 in early season standings.
1. Presley Bagwell (32) passes the ball around Marathon’s Aivy Nguyen.
2. Marathon’s Daysi Williams (32) guards London Atkins (23).
3. Julia Miranda shoots for 3.
4. Coral Shores’ Julia Miranda and Marathon’s Kat Guerra race down the court.
Shaina Robinson gets vertical.
6. Sutton Sayer shoots for 3.
Coral Shores coach Jim Berst gives the Hurricanes a pregame talk.
Jordan Brown brings the ball up the court.
In The Bleachers
Brevity
NEWS OF THE WEIRD
On Nov. 7 at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, Corey Johnson, 35, of Alexandria, Louisiana, tried to exit the short-term parking lot, but he wasn’t able to pay the fee. People magazine reported that Johnson at first refused to move his Jeep out of the exit lane but later agreed to pull aside while he worked out payment. Around 10 p.m., while Johnson was still stuck in the parking lot, the airport’s Aviation Communications center received a threatening phone call, suggesting a bomb would be detonated if the operator did not “page Hassan.” The center received another call around 10:35, saying he wanted “Hassan” “to bring the bomb to level three.” Deputies pinged the phone making the calls and traced it back to Johnson; by 11 p.m., he was under arrest. On Nov. 20, Johnson was indicted for willfully conveying a bomb threat. He could face up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine -- way more than the parking fee.
Adam Dailies
Nancy Dailies
TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS
Hector Berlioz (1803-1869), composer; Fiorello La Guardia (18821947), New York City mayor; Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn (1918-2008), novelist/dissident; Rita Moreno (1931- ), actress; John Kerry (1943- ), U.S. politician/diplomat; Teri Garr (1944-2024), actress; Mo’Nique (1967- ), actress; Mos Def (1973- ), actor/rapper; Hailee Steinfeld (1996- ), actress.
TODAY’S HISTORY
In 1972, the lunar module for Apo o 17, the nal ma ed mi ion of the Apo o space program, touched down on the m n.
TODAY’S FACT
Apo o 17 set records for the longest lunar surface explora on and the most lunar material co ected.
TODAY’S QUOTE
“You only have power over people as long as you don’t take everything away from them. But when you’ve robbed a man of everything, he’s no longer in your power -- he’s free again.”
—
Brevity
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, “The First Circle”
WRESTLERS HIT THE MATS
Beltran, Alexandre and Holushko bring home tournament championships in first week of action
December 1 marked the official start of wrestling in Florida, and Coral Shores and Key West wasted no time. The Conchs headed to Hialeah for the HTown Throwdown on Dec. 5 and 6, a 34-team tournament.
Both the boys and girls teams had an overall winner. Maria Holushko claimed the title by winning four matches, all by pin, at the 140-pound class in the girls division. Angelina Saballos and Wenxin Yu captured second place in the 19- and 115-pound classes, respectively. Yu’s wins all came via pin, all were within one minute. The girls team took ninth place overall.
Allens Alexandre won four matches to place first at 285 pounds. Jacob Ferguson finished fifth overall after three wins in his weight class. Reisel Toledo finished sixth at 157, with four wins, all by pin. The team finished in the top third in 11th place.
Coral Shores opened its competition at the 1A Kickoff at St. John Neumann High School. David Beltran captured first in the 175-pound class and was named the most outstanding wrestler in the upper weights for the tournament. Just two athletes are chosen for this award at each tourney.
Hurricane Sebastian McCoy was the runner-up at 120 pounds while Lucas Cossio, (126), Logan Pabotoy (138) and Sterling Keefe (165) all placed third. John Oughton was fourth at 150. Nate Tristram (157) and Gavin Matheis (132) were sixth and Dax Collins (165) and Jack Brown (175) were seventh.
Marathon, whose program is in its first year, opens Dec. 18 at Coral Shores. After that, all three teams will meet in the Southernmost City to participate in Key West’s annual tournament Dec. 19 and 20.
Canes, Conch & Dolphin Pride
Left: Allens Alexandre wins one of his matches at the H-Town Throwdown.
Center: Key West’s Maria Holushko wins a match for the Lady Conchs. CONTRIBUTED
Above: Coral Shores’ David Beltran. KEYS WEEKLY FILE PHOTO
FICTITIOUS NAME
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of Key West Weed located at 100 Admirals Lane, Key West, Florida 33040 intends to register said name with the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.
By: Scott Allen Harrington
Publish:
December 11, 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 Luis Amores for unpaid storage fees: a 2011 40’ Beneteau (HIN: BEYKD220K011)
Owned by VH4669 LLC (Donald Rhomberg – Title Manager) for unpaid storage fees: a 1984 42’ Gibson (HIN:GBN42768M84K)
Sealed bids will be accepted on December 19th , 2025 at 12:00am 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:
December 4 & 11, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
CASE NO: 2018-CP-190-K IN RE: ESTATE OF RODERICK C. McNEIL, III, Deceased.
___________________/
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 31st day of July, 2025, in the cause wherein IN RE: ESTATE OF RODERICK C. McNEIL, III, Deceased, being Case No. 2018-CP-190-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 personal property to wit:
SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY
100% Ownership interest and shares in McNeil Bros., Inc.
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 22nd day of January 2026, 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 personal 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 or cashiers check. 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 4th day of December, 2025.
Richard A. Ramsay Sheriff of Monroe County 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 days prior to the proceeding at (305)8093041
Publish: December 11, 18 & 25, 2025 and January 1, 2026
The Weekly Newspapers
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA DIVISION: PROBATE CASE NO.: 25-CP-321-K IN RE: ESTATE OF HOWARD MERKEL
Deceased.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The administration of the estate of HOWARD MERKEL, deceased, whose date of death was March 25, 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 WITHIN THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.
All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA PROBATE CODE WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.
The date of first publication of this notice is December 11, 2025.
Personal Representative: Bruce Merkel 90 Universal Trail Palm Coast, FL 32164
Attorney for Personal Representative: BRIAN M. CASEY Florida Bar Number: 92715 WRIGHT BARROWS PLLC 9711 Overseas Highway Marathon, FL 33050 Telephone: (305) 743-8118
Fax: (305) 489-0307
E-mail: Brian@keysclosings. com
Publish: December 11 & 18, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION
CASE NO.: 25-CP-000377-K IN RE: ESTATE OF MARY LESAICHERRE, Deceased.
NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION
The administration of the estate of MARY LESAICHERRE, deceased, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is Freeman Justice Center, 302 Fleming Street, Key West, Florida 33040. The file number for the estate is 25-CP-000377-K. The estate is testate and the date of the Decedent’s Will and any codicils are January 29, 2001. The names and addresses of
the personal representative and the personal representative's attorney are set forth below. The fiduciary lawyer-client privilege in Section 90.5021, Florida Statutes, applies with respect to the personal representative and any attorney employed by the personal representative. Any interested person on whom a copy of the notice of administration is served must file with the court, on or before the date that is 3 months after the date of service of a copy of the Notice of Administration on that person, any objection that challenges the validity of the will or any codicils, venue, or jurisdiction of the court. The 3 month time period may only be extended for estoppel based upon a misstatement by the personal representative regarding the time period within which an objection must be filed. The time period may not be extended for any other reason, including affirmative representation, failure to disclose information, or misconduct by the personal representative or any other person. Unless sooner barred by section 733.212(3), Florida Statutes, all objections to the validity of a will or any codicils, venue or the jurisdiction of the court must be filed no later than the earlier of the entry of an order of final discharge of the personal representative or 1 year after service of the notice of administration.
Persons who may be entitled to exempt property under section 732.402, Florida Statutes, will be deemed to have waived their rights to claim that property as exempt property unless a petition for determination of exempt property is filed by such persons or on their behalf on or before the later of the date that is 4 months after the date of service of a copy of the notice of administration on such persons or the date that is 40 days after the date of termination of any proceedings involving the construction, admission to probate, or validity of the will or involving any other matter affecting any part of the exempt property. Unless an extension is granted pursuant to section 732.2135(2), Florida Statutes, an election to take an elective share must be filed on or before the earlier of the date that is 6 months after the date of service of a copy of the notice of administration on the surviving spouse, an agent under chapter 709, Florida Statutes, or a guardian of the property of the surviving spouse; or the date that is 2 years after the date of the decedent's death.
Under certain circumstances and by failing to contest the will, the recipient of the notice of administration may be waiving his or her right to contest the validity of a trust or other writing incorporated by reference into a will.
Personal Representative: KIM TESSITORE
Attorney for Personal Representative: Liz C. Messianu, Esq.
Florida Bar No. 469017
Patricia D. Blanco, Esq.
Florida Bar Number: 1017070
Attorneys for Petitioner Wicker, Smith, O'Hara. McCoy & Ford, P.A.
Attorneys for Personal Representative 2800 Ponce De Leon Blvd., Suite 800 Coral Gables, Florida 33134
Telephone: (305) 448-3939
Fax: (305) 441-1748
E-Mail: miacrtpleadings@ wickermsith.com
Publish: December 4 & 11, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION
CASE NO.: 25-CP-000377-K IN RE: ESTATE OF MARY LESAICHERRE, Decedent.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The administration of the estate of Mary LeSaicherre, deceased, whose date of death was July 26, 2025, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is Freeman Justice Center, 302 Fleming Street, Key West, Florida 33040. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.
All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.
The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent's death by the decedent or the decedent's surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216-732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes. The written demand must be filed with the clerk. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.
The date of first publication of this notice is: December 4, 2025.
Personal Representative: Kim Tessitore 5021 Wade Drive Metaire, Louisiana 70003
Attorney for Personal Representative: Liz C. Messianu, Esq. Florida Bar No. 469017
Patricia D. Blanco, Esq. Florida Bar Number: 1017070 Wicker, Smith, O'Hara. McCoy & Ford, P.A.
Attorneys for Personal Representative
2800 Ponce De Leon Blvd., Suite 800 Coral Gables, Florida 33134
Telephone: (305) 448-3939
Fax: (305) 441-1745
E-Mail: miacrtpleadings@ wickermsith.com
Publish: December 4 & 11, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 2025-CP-000505-K IN RE: ESTATE OF WILLIAM LAURENCE HARDY Deceased. NOTICE TO CREDITORS TO ALL PERSONS HAVING CLAIMS OR DEMANDS AGAINST THE ABOVE ESTATE: The administration of the Estate of William Laurence Hardy, deceased, File No. 2025-CP-000505-K, is pending in the circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 502 Whitehead St, Key West, FL 33040. The name and address 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, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, on whom a copy of this notice is served, must file their claims with the clerk of the Circuit Court of Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 502 Whitehead St, Key West, FL 33040, ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with this court WITHIN THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA PROBATE CODE WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OF MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.
A Personal Representative or Curator has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent’s death by the decedent or the decedent’s surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss 732.216-732.228, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211. The date of first publication of this Notice is December 4, 2025. Dated this 20th day of November, 2025.
M. BARBARA AMARO ESQ. Attorney for Personal Representative FBN 611298 8950 SW 74 Court, Suite 2201, A-19 Miami, FL 33156 (305) 384-7213 (888) 508-5215 Fax Barbara@AmaroProbateLaw. com
Personal Representative: M. BARBARA AMARO 8950 SW 74 Court, Suite 2201, A-19
Publish: December 4 & 11, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers
AUTOS ALL YEARS! Junk or Used Cars, Vans, Trucks. Runs or Not.$CASH 305-332-0483
AUTOS FOR SALE
2013 Cadillac ATS, 125k miles, needs tires & A/C, 2 owners, serviced at dealership. Located in Marathon. $4,000 Contact: yogaforpeacellc@yahoo.com SOLD IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS!!
PLACE YOUR AUTO FOR SALE AD HERE. $25/week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305-743-0844 or Email Anneke@ keysweekly.com
BOAT MISC. FOR SALE
Two 425 XTO Yamaha outboard motors for sale. Low hours, excellent condition, professionally maintained. $30,000 for both. Located in Marathon. Call for details 305-747-4227
BOATS FOR SALE
GREAT DEAL: Key Largo 21' Deep V Center Console w/trailer. New 150hp motor & electronics. $15,000 Located in Marathon. 201-696-8906 SOLD !!!
PLACE YOUR BOAT FOR SALE AD HERE. $25/ week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305-743-0844 or Email Anneke@ keysweekly.com
BOAT SLIP FOR RENT
Dockage up to 60’ Islamorada - Bayside, 50 amp service. Call 860-982-4517
Boat dockage, 29th Street Canal, Marathon. Up to 33' - water & electric. 305-240-3270
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
Boat Slip For Rent in Key Largo - Oceanfront Marina - Up to 46’ x 11.5’ - $20/ft/month. No Liveaboards. 330-219-5313 RENTED IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS!!
PLACE YOUR BOAT SLIP FOR RENT AD HERE. $25/week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305-743-0844 or Email Anneke@ keysweekly.com
EMPLOYMENT
Retail - Tues-Sat 3:00 pm-9:00 pm in Marathon. Must be able to lift large boxes of tee shirts. More hours available if needed. Inside Airstream with AC. Email Carolyn - sparkyslanding@ aol.com
Boat rental company in Marathon looking for help with boat detailing & boat cleaning. Call 305-481-7006
The Housing Authority of the City of Key West now hiring the following positions: Full-time Carpenter, Electrician & Housing Assistant. 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.
Experienced Full-time Line Cook needed at the Cabana Club, an ocean front private swim club. 10AM - 5PM, Good Pay. Small friendly staff. Apply in person at 425 E. Ocean Dr. Key Colony Beach or call 404-2193359 and ask for Dave.
Serve/Bartend on the ocean! The Cabana Club, an ocean front private swim club is seeking a customer service-oriented Server/ Bartender. Serve on pool deck, beach and/ or bar lounge. Open year round, 9:30am7pm daily. Full time/ Part time. Small friendly staff. Above average hourly wage plus tips. Apply in person at 425 E. Ocean Dr. Key Colony Beach or call 404-2193359 and ask for Dave.
PLACE YOUR EMPLOYMENT AD
HERE. $25/week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305-743-0844 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
NIGHT MONITORFREE Private Room in exchange for overnight availability at our Assisted Living Facility in Marathon. 5 nights on, 5 nights off 10pm-8am plus weekly stipend, Drug & background screen required. www.westcare. com/join-our-team/
2 Bedroom - All new - AND - StudioFurnished in Marathon. On the water, gated property. Section 8 possible. $1,300 - $2,000 month. Call 305-610-8002
2-3BR/2BA Beautiful home for year-round rental on Duck Key. Furnished, full size W/D, stainless steel appliances & granite countertops. Gorgeous pool with built-in bar stools, waterfall & Jacuzzi, 1 car garage, and covered porch for outdoor dining w/views of the canal. $3,800/ month. Avail. Dec. 1st. Address: 243 W. Seaview Dr, Duck Key, MM 61. Text/call 774-263-8759 Email: dongamache@ comast.net RENTED IN LESS THAN 4 WEEKS!!!
2BR/2BA with outdoor patio for rent in Marathon. $2,100/ month F/L/S Taking applications. 305-849-5793 RENTED IN LESS THAN ONE WEEK!!!
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
1st Annual Community Yard Sale this Sat. Dec. 13 starting at 9am. Behind the Airport in Marathon - start on Porpoise Drive and
DETENTION RECORDS ASSISTANT
Applicants required working various shifts at the Monroe County Detention Facility.
Job requirements: Type 25 wpm, clerical skills and ability to multi-task. Salary $48,910.00. Full bene ts and retirement system. Paid holiday, vacation and sick time.
Applicants must ll out the online preliminary application at: www.keysso.net
Applicants may contact Charles Slebodnick at 305-292-7044. EEO/AAP
Must have experience with Excel. We are willing to train the right candidates.
Send resume to admin@cbtconstruction.com Or call 305-852-3002
SUBSTATION ELECTRICIAN
(High Voltage Substation Electrical Technician)
Starting pay rate for this position, depending on qualifications and experience: $46.38/hr. - $51.94/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.
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. Keys Energy Services, in Key West, Florida, is accepting applications for the following position in its Transmission & Distribution 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.
THE GUIDANCE/CARE CENTER, Inc. IS HIRING!
JOIN A HIGHLY EFFECTIVE NONPROFIT 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 (Children)
Behavioral Health Counselor (CAT)
Prevention Specialist
Case Manager (Adult)
KEY WEST
Case Manager (Adult, Child)
Mental Health Technician Line (PT or FT)
Behavioral Health Therapist (Children) (PT)
Crisis Counselor
Behavioral Health Counselor Prevention Specialist
MARATHON
Mental Health Technician
Driver (CDL required) (FT)
Registered Nurse (FT, PT)
*Support Worker (Assisted Living) (PT)
*Behavioral Health Technicians – 3 Shifts (FT, PT)
*Night Monitor (ALF – Free Housing vs. Salary)
*No experience required for this position. Will train. A caring heart & helpful hands necessary.
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: Diesel Mechanic Truck Helpers
CDL Drivers
Applicants must apply in person to be considered.
4290 Overseas Hwy, Marathon
OPENINGS AVAILABLE
PHYSICIAN PRACTICE OPENINGS
- Advanced Practice Provider (APRN-PA-C)Surgical, Ortho, Tavernier
- Medical Assistant Ortho, $5k Bonus
- Medical Assistant, Primary Care Marathon, $5k Bonus
- Patient Access Associates, $5k Bonus
MIAMI CANCER INSTITUTE KEY WEST
- Advanced Practice Provider (APRN/PA-C) Medical Oncology, Per Diem
- Pool Radiation Therapist
- Registered Nurse, Oncology, $15k Bonus
TAVERNIER MARINERS HOSPITAL
- Clinical Pharmacist, $5k Bonus
- Cook, Dietary, $5k Bonus
- Exercise Physiologist, Per Diem
- MC Multi-Modality Imaging Tech, CT Scan, $50k Bonus
- Mechanic, FT, 7A-3:30P
- Multi-Modality Imaging Tech, Echocardiography, Per Diem
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. *Sign-on bonuses are available only for select full-time positions based on candidate experience. APPLY AND
THEME: DISNEY CHARACTERS
ACROSS
1. Imperfections
6. Part of T.G.I.F.
9. Stark daughter on “Game of Thrones”
13. Kind of print, for short 14. Hula dancer’s flowers 15. Kitchen tear-jerker 16. Viva voce 17. Draft beer container 18. Confused 19. *Irreverent Disney nanny 21. *Scar’s older brother 23. Famous T-Rex 24. Gardening tool
25. Louisville Slugger 28. Stallion’s mate
30. Famous ciphering machine
35. D’Artagnan’s weapon of choice
37. Essence
39. Gloomy and drab
40. Containing limestone
41. Scrawny one
43. Purse to match a gown 44. Spot for boutonniËre
46. John Oates’ partner Daryl
47. Prepare for a rainy day
48. Catch in a snare
50. Rapper LL ____ J
52. ____ Aviv
53. Wholly engrossed
55. Call to Bo Peep
57. *Shere Khan’s sworn enemy
60. *Marie’s and Toulouse’s younger brother
64. Beneficiary
65. Opposite of nothing
67. Pancho’s last name
68. Weasel’s aquatic cousin
69. “New” prefix
70. *Like Iago in “Alladin” or Laddy
Kluck in “Robin Hood”
71. Karate blow
72. Not safe in baseball
73. Like salad greens
DOWN
1. Part of an envelope
2. *Nani Pelekai’s little sister and new pet owner
