‘May all your troubles last as long as your New Year’s resolutions.’ — Joey Adams
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January 1, 2026
Happy NEW YEAR! 2025 IN THE REARVIEW
RECAPPING THE TOP NEWS AND HEADLINES | P. 4
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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 1, 2026
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2BR/2BA - 853 SQ. FT. - $649,000 MM 88.5/BAYSIDE
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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 1, 2026
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81888 Overseas Highway | Islamorada 305.712.8888 | oceansir.com Each office is independently owned and operated.
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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 1, 2026
KEYS
NEWSPAPERS
89240 Overseas Hwy. Suite 2 Tavernier, FL 33070 Office: 305.363.2957 www.keysweekly.com Publisher / Jason Koler jason@keysweekly.com Publishing Partner / Britt Myers britt@keysweekly.com Editor / Jim McCarthy jim@keysweekly.com Business Development Manuela Mobley manuela@keysweekly.com Staff Writers Alex Rickert alex@keysweekly.com Mandy Miles mandy@keysweekly.com Copy Editor / Mike Howie mike@keysweekly.com Production Manager Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com Executive Administrator Charlotte Hruska char@keysweekly.com Design / Pre-Press Diana Striker www.keysweekly.com Javier Reyes javier@keysweekly.com Irene de Bruijn irene@keysweekly.com
1.2 T billion RECAPPING THE TOP HEADLINES IN THE UPPER KEYS hat’s the number of iPhones sold in the decade after Apple introduced the first-generation unit in January 2007. The latest iPhone 17 series offers enhanced cameras, Apple Intelligence and better displays, among other features.
A wildfire, a shark bite, a Keys inventor and Dave Portnoy garner attention JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com
T
he year 2025 left no shortage of big headlines and major news stories in the Upper Keys. From a wildfire shutting down two major thoroughfares into the Keys, a harrowing shark bite and federal immigration agents conducting arrests, here are just a few of the many stories the Keys Weekly Newspapers chased this past year. Wildlife wreaks havoc
Finance Director / Carolyn Campbell carolyn@keysweeky.com
ing their homes and outside workers from getting to and from their jobs in the Keys. Visitors faced troubles reaching their destinations, whether it be their hotel on the island chain or the airport in Miami. Intense firefighting — from the ground and air — over the course of five days resulted in the wildfire being 80% contained by March 22. Road closures ceased as traffic moved again on the Stretch and Card Sound Road. The National Weather Service in Miami said a long spell of dry weather, mixed with low humidity and windy conditions, helped the wildfire spread across 26,000 acres of natural land. Worker housing set at nearly $3,000
Web Master / Travis Cready travis@keysweekly.com Classifieds / Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com 305.743.0844 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
Happy New Year from the Keys Weekly Newspapers!
Crews work to extinguish a wildfire on Card Sound Road. MDFR/Contributed
A small blaze in south MiamiDade County on March 12 spiraled out of control into an inferno that burned 26,000 acres by March 21. Despite the flames remaining on the Miami-Dade side between the 18-Mile Stretch and Card Sound Road, the wildfire brought the heat to the Florida Keys as the workday was ending on March 18. As the smoke and flames encroached on the only two thoroughfares between mainland Florida and Key Largo, the rapidly-spreading wildfire closed Card Sound Road on four straight days. Police were also forced to shut down the 18-Mile Stretch intermittently between Florida City and Key Largo from March 18 to March 21 to give crews space to fight the flames. There were moments when no cars were entering or leaving via the 18-Mile Stretch or Card Sound Road. Closures hindered locals from reach-
ing for the tourism-related workforce was granted by the Florida Legislature in 2024. With the units ready for rent, questions arose whether workers in the tourism industry qualified for, let alone could afford, the monthly payment. The state law which allowed the county to use TDC funds for housing was written with a maximum income level of 120% of the area median income. For a person to qualify, their gross annual income had to be between $71,880 and $109,560. For two people who weren’t married or in a domestic partnership, it was anywhere between $71,880 and $125,040. For a married couple or domestic partnership, the income range was between $71,880 and $166,720. County commissioners decided to alter the rent rate structure for the units. Discussion at an Aug. 20 meeting by commissioner Holly Raschein over the rent at Southcliff Estates ended with commissioners agreeing to set the new units at 30% of an applicant’s gross annual income. Boy bitten by shark
Southcliff Estates apartments are located along U.S. 1 at MM 95 in Key Largo. KEYS WEEKLY FILE PHOTO
Twelve newly-constructed apartments were opened to workers in the tourism industry for $2,995 a month. Monroe County began accepting applications for the one-bedroom, one-bathroom units located at MM 95, oceanside, in Key Largo in early August. Built by South Cliff Holdings LLC, the units and property were then sold to the county following commissioners’ approval of a contract during a June meeting. The price tag was $7.5 million. Surplus bed tax revenue going back to the post-COVID tourism boom, which generated $35 million, was used to pay for the project. The use of excess funds to build affordable hous-
The family of an 8-year-old boy who was bitten by a shark credited the rescue and response to several individuals. David Burrows said his son, Richard, and daughter, 10-year-old Rose, were snorkeling in the waters off Key Largo around 3 p.m. on Sept. 1, when a blacktip shark rushed them and bit Richard on his right knee. The injury was significant, but assistance from several people helped address the severe wound.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 1, 2026
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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 1, 2026 HEADLINES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4
EARLY SHAKEUPS BROUGHT SOME NEEDED STABILITY IN 2025 JIM McCARTHY
jim@keysweekly.com
Recapping a busy year for Islamorada government
I
slamorada kicked off 2025 with some shakeups in government, specifically with the village manager’s resignation and a councilman’s abrupt exit. Selection of a new councilmember to fill the vacant seat, as well as the council’s pick for a new manager, brought some stability to the village. Spending for operations, the state of the wastewater system and the school district’s proposed improvements to a baseball field at Founders Park dominated the headlines throughout the year. Anna Richards, left, joined the council in mid-February as she filled the seat vacated by Buddy Pinder. She’s pictured with then-Mayor Sharon Mahoney. KEYS WEEKLY FILE PHOTO
Council parts ways with manager Islamorada Village Council kicked off 2025 by voting 4-1 on a separation agreement with thenmanager Rob Cole during a Jan. 7 meeting. Before the vote, Cole announced his resignation from a post he was unanimously selected to by a previous council in February 2024. The lone “no” vote, councilman Steve Friedman, said he was troubled in how the matter of severing Cole’s relationship with the village came about. Friedman said he knew Cole “liked his job and was not seeking to resign.” Council chose chief building official Sheila Denoncourt as acting manager. Councilman Pinder resigns A shakeup in Islamorada government continued with the resignation of councilman Joseph “Buddy” Pinder III on Jan. 10. First elected in 2020, Pinder told Keys Weekly he was ready to move on from his public service to enjoy time traveling.
Richards replaces Pinder A special meeting on Jan. 30 saw a stalemate among the council members over candidates for the seat vacated by Pinder. Two voters were for Anna Richards, co-owner of a surveying business and a licensed floodplain manager. The other two were for Greg Dully, a real estate agent, deacon at First Baptist Church Islamorada and chairman of the village’s Land Acquisition Advisory Committee. Council members didn’t change their votes and a stalemate persisted through the night. At the advice of village attorney John Quick, the council ultimately agreed, via 3-1 vote, to table the decision to a March 18 meeting — despite needing to pick a replacement within a 30-day period as required by the charter. Council members ultimately made the choice sooner, approving Richards to the seat during a Feb. 11 meeting. It came after Dully stepped away from being considered and urged council to CONTINUED ON PAGE 9
The family received assistance from the commercial diving company Horizon Divers, which helped apply a second tourniquet to Richard’s leg after Burrows initially applied one. The boy was brought to shore at Garden Cove Marina, where Monroe County Fire Rescue rendered aid and transported him to Trauma Star. Richard was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital Ryder Trauma Star. Surgeons were able to save Richard’s leg following surgery. He was later released from the hospital.
tional Realty, the price was the highest ever recorded in the Florida Keys outside of the private, gated Ocean Reef community in North Key Largo. A Michigan Wolverines and New England Patriots fanatic, Portnoy is no stranger to the Florida Keys. In 2023, Portnoy’s visit to the Keys included stops at several pizza joints. He gave Marathon’s Coast to Coast Pizza a 7.7 score and praised the “good, quality football pizza that you could never get tired of.” Agents make stops near school
Keys inventor takes on marine giants Longtime Key Largo resident and Sea Swivel mount creator Mark Berta is taking on some marine industry giants for allegedly infringing on his patent design. The Sea Swivel invention has transformed trolling motor technology while keeping anglers safer on the water. In 2023, Berta’s flagship innovation — the original Sea Swivel mount — began to launch in the Upper Keys. Even with the patent, some companies reportedly created a similar product to Berta’s Sea Swivel. Berta received a call from a client who was having issues with what was originally thought to be a Sea Swivel mount. As Berta was helping the person troubleshoot the product, Berta realized it was not his product, but rather what he said was a competitor’s knock-off version. “I said, ‘What a minute, it’s ShuttleSlide.’ I still helped him because I know the product,” Berta said. On Aug. 8, Berta’s Sea Swivel Inc. filed a federal lawsuit in the Southern District of Florida against Melbourne, Florida-based ShuttleSlide, Sarasota-based Rhodan Marine Systems and Glenwood, Iowa-based T/6 Marine. The complaint accuses these companies of selling copycat versions of a product Berta created in the Florida Keys. All are accused of mirroring Sea Swivel’s patented design (U.S. Patent No. 12,258,111). The case is ongoing in federal court. Portnoy buys home in Islamorada A luxurious bayfront property on Islamorada’s Lower Matecumbe is now in the hands of the man behind the popular Barstool Sports digital media company and the famous “One Bite Pizza Reviews.” In early October, Dave “El Presidente” Portnoy closed on the 1.65acre estate — with two residences totaling 10,228 square feet — for $27.75 million. Listed by real estate agent Leslie Leopold and broker associate Cheri Tindall, of Ocean Sotheby’s Interna-
A Black Hawk helicopter flies as federal immigration enforcement agents, with assistance from Florida Highway Patrol, conduct traffic stops the morning of Nov. 21. CBP/Via Facebook
On Nov. 21, a Customs and Border Protection helicopter circled the air in the Upper Keys as agents conducted stops along U.S. 1 on several vehicles — and even a bus. The activity began around 6:30 a.m. and concluded around 9 a.m. The agents and their vehicles, some marked and others unmarked, could be seen at the Key Largo Winn Dixie. Some witnesses say the helicopter was circling Key Largo School. The activity came on the final day of class before Thanksgiving break. With support from Florida Highway Patrol troopers, CBP said the operation led to the arrests of 12 individuals, from Nicaragua, Cuba, Venezuela, Colombia and Guatemala. CBP said record checks revealed prior charges and convictions, including re-entry after deportation, driving under the influence, obstruction, illegal concealed carry of a weapon, possession of a controlled substance with a weapon, resisting an officer with violence, battery, domestic violence and other offenses. There was also a report on Nov. 17 of federal agents stopping a vehicle with a Coral Shores student on his way to school. An adult family member, too, was detained by agents and taken away. School officials confirmed to the Keys Weekly that the 16-year-old Coral Shores student was detained. At the time, it was the first report of a Monroe County student being picked up by federal agents.
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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 1, 2026
LOCAL REPORTING BY LOCAL JOURNALISTS
TRUSTED EXPERTS IN THE FIELD For 22 years, Keys Weekly has been the ONLY locally-owned and operated news source covering all of the Keys with our boots on the ground and our butts in the seats at meetings.
Jim McCarthy, Editor Upper Keys Weekly 305.850.8034 jim@keysweekly.com Mandy Miles, Editor Key West Weekly 305.923.6012 mandy@keysweekly.com
Alex Rickert, Editor Marathon Weekly 401.256.0645 alex@keysweekly.com
Islamorada Village of Islands Meeting Schedule January 2026 Unless otherwise noted, meetings are held at the Founders Park Community Center, 87000 Overseas Hwy., Islamorada
Scan here to view the full meeting schedule.
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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 1, 2026
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FORMER VILLAGE MAYOR BOB JOHNSON PASSES AWAY
Inset: Bob Johnson served in the Air Force. CONTRIBUTED. Above: Johnson speaks during a Memorial Day ceremony in 2021. KEYS WEEKLY FILE PHOTO
JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com
U
.S. Air Force veteran and former Islamorada mayor Robert “Bob” Johnson passed away at the age of 82 on Dec. 15. Born in Detroit in 1943, he recently lived in Palmetto, Florida before his passing. He spent four decades in Islamorada; 20 of those years were as owner of Papa Joe’s Marina. He also served the village as councilman from 2002 to 2006. He proudly served in the U.S. Air Force and remained active with the American Legion Post 145 in Islamorada. Johnson never missed an opportunity to serve his fellow veterans with dedication, and brought friendly banter to every aspect of his life. “Bob loved his family and his dogs, living on his own terms. He took great pride in his yard, transforming it from a simple patch of grass into a pristine lawn, with his loyal dogs at his side and often while enjoying good conversations with neighbors,” reads his obituary. Johnson is survived by his wife of 42 years, Susan; his daughter, Tracy Johnson-Craske; and nieces and nephews. The Keys Weekly had the opportunity to interview Johnson ahead of Veterans Day in 2021. What rank did you achieve? For veterans, rank should be irrelevant.
Even the lowest level service member has been in harm’s way. What unit were you attached to? Strategic Air Command, 1960 to 1964. Selfridge Air Force Base, in Michigan. What inspired you to join the military? I joined for a sense of purpose. What was the best part of your service? The military owes me absolutely nothing, and I owe them everything for a much better life. How did serving change you? From my perspective, it gave me a head start in the business world and a public-service work ethic. What do you tell young people who want to serve? There’s nothing better for a young man to do than be in the military. It gives a sense of purpose, strong values, self-discipline, patriotism and work ethics. Biggest surprise after becoming active duty? The Cuban Missile Crisis and how close we were to a thermonuclear war. I remember the days of the blockade. The entire air force base was silent. Our motto was, “Peace is our profession.” If not for our military readiness, we’d be living in a different world today. Living in that era affected my view of the importance of democracy and the importance of public service. We spent five days on the highest alert level. The slowest five days of my life. Favorite military movies? “Hunt for Red October.” “A Few Good Men.” “Patton.”
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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 1, 2026
ISLAMORADA CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6
pick Richards. He said it wasn’t an easy decision, although he believed the move would foster unity while hoping that it would allow the council to move forward. State attorney investigates village Events surrounding the departure of thenmanager Rob Cole were under investigation by the Monroe County State Attorney Dennis Ward’s office, the Keys Weekly learned in early March. Specifically, the state attorney was looking for a possible Sunshine Law violation over Cole’s exit and separation agreement. Sunshine laws require that officials conduct business at scheduled meetings and not by consultation out of public view. In July, Ward’s office announced no Sunshine violation occurred in Cole’s exit. “We pursued this investigation with the highest level of scrutiny and, after extensive interviews, document reviews and analysis of communication records, we found no violation of Florida’s Sunshine Law. While the community’s concerns were valid and warranted examination, the resignation process was conducted lawfully,” Ward said. Village safeguards natural lands
From left, then-Vice Mayor Don Horton, councilwomen Anna Richards and Deb Gillis and former councilman Mark Gregg at the dedication of the 85-acre Glynn Family Preserve in Venetian Shores in Islamorada on April 9. KEYS WEEKLY FILE PHOTO
Islamorada council members and staff gathered off Porto Salvo Drive in the Venetian Shores community on April 9 to dedicate an 85-acre property as a nature preserve. What started as litigation became preservation. Glynn’s trust and heirs attempted to obtain limited development approval for upland area along U.S. 1 frontage of the property through applications submitted to the village for small scale comprehensive plan amendment and associated rezoning to allow affordable housing development. Those applications were denied by the village in 2019. The matter eventually reached mediation in 2023, which led to a settlement agreement in which the village purchased the property from the Glynn heirs. The village paid $650,000 to acquire full ownership of the 85 acres.
Ron Saunders was selected as village manager in April. KEYS WEEKLY FILE PHOTO
Council chooses Saunders as village manager Former Florida House member and lifelong Keys resident Ron Saunders was unanimously selected as Islamorada’s village manager during an April 10 meeting. Before the selection process, thenMayor Sharon Mahoney stressed the importance of a 5-0 vote for whoever the council would choose as next village manager. First citizens budget task force Composed of five residents, the village’s first budget task force was created by Saunders to instill more transparency and citizen input into the village government. Task force members spent time reviewing financial statements while examining current and past budgets; with it came critical questions and recommendations to tackle issues of excess spending. Among the task force’s suggestions were examining the total number of employees, creating a merit-based raise system for employees to ensure “accountability and high performance” and reducing the taxpayer costs on insurance for employees and their families. Village approves budget Village council members approved a $92 million budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year, as well as a 2.65 millage rate, or $265 per $100,000 of a property’s assessed value. In total, the village will receive $18.2 million in property taxes in addition to other revenues from permits and fees, fines and forfeitures and charges for service, to fund day-to-day expenses. Total day-to-day expenses in the village are $23.2 million, of which fire rescue and law enforcement services account for $12.6 million. Preserving peacocks Taking or feeding peacocks in the village is now outlawed following the council’s unanimous vote in October to create new protections for the nonnative birds, which have roamed the area of Plantation Key for decades. The ordinance prohibits anyone from removing peafowl and their eggs. There are exemptions, however, for property zoned agricultural and for property owners who would like to remove peacocks from their property, so long as they don’t physically harm them.
Village works through wastewater issues Concerns over an Islamorada wastewater system plagued in recent years by line breaks and overflows will be resolved, following a state order and subsequent agreement between the village and Key Largo Wastewater Treatment District. At a special meeting on Nov. 17, council members were briefed on a response and remedy plan to the wastewater collection system issues, which were highlighted in a consent order by Florida Department of Environmental Protection. An Oct. 15 report by DEP noted a series of violations with the village’s system, including six sanitary sewer overflows and discharges, from May 2021 to as recently as last March. The incidents were in violation of state regulations which prohibit sewage, wastewater or biosolids from being disposed of without treatment. Tom Brzezinski, chief business officer of engineering firm Wade Trim, said they will examine transient hydraulic loadings in the pipe and dig up sections where the break occurred and look at these joints. But the heart of the consent order homes in on construction of a new inline booster pump on North Plantation Key. Brzezinski said the inline booster is designed to keep a consistent pressure in the conveyance force main to the Key Largo treatment plant. Baseball field improvements talks ongoing
Discussions ensued between the Monroe County School District and Islamorada over $6 million in improvements the school district is seeking for the Founders Park baseball field. KEYS WEEKLY FILE PHOTO
Efforts by the Monroe County School District to inject roughly $6 million in improvements to the Founders Park baseball field drew much discussion and debate over the year. And the debate continues over the type of playing surface at the Founders Park ballfield, as some experts weighed in during a November public meeting in Islamorada. School officials are backing the use of synthetic turf, a manufactured product using fibers that mimic the aesthetic look of natural grass, on any future field improvements they undertake, including the field at Founders Park. Village council members approved a preliminary design, but have yet to sign off on a baseball license agreement with the school district. Discussions will continue in 2026.
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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 1, 2026
NOTABLE COVERS OF 2025
Honoring a fishing legend, remembering a young man gone too soon JIM McCARTHY
C
overs can be compared to the facade of a home or business. Our covers pay homage to our local residents who are out doing extraordinary things, harrowing wildlife stories and cool scenes around town. Our covers also remember those we lost too soon. These are just a few of the notable covers gracing the Upper Keys Weekly in 2025. Visit keysweekly.com and click the print editions tab to view all editions and their respective covers throughout the year.
1¢
“I hold the maxim no less applicable to public than to private affairs, that honesty is the best policy.” — George Washington
jim@keysweekly.com
“We’ve found Merrick in our school spirit, it lives in the Coral Shores halls.” — Laura Lietaert
February 13, 2025
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More birds, fewer mosquitoes.
May 22, 2025
July 17, 2025
FLAMINGO SIGHTINGS
Birds make comeback; one was spotted in Tavernier needing help | P. 8
COLORFUL STRIDES
KEYS COMMUNITY REMEMBERS
Runners have a blast | P. 16
SCRUBS TO SCUBA Nurse finds new passion | P. 18
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CELEBRITIES FROM ‘THE U’ DESCEND UPON ISLAMORADA
Legendary Islamorada sportsman Richard Stanczyk enters Hall of Fame | P. 10
Hurricane Hall of Famers take part in fish tournament | P. 9
UP ON THE ROOFTOP Least tern chicks find safe nesting atop residence | P. 17
VILLAGE MANAGER SEARCH Council will make a selection | P. 9 MURDER INSIDE RESORT Woman found dead; man arrested | P. 4
Rideshare service gets extended in Islamorada | P. 4
Join us! ber
m Key Largo Cha & rs Membe Non-Members Welcome.
8-year-old rushed from Key Largo waters to hospital | P. 4
ISLAND TASTE
CALLING IT A CAREER
Key Largo culinary scene on month-long display | P. 12
Dr. Stan Zuba retires, sells practice to pediatrician | P. 5
SIMPLIFY YOUR FINANCES, MAXIMIZE YOUR RESULTS
FULL SERVICE FIRM
BOY BITTEN BY SHARK
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Island Life Has a Soundtrack... Can You Still Hear It? Dr. Michelle and the team at Hear 4 U Audiology can help!
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305.852.4373 | jmolinarocpa.com
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Our Tavernier Office Is Moving!
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Beginning Friday, September 19th, our office in Tavernier will be relocating to a new space to better serve you! KEY WEST 1010 Kennedy Drive, Suite 305 In the Kennedy Center
MARATHON 11400 Overseas Highway Suite 209 Town Square Mall
TAVERNIER 93911 Overseas Hwy., Ste. 5 (2nd Floor) Tavernier, FL 33070
HOMESTEAD Towers Professional Plaza 151 NW 11th St., Ste. W-301
CALL TODAY TO START YOUR JOURNEY! heardrmichelle.com
(305) 247-8227
New Address: The Vault Building (Formerly Bank of America) 92300 Overseas Hwy., Suite 300 & 301 Tavernier, FL 33070 There is convenient elevator access to the third floor. We look forward to welcoming you to the new location!
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KEY WEST 1010 Kennedy Drive, Suite 305 In the Kennedy Center
Saturday
JANUARY 10
Playa Largo Resort , Key Largo
VIP reception, 5:30 PM • General Admin, 6:00 PM For more information call the Key Largo Chamber at 305-451-1414.
HOMESTEAD Towers Professional Plaza 151 NW 11th St., Ste. W-301
CALL TODAY TO START YOUR JOURNEY! heardrmichelle.com
(305) 247-8227
Sponso Opport rship un Availab ities le!
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MARATHON 11400 Overseas Highway - Suite 209 Town Square Mall
TAVERNIER 92300 Overseas Hwy., Suite 300 & 301 in the Vault Building (Formerly Bank of America) Tavernier, FL 33070
SCAN
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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 1, 2026
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Closed on Tuesday
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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 1, 2026
THE MOST TRUSTED NAME IN FLORIDA KEYS REAL ESTATE SINCE 1955 2 SEXTON COVE RD., KEY LARGO SATURDAY, JANUARY 3, 10AM - 12PM
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JILL PITTMAN 305.799.4305
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PATTI STANLEY MM/Side
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6099 OVERSEAS HWY #4W, MARATHON
SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 9:30 - 11AM
MEGAN JONES 305.395.9567
$329,000
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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 1, 2026
N HOUSE WEEKEND
, TAVERNIER ARY 3, 12PM - 2PM
141 OCEAN DR., TAVERNIER SATURDAY, JANUARY 3, 11AM - 1PM
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$1,695,000
Y, ISLAMORADA RY 4, 11AM - 1PM
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9
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439 PALM DR., ISLAMORADA SATURDAY, JANUARY 3, 10AM - 12PM
$2,650,000
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106 SAN JUAN DR. ISLAMORADA SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 12PM - 2PM
$979,900
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$1,997,000
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118 SNAPPER CREEK DR. LONG KEY SATURDAY, JANUARY 3, 9:30 - 11AM
$1,145,500
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88540 #304 OVERSEAS HWY, PLANTATION KEY
SATURDAY, JANUARY 3, 11AM - 1PM
ELIZABETH JOLIN 305.393.0994
$649,000
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118 SNAPPER 112 PEACECREEK AVE TAVERNIER DR. LONG KEY SATURDAY, SUNDAY, JANUARY JANUARY4,3,11AM 9:30 - 11AM 1PM
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68/OCEAN
$799,000
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144 SEVERINO DR., ISLAMORADA SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 11AM - 2PM
ALINA DAVIS 305.393.0541
NANCY HERSHOFF 305.393.4061
$2,750,000
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101 VILLA BELLA DR., ISLAMORADA SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 9:30AM - 12PM
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88.5 BAY
CAROLINE HENDRIX 786.847.3705
MEGAN JONES 305.395.9567
THE NEWMAN TEAM 305.393.1770
Y 305.393.4433
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LIZETTE MILLER 305.522.0684 SANDRA SPAULDING 305.522.5735
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LIZETTE MILLER 305.522.0684 SANDRA SPAULDING 305.522.5735
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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 1, 2026
Marathon High School teacher Rob Driscoll preps for takeoff in an F/A-18 Super Hornet piloted by the Blue Angels’ Major Scott Laux. CONTRIBUTED
Sailor the leatherback turtle meets its rescuer and namesake: Sailor the dog. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly
Andrew Heise receives his certificate of recognition from Gov. Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis.
Injured during an evening traffic stop in April 2024, deputy Julian Garcia returned to work in 2025, beating the odds after his above-the-knee amputation. JIM MCCARTHY/Keys Weekly
U.S. Army veteran and Monroe County School Board member John Dick, right, makes an etching with his grandson Raymond Paul at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial of a fellow service member killed in action. CONTRIBUTED
Crews from FWC and DRC work in the early morning hours of March 21 to load an injured male manatee for transport from Grassy Key to SeaWorld. DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER/Contributed
NEWSFLASH: PEOPLE ARE AWESOME The best feel-good stories of 2025
ALEX RICKERT
alex@keysweekly.com
A
s the national news cycle continues its endless parade of turmoil and tragedy, it’s our honor and deepest pleasure to shine a light on the amazing accomplishments of locals and visitors alike here in the Keys. Our islands are home to some of the most incredible human beings on the planet, and it’s a privilege to tell these stories and celebrate them.
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A local teacher felt the need for speed ahead of the Southernmost Air Spectacular as Marathon High School’s Rob Driscoll took a flight with the Blue Angels. Pulling more than seven Gs and speeding ahead to Mach 1.1, Driscoll may have lost his lunch – but gained a core memory for the rest of his life. Although the Keys boast an active manatee rescue program, brush fires that closed the 18-mile stretch forced a first-ever emergency overnight stay at Dolphin Research Center for a 9-foot male manatee suffering from a collapsed lung after a presumed boat strike. The manatee survived the night and was transported to SeaWorld for further treatment the next morning. Marathon-based FWC fisheries biologist Andrew Heise’s days in Boy Scouts came in handy in 2024 when he saved a man from a crocodile attack in the Everglades. Heise’s role in the rescue may not have made mainstream media reports, but the story made its way to Gov. Ron DeSantis, who in March honored Heise as one of 62 Florida Heroes – the first-ever recipient of the award from Monroe County. A pooch on his evening walk turned into a lucky rescuer for a rare leatherback turtle hatchling in a sticky situation. Rick and Candice Lee’s dog Sailor alerted them to the struggling baby, stuck in a crack after hatching from a nest near Coco Plum Beach in Marathon. Brought to the Turtle Hospital in Marathon for evaluation, the healthy hatchling was successfully released later that evening.
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Upper Keys charter captain Joe Hall started 2025 with an act of heroism on New Year’s Day. Spotting a vessel in distress about seven miles off Key Largo, Hall’s day soon turned to a rescue mission as he and his 35 passengers rescued a man, woman and their 7-year-old son from their capsized boat. A harrowing video showed the moment FWC officer Shawn Turner saved swamped kayaker Michael Krevat on July 19 off Big Pine Key. Too exhausted to reboard his kayak, Krevat said he’d treaded water for around half an hour and was about to go under when Turner arrived on the scene, courtesy of a call from a shoreside Good Samaritan. Veterans in the Keys got the trip of a lifetime in September courtesy of Honor Flight South Florida. The program conducts one-day trips, flying senior defenders of freedom to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials in their honor. A sendoff at Dillon’s Pub and Grill in Tavernier brought locals together to honor 10 Monroe County veterans on their way to Fort Lauderdale. Against all odds, MCSO deputy Julian Garcia, who lost his leg in 2024 after a suspected drunk driver plowed into his patrol car during a traffic stop, climbed back into the driver’s seat in late June for his first shift since the accident. “He’s continued to impress me and others, continuing to achieve goals and objectives and proving to him and others he could make a comeback,” said Sheriff Rick Ramsay. “And he did make a comeback.”
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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 1, 2026
CHAIRMAN'S BALL
JANUARY 10TH AT PLAYA LARGO RESORT
THE CHAIRMAN'S BALL WILL BE A HOLLYWOOD RED CARPET NIGHT TO REMEMBER! TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE! EMAIL EVENTS@KEYLARGOCHAMBER.ORG OR PURCHASE ONLINE
MEMBERS IN MOTION THURSDAY, JAN. 22, 5:30-7:30 P.M HOSTED BY THE UPPER KEYS SAILING CLUB WITH FOOD BY THE CATCH 100 OCEAN BAY DR, KEY LARGO, FL 33037
EAT. DRINK. MINGLE. RELAX. WATERFRONT BAR | RESTAURANT | MARINA HAPPY HOUR 4:30-6:30 P.M. LIVE MUSIC FRIDAY & SATURDAYS COMING SOON!! SUNDAY BRUNCH 11 A.M. - 2 P.M. 305.451.3142 | 13 SEAGATE BOULEVARD | MM 99.6
SPONSOR A LUNCHEON THIS YEAR STILL HAVE OPENINGS! 2026 is a great time to renew your membership or join us as a member!
YOUR KEY LARGO CHAMBER WISHES YOU A
FANTASTIC 2026! LEGENDARY KEY LARGO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & FLORIDA KEYS VISITOR CENTER 305.451.1414 - 1.800.822.1088 - events@keylargochamber.org 106000 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037
WWW.KEYLARGOCHAMBER.ORG
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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 1, 2026 BRIEFLY
YOU GOT A FRIEND IN ME
Annual lunch supports children’s shelter
From deputies to local officials, supporters of Pawsitive Beginnings gathered for the second annual Friendsgiving Day Lunch last month. CONTRIBUTED
H
i friends! Reef the fox here with your weekly “Reef’s Report.” Okay, listen. I joke a lot. I judge freely. I pretend REEF I’m emotionally THE FOX unavailable. But I need everyone to Reef is a red fox understand somethat was saved from a fur farm. thing very clearly: He now lives in This community Key Largo with absolutely wrecks his human, Nicole me, in the best Navarro. way. Pawsitive Beginnings hosted our second annual Friendsgiving Day lunch for the children and staff of the Florida Keys Children’s Shelter, and it was one for the books. There were cops. There were elected representatives. There were board members from the Ocean Reef Chamber of Commerce. There was laughter, connection and the kind of love you can feel in your chest. The sheriff’s office even let the kids explore a patrol car, lights, sirens, the whole deal. I saw at least three future deputies and one kid who very clearly plans to be the boss of everyone. Now here’s the part that still blows my mind: Not one dime came out of my mom’s pocket. Not a single
one. Every bite of food, every smile, every magical moment was made possible by local businesses and humans who showed up and showed out. Chef Michael’s fed the masses like culinary royalty. The Be Sweet Gelato truck arrived like a sugary miracle, and yes, I made the responsible choice and went with vegan pistachio gelato because cows’ milk and fox tummies don’t mix. Did I enjoy it? Possibly too much. Do I regret it? Absolutely not. This town never ceases to amaze me. Truly. Creating meaningful, joyfilled experiences for these kids will never get old, not ever. And none of it happens without the donors who quietly, generously, and repeatedly say “yes” when it matters most. Endless gratitude to Key Largo Princess Glass Bottom Boat, Chef Michael’s, Keys Audio Party Rentals, Be Sweet Gelato, Barbara Froelich, Rosie and Nelson Sanchez, Kelly Matacena, Tess Marra, Cindy Smith, Lynda Weinstein, Island Nails by Tania, Lee and Roger Young, and Brad Copeland; you are the reason this day existed. So yes, this was Friendsgiving. But it was also proof that this community shows up with heart, intention, and a whole lot of love. And as your local fox correspondent, I can confirm: Grateful doesn’t even begin to cover it. Until next time, Reef, over and out!
Minnesota man dies in snorkeling incident A 60-year-old Minnesota man died after he went snorkeling on Sombrero Key Lighthouse off Marathon, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. The man, Eric Adams Anderson of Zimmerman, Minnesota, lost consciousness while in the water at 3:37 p.m. on Dec. 27. Lifesaving measures began immediately. The U.S. Coast Guard brought Anderson ashore. Foul play is not believed to be a factor. Man arrested for threatening deputies A 46-year-old Key Largo man was arrested on Christmas Day after he allegedly threatened deputies. Mohammad Hussein John Blouri was charged with making threats and obstruction. The sheriff’s office was conducting a traffic stop regarding a family disturbance possibly involving a firearm on Hibiscus Lane in Key Largo at 5:18 p.m. when Blouri walked up and began yelling at deputies. Blouri walked away after being warned, but returned and stated, “I’ll bust y’alls head open.” He then jogged away and stated deputies would have to catch him, which occurred shortly thereafter. Blouri began kicking and screaming inside the patrol vehicle. He was taken to jail. Nature hike at Dagny Johnson A guided nature walk at Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Bo-
tanical State Park will take place on Thursday, Jan. 1 at 9:30 a.m., offering visitors a healthy and engaging way to begin the year while exploring. Led by a native plant nursery volunteer, the one-hour, 1.8-mile walk will highlight the park’s unique plant and animal life and share insights into its cultural history. While supplies last, hikers will receive a collectible sticker to commemorate their choice to spend the first day of the year on the trail. Participants should meet at the main park entrance on County Road 905, located one-half mile north of the intersection with U.S. 1 at MM 106 in Key Largo. Drop off broken lights Through Jan. 15, holiday lights can be dropped off at the following locations to be transferred to the nearest Home Depot site: • Coral Isles Church, 90001 Overseas Highway, Tavernier. The collection bin is located behind the church. • Eco-Discovery Center, 35 East Quay Road, Key West. • Florida Bay Forever at the Green Turtle Hammock State Park, Islamorada. String lights, rope lights and holiday light strands often contain materials that can be recycled, but they do not belong in curbside recycling carts. Seasonal collection bins at Home Depot locations in Marathon and Key West also offer a convenient way to keep these items out of the landfill and ensure they’re processed properly.
SAVE THE DATE Thursday, Jan. 1 • Annual Blessing of the Fleet from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at Whale Harbor Channel, MM 84, Islamorada. A blessing bash follows at 11 a.m. at Safe Harbor Angler House, Islamorada. • First Day Hike at 9:30 a.m. at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Key Largo. • First Day Hike at 10 a.m. at Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park, Islamorada. Saturday, Jan. 3 • Florida Keys Quilters monthly meeting at 10 a.m. at Key Largo library Community room, Tradewinds Plaza, 101485 Overseas Highway. Open to new members.
Sunday, Jan. 4 • Composting event from 11 a.m. to noon at Burton Memorial Methodist Church, Tavernier. Free workshop to learn how to compost kitchen waste. Tuesday, Jan. 6 • Ukulele class for beginners from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Key Largo library. Thursday, Jan. 8 • MarrVelous Pet Rescues “Yappy Hour” at 5:30 p.m. at Dive Bar on the Bay, Tavernier. Dogs must be vaccinated, leashed and well mannered. Friday, Jan. 9 • Eighth annual Fish for Holly Sailfish Tournament at the Islander Resort, Islamorada. Visit Fish for Holly on Facebook to learn more.
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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 1, 2026
BEHIND THE LENS
The best snapshots of 2025 JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com
F
rom swims in the pool and to Alligator Lighthouse to a visit from the Stanley Cup, our local photographers captured awe-inspiring images in 2025.
Coral Shores Class of 2025 members gather at Islamorada’s Founders Park beach for a senior sunset yearbook signing and cap toss on May 15. DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly
Wave 3 blue caps, made up of three-person teams, begin their swim to Alligator Lighthouse on Sept. 13. DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly
A swimmer on the winning women’s team from Stonehill College in Easton, Mass., competes in the Orange Bowl Swim Classic on Jan. 3, 2025, at the Jacobs Aquatic Center in Key Largo. STEPHEN FRINK/Contributed
Key Dives’ conservation coordinator Morgan Gardner holds a large amount of debris during a cleanup off Islamorada in March.
From left, Dolphin Life’s Art Cooper, Juli Goldstein and Steve McCulloch bring a struggling pygmy killer whale to shore off Long Key State Park on Jan. 12. DEB JOHNSON/Contributed
Florida Panthers general manager Bill Zito brings the Stanley Cup to Theater of the Sea to meet some marine mammals in June. Photo courtesy of BILL ZITO/Via X
Everglades Alligator Farm custom tours manager Brandon Perello holds Stax, a green iguana belonging to the farm, a third-place finisher of the Iguana Race during the 10th Anniversary party at Florida Keys Brewing Co. DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly
About 1,000 people attend the celebration of life for Merrick Dunn the evening of May 16 at Harry Harris Park in Tavernier. The 15 year-old Coral Shores High School student was killed in a singlevehicle rollover accident on the evening of May 5. DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly
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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 1, 2026
A BUSY YEAR FOR MONROE COUNTY AND TALLAHASSEE Governments ax funds for nonprofits, administration commission approves ROGOs By Keys Weekly staff
T
he year 2025 was busy in the southernmost county and at the state capital in Tallahassee. From budget cuts to development, county commissioners and state legislators had some big decisions to make throughout the year.
MONROE COUNTY GOVERNMENT Approvals garnered for Publix project County commissioners supported various measures to advance Blackstone Group Tavernier 925 LLC’s Publix and workforce housing project at MM 92.5 oceanside. In April, commissioners voted in favor of a development agreement, which spells out the details and commitment for the development. In June, a major conditional use permit was approved for developers to build a 47,240-squarefoot Publix supermarket and 2,100-square-foot liquor store at the front of the property. Toward the back, 86 units of workforce housing will be constructed. U.S. 1 widening rejected At a Sept. 10 meeting, Monroe County commissioners unanimously rejected a draft proposal to give the Florida Department of Transportation authority to potentially enlarge segments of U.S. 1 to four lanes of traffic. The proposal strictly involved unincorporated areas of Monroe County. County budget axes employees, nonprofit funds Monroe County Commissioners voted 4-1 for a tentative $674 million spending plan with funding cuts to Florida Keys nonprofits serving the most vulnerable populations. Agencies in social services and health saw funds through the county’s Human Services Advisory Board reduced by 50%, or $1.1 million in all. Additional county budget cuts included layoffs, eliminating 20 vacant positions and forgoing Freebee rideshare service. County nixes downstairs enclosures Maximum size requirements and required inspections during home sales for downstairs enclosures in unincorporated Monroe County are no longer, following the county commission’s unanimous vote on Oct. 15. The changes come via an ordinance to amend the floodplain management chapter of Monroe County’s land development code as the county shakes off a 23-year stint on, in staff’s own words from 2023, “FEMA’s naughty list.”
STATE GOVERNMENT Florida assists ICE Earlier this year, Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state Legislature passed some of the strictest immigration laws in the country. One provision, known as the 287(g) Program, requires all local, county and state law enforcement agencies in Florida to sign agreements stating they will assist ICE with immigration enforcement. Any police chief or sheriff who refuses to do so can be removed from office by the governor. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Key West Police Department and Key Colony Beach Police Department signed the required 287(g) agreements with ICE, which expand a local department’s authority to: • Identify and process removable aliens with pending or active criminal charges. • Enforce limited immigration authorities with ICE oversight during routine duties. • “Serve and execute administrative warrants on removable aliens in your jail,” states the ICE website. Governor vetoes nonprofit funds On June 30, Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed more than $560 million from a legislatively-approved $115 billion budget. Nearly $1 million was tossed out of the budget by DeSantis for Keys AHEC, which provides comprehensive medical and dental care for local school-age children. Keys AHEC initially submitted a request to the state Legislature for $975,000 to continue its work providing dental services, including cleanings, sealings and X-rays, as well as health services, including physicals ahead of the school year for children in the Keys. “He eliminated budget sections which were very interesting. … It’s the first time I had seen that,” Keys AHEC CEO Michael Cunningham said. “I don’t know whether he really understood the project or gave it a fair shake.”
ROGO rodeo First, it was a squabble over how many to ask for. Next, it was whether or not the Legislature would allow them. And finally, it was a waiting game to learn how to accept them. The Keys Weekly lost count of how many times we wrote about the fate of new building rights (ROGOs) throughout the island chain in 2025. Worried governments faced the threat of takings cases – multimillion-dollar lawsuits from owners of otherwise buildable land that were denied the chance to do so – once they exhausted their dwindling supplies of allocations. Bills with separate asks for new building rights – 500 from state Rep. Jim Mooney and 3,500 from Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez – were eventually amended to reflect a unified request: a change to the hurricane evacuation clearance time for the Keys from 24 to 24.5 hours, paving the way for up to 825 new rights. At one point in the 2025 legislative session, four separate bills provided a path for new building rights Ultimately, a specific carve-out in Pinellas County-based Sen. Nick DiCeglie’s Senate Bill 180, a disaster preparedness bill, allowed for up to 900 new building rights with a 24.5-hour evacuation clearance. The rights are designed for one unit per vacant buildable lot, prioritizing owneroccupied affordable and workforce housing. But for months, Keys governments remained in limbo with little guidance from state leadership over when these rights would actually be handed over for distribution. The uncertainty was finally answered in a Dec. 17 meeting of DeSantis and his Cabinet, during which the Administration Commission approved a recommendation for distributing the new rights by Florida Secretary of Commerce Alex Kelly. An initial batch of 300 will be available for distribution by Keys governments starting Jan. 1, split proportionally among jurisdictions based on their number of vacant buildable lots. Following the 10-year timeline in the bill, a new group of 150 units will then be released every two years, reaching the full quota by 2035.
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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 1, 2026
YOU THOUGHT WE WERE KIDDING? A few of the strangest headlines this year ALEX RICKERT
alex@keysweekly.com
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here’s the Florida Man, and then there’s the Florida Keys Man (ladies, don’t worry, we didn’t forget about you). Without fail, our Year in Review editions unearth golden nuggets of stories we almost forgot about over the last 52 weeks. You know – the kind that make you scratch your head and say “wait … what?” Home on the (gun) range? The oddities started right away when a trio on Little Torch Key were arrested for firing an AR-15 rifle at homemade targets. Things were going swimmingly – until a stray bullet found its way through the wall of an unsuspecting neighbor’s home. There were no reported injuries. Crikey! MCSO deputies deal with more than just speeders and the occasional cocaine brick – a LOT more. Sergeant James Hager channeled his inner Steve Irwin during a call of a crocodile lounging in a pool at a Key Largo home on Jan. 31. Hager and a resident were seen on video using long-handled tools to shoo the crocodile away from the property and back toward the water. Dance like it’s your birthday (suit). A 55-year-old Montgomery, New York man was arrested in March after MCSO received calls about a reckless driver on U.S. 1 in Key Largo. When deputies arrived, they found Timothy Mahoney wearing a construction hard hat, but otherwise nude, dancing to music. He tried to continue smoking marijuana from a pipe while being detained, deputies said. Timing is everything. A 40-year-old Marathon man and 27-year-old Marathon woman were arrested 15 minutes before the midnight opening of the commercial and regular lobster season on Aug. 6 for allegedly robbing lobster traps on the bayside of Grassy Key in the vicinity of the Quay boat ramp. According to deputies,
Dorgis Rodriguez Lugones refused commands by dumping a lobster trap aboard his 17-foot boat back into the water in plain view, before also emptying a cooler full of poached lobster back into the water and putting his hands on his head. The court case is pending. Getting freaky in public. A Middle Keys woman was arrested twice in five months for allegedly engaging in sex acts in public view – first in August at a Marathon gas station, and later in December with two men mid-day in the parking lot of the Marathon Winn Dixie.
Shots on a makeshift gun range on Little Torch Key sent bullets flying into the home of an unsuspecting neighbor in January. MCSO/Contributed
He’s with me, man. An unlicensed contracting investigation in Islamorada turned into a chaotic car chase for MCSO in late September, as a Fort Lauderdale trio jumped in a truck and led deputies on a ride through the Upper Keys. A mother and son were eventually arrested after the truck’s tires were spiked and it came to a stop, but the father ran off, later changing his clothes and fishing near another man who told officers the pair had been fishing for hours. Deputies soon realized 46-year-old Butch Anthony Stevens was the runaway they’d been searching for – and also handed 69-year-old Felix Esquijarosa a notice to appear in court for his alleged role in the cover-up. Oh, you wanted this back? A Florida City man was arrested in November after allegedly getting behind the wheel of a taxi in Marathon and driving it to the Upper Keys. Deputies said the report of a stolen taxi came in from Overseas Highway in Marathon. The taxi’s keys were left inside with the doors unlocked, and that’s when 43-yearold Misael Asaria Bocio allegedly got inside the vehicle and went for a ride. The taxi was spotted by deputies in Islamorada driving erratically. Deputies stopped the vehicle and later identified the driver as Bocio. He was arrested and charged with grand theft auto and driving with a suspended license.
Sergeant James Hager gets friendly with a visiting crocodile at a Key Largo residence. CONTRIBUTED
Authorities say when they found 55-year-old Timothy Mahoney after a car chase, he was dancing to music and wearing nothing but a hard hat. MCSO/Contributed
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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 1, 2026
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION GRANTS BOOST LOCAL PANTRIES
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he Community Foundation of the Florida Keys’ Upper Keys Advisory Council recently awarded three grants for $5,000 each to strengthen local food pantries, which play a key role in supporting families throughout the community. The awards come from the foundation’s Upper Keys Future Fund, one of three hyper-local regional funds that provide grants to nonprofits serving the Upper, Middle and Lower Keys. Beyond supporting local food pantries, the Upper Keys Advisory Council also recently played a substantial role in fully funding a Community Foundation grant to the Good Health Clinic for their Healthy Lives Program. The council’s $15,000 contribution helped bring the total award to $30,000, ensuring the program could move forward as designed. Healthy Lives is a collaboration between the Good Health Clinic and the S.O.S. Foundation, pairing access to medications with nutritional support for residents in the Upper Keys. The food pantry grants will provide a boost to the S.O.S. Food Pantry at St. Justin Martyr Catholic Church in Key Largo, the pantry at Burton Memorial United Methodist Church in Tavernier, and the First Baptist Islamorada Community Ministry food bank. Food pantries across the Keys have seen more visitors in recent months. A recent Keys Weekly report noted that some providers are serving more than twice as many clients as earlier in the year. Even as rising costs and temporary disruptions to federal assistance programs bring new families through their doors, local pantries continue to offer steady and welcoming support. The Upper Keys Advisory Council recognized an opportunity to support these organizations during a particularly busy season. Funding from the Upper Keys Future Fund will help keep shelves stocked and expand access to fresh and healthy foods for residents in Key Largo, Tavernier, Islamorada and surrounding neighborhoods. “Food insecurity remains a growing challenge and addressing it has become a primary mission of the Upper Keys Advisory Council,” said Suzi Youngberg, council chair. “As rising food costs continue to impact local families, these grants provide vital support to our food pantries and community kitchens. Donations
ART GUILD OF THE PURPLE ISLES CELEBRATES 60TH YEAR
From left, Suzi Youngberg, Community Foundation Upper Keys Advisory Council; Burton Memorial’s Ariel Poholek, David Charleton and Betsy Edwards; and Suzanne Holmquist, Community Foundation Upper Keys Advisory Council. CONTRIBUTED Carol Ubben next to her ‘Pizza Palace’ during the 2025 Members’ Judged Art Show. CONTRIBUTED
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Elizabeth Brown, Community Foundation president and CEO, left, and Youngberg with the S.O.S distribution team.
From left, Youngberg, Sue Miller, Holmquist and Brown.
to the Upper Keys Future Fund make this work possible and help ensure our neighbors have access to essential meals and nutrition.” About the food pantries Part of the Star of the Sea Foundation network, the pantry at St. Justin Martyr Catholic Church provides fresh produce, proteins and shelf-stable food to families across the Keys. S.O.S distributes the equivalent of 1.6 million meals each year through its two client-choice pantries, and both locations are seeing an increasing number of visitors this season. The grant will help ensure continued access to nutritious food for local households. A long-serving emergency food provider in Tavernier, the Burton
Kate Banick, Good Health Clinic executive director, with the freezer of frozen meals from S.O.S. for the Healthy Lives program.
Memorial United Methodist Church food pantry offers groceries and essentials to Upper Keys residents. With demand rising, the need for consistent funding has grown as well. The pantry also welcomes volunteers year-round and encourages community members to get involved. Serving residents throughout the Islamorada area, the First Baptist Islamorada Community Ministry Food Bank offers nutritious food and caring support to individuals and families facing short-term challenges or longer-term financial hardship. Through its Community Ministry, the church combines food assistance with counseling services to address both immediate needs and the deeper causes of food insecurity. — Contributed
n 2026, the Art Guild of the Purple Isles will celebrate its 60th season. “We would like to continue to expand awareness of this fantastic guild for area and snowbird artists, as well as ensure the public gets ample opportunities to experience our work,” said David Bader, the guild’s president. As part of the celebration of its 60-year history, the guild announced an additional art show, “Beautiful Islamorada.” Bader said the new exhibit is a collaboration with Islamorada to exhibit guild art from mid-March through the summer, all the way into November at three Islamorada locations. “The village is making a special effort to embrace its artistic heritage, and (the guild) is happy to be a part of that journey,” he said. “Beautiful Islamorada” will be placed in Founders Park, MM 87, the village hall, MM 86.8, and the Green Turtle Hammock Nature Preserve, MM 81.2. More information is at agpi.us The first exhibit is on Jan. 21-April 15: “Dive Into Art: Stories from the Seas” in the History of Diving Museum, at MM 82.9 daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Students’ and artists’ original works.
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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 1, 2026
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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 1, 2026
RECEPTION CELEBRATES FIRST VILLAGE ART IN PUBLIC PLACES JILL MIRANDA BAKER jill@keysweekly.com
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modest audience of artists and community members came together on a recent Friday to celebrate the opening of the first Art in Public Buildings exhibit in three Islamorada-owned locations at Founders Park. Also on hand were Mayor Don Horton, council members Anna Richards and Steve Friedman, and Village Manager Ron Saunders. Guests gathered for the reception in the community room to see works by Monica Bankowski and Lisa Lee, while refreshments were enjoyed, comments were provided and artists were introduced. Bankowski’s “Amelia Snorkeling” is an acrylic on canvas and Lee’s giclee print “Sailfish” is in the gyotaku form, an ancient Japanese technique used to make prints of fish. The Islamorada arts program is a new initiative of the village, organized by cultural arts coordinator Emily Rother. This showcase features the work of 14 Islamorada-based artists and is on display through March 5. In the lobby of the Ron Levy Aquatic Center, the five works featured include “No Fishing,” oil on canvas by Paula Friedman; “HAMMERtime,” painted wood by Araña Glass; “Nurse Shark in Shallows,” giclee print by Chadley Mominee; “The Two of Us,” acrylic on canvas by Pasta Pantaleo; and “Dreamland,” photograph by EmmaNorthMich. In the village hall, works can be found in the lobbies of the three floors. These include “Bathing Beauties Walk the Shore,” acrylic on canvas by Jill Zima Borski; “Lady,” stoneware clay by Beth Kaminstein; “Fancy Pelican,” acrylic on canvas, “Crusin’,” collage and “Tarpon Bust,” acrylic on canvas, by Tim Borski; and “Golden Everglades,” photograph by Kelly Walkotten. The Islamorada family of the late artist Ramon Luis Núñez provide the final piece, an oil on canvas of Alligator Reef Lighthouse. Many of the works are for sale. More information is available from Rother at emily.rother@ islamorada.fl.us.
Artist Pasta Pantaleo, who has a piece in the exhibit, speaks about his mentor, artist John David Hawver, at the reception. Councilwoman Anna Richards is to the left and Mayor Don Horton is on the right, along with Craig McBay.
Artist Paula Friedman with her son Steve, a village councilman, in front of her ‘No Fishing’ piece in the Ron Levy Aquatic Center lobby as part of the first Village Arts in Public Buildings exhibit. JILL MIRANDA BAKER/ Keys Weekly
Emily Rother, Islamorada’s cultural arts coordinator, speaks at the recent opening reception. The exhibit is on display until March 5.
‘Amelia Snorkeling’ is Monica Bankowski’s acrylic on canvas on display in the community room.
Artist Lisa Lee poses with the gyotaku piece, ‘Sailfish,’ done in an ancient Japanese technique. Her work hangs in the Founders Park Community Room.
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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 1, 2026
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3 January 30, 2025
JANUARY 1, 2026 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS
FROM OPENING KICKOFF TO FINAL BUZZER
Fins defend home court | P.4
January 16, 2025
Key West competition cheer preps for regionals | P.4
January 9, 2025
MASTERS OF LAND & SEA Meet the All-Keys Football, Swim and Dive Teams | P.4
Highlight-reel performances by Keys athletes in 2025 February 13, 2025
FIRE IT UP Conchs, Fins test preseason bats | P.8
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s schools pause for the holidays, the Keys Weekly Sports Wrap recaps the highlights of the 2025 prep sports seasons. Record-breaking efforts and historic performances defined the year, as Monroe County athletes brought recognition and pride to the Florida Keys. From championship runs to individual milestones, these moments reflect the dedication, resilience and talent that made 2025 a year to remember across local programs. For a small, close-knit community, the Florida Keys continue to produce top-tier athletes and standout performances that compete and shine on much larger stages.
March 6, 2025
January 1, 2026
EL HT RE G I L H HIG : THE 5 2 0 2
P.3 ar | e ye of th stars e th ting sen Pre
WINTER
March 27, 2025
Lady Fins plate 75 in 3 games | P.5
The past 12 months gave fans of Keys athletics a record-breaking year, as squads and individual stars accomplished feats never before seen in the island chain. Enjoy our Keys Weekly Sports Wrap 2025 year in review.
Photos by Maicey Malgrat, Barry Gaukel, Rachel Rusch, Tracy McDonald, Doug Finger and Rick Mackenzie
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KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS / JANUARY 1, 2026 SPORTS WRITER
tracy mcdonald 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.
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.
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sean mcdonald grew up in Miami and moved to the Keys in 1997. He has spent the last 25 years teaching physical education and coaching virtually every sport for Florida Keys kids ages 4 to 18. If you are reading this and live or lived in the Florida Keys, he has probably taught, coached, or coached against someone you know.
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Ella Dunn, top, and Justice Lee Isom.
he Lady Fins weightlifters finished second in Florida for the traditional lifting category, outlifting over 100 other schools in the classification. In Olympic events, Marathon finished seventh. Coral Shores finished in a six-way tie for ninth place, making it two Keys schools in the top 10 for the entire Sunshine State. Justice Lee Isom successfully defended her Olympic title, adding a third gold state medal to her expansive collection as she shattered school records again and again during the season. Lee Isom also brought home a silver medal in the traditional event. Ella Dunn picked up a pair of fifth-place finishes at the state meet, while Ayme Maradiaga won bronze in the traditional event in the same weight class as Dunn. Ella Evans also made two trips to the podium, one for a fourth-place traditional medal and another for a sixth-place medal in Olympic lifts. The Lady ’Canes picked up some hardware of their own at states. Jennille Arias won one silver and one bronze in her weight category, and Sydney Eysenbach won fourth in Olympic and sixth in traditional lifts in her class. Coral Shores’ Vanessa Gabriel, in the same class as Eysenbach, finished 10th. On the boys’ side, Marathon did the heavy lifting in 2025, sending four athletes to the boys FHSAA 1A State Championships, three of whom medaled at the event. Matthias Martinez-Velez brought home a fourth-place medal in the traditional event and Max Childress won fifth. Tanner Ross finished sixth in the Olympic event.
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Alfredo Corrales, right, shows off his
David Beltran and Jake Ferguson take the podium at regionals.
PINNING DOWN SUCCESS
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he Key West Conchs earned their 16th consecutive wrestling district championship in 2025, while Coral Shores finished third in FHSAA’s 1A District 16. Key West’s entire team qualified for regionals by placing in the top four spots at the meet. In all, the Keys saw five district champs in Key West’s Lazaro Diaz, Kyle Condella, Abram Canet and Alfredo Corrales as well as Coral Shores’ Costa Tuttle. At regionals, Corrales brought home gold, joining Canet, Jake Ferguson, James Searcy and Lady Conch Maria Halushka in qualifying for states. Also qualifying were Tuttle, David Beltran and Sebastian McCoy from the Hurricanes’ crew. Corrales went on to capture fourth place at states. He surpassed the school record in career wins with 150 and career pins with 94. 2025 also marked the inaugural season for Marathon’s wrestling team. The squad, a mix of middle school athletes and underclassmen, took to the mats at Coral Shores Dec. 18 to add a third Monroe County team to the district.
Marathon wrestlers after their first meet Dec. 18.
ALL CHEERS
JANUARY 1, 2026 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS
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t the start of 2025, Key West was home to the only competitive cheer squad in Monroe County. The team hit the mark at regionals and earned a bid to states, where they finished seventh in their division. By mid-year, Coral Shores joined in the fun, adding the sport to the school’s athletic offerings and competing against the Conchs at a head-to-head competition in the Southernmost City in preparation for regionals.
The Lady Conchs competitive cheer squad qualified for states.
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KINGS OF DIAMONDS
KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS / JANUARY 1, 2026
The Hurricanes, top, Dolphins, center, and Conchs celebrate their district championship wins.
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or the first time in history, all three of Monroe County’s public high school baseball teams were crowned district champions. The Dolphins, competing for the first season in the 1A Rural classification, went 18-11 after winning their first district title in the new division. The Hurricanes finished 19-5-1 on their quest, which culminated with a 2A District 16 title. Key West made some room in the trophy case for district title number 34 when they won the 4A championship.
Ali Wheatley
ABOVE THE BAR
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Ava Merryman
Josh Johnson
ifteen Monroe County athletes qualified for the state championships in track and field, and many of them brought home hardware. Key West’s Ian Newton struck gold when he cleared 15’3” to win a state championship in the pole vault. Teammate Shane Lavallee brought home bronze in javelin, and Audrey Smith placed fourth in girls javelin. Jeremiah Harvey and Peyton Zubieta also medaled in javelin, winning sixth and seventh place, respectively. Noah Mercer broke the school record in discus at the state meet to capture a fourth-place medal. Ariel Newton and Josh Johnson finished in the top 10 in pole vault and shot
JANUARY 1, 2026 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS Clockwise from far left: Scout Oliver, Emmett Merryman, Roco Piscetello and Claudia Steling.
TEEING UP HISTORY
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eys golf teams saw an increase in athletes and in their success in 2025. Coral Shores sent its first athlete to regionals with Scout Oliver’s fantastic performance at districts. Oliver punched his card to regionals with a third-place tie at districts and was joined by Marathon’s Emmett Merryman, who narrowly won a tiebreaker with teammate Roco Piscetello to become the Dolphins’ first regional qualifier. Key West’s Claudia Steling became just the second female golfer to break 100 at districts, shooting a 94 and earning a spot of her own at regionals to give all three Keys schools regional representation.
Ian Newton
Justice Lee Isom
Noah Mercer
Ariel Newton
put, making it an incredible season in the field for Key West. Marathon’s Justice Lee Isom dominated the throwing events, capturing three medals for the Fins. Lee Isom was eighth in javelin, third in discus and second in shot put. Joining Lee Isom on the podium was Ava Merryman, who took seventh in the pole vault event. Though no medals were won on the track, Marathon’s Jay Marshall and Vance Bursa plus Key West’s Caylaa Makimaa and Coral Shores’ Ali Wheatley all qualified for the big show. Rounding out the state qualifiers was Key West’s Malachi Telisma, who made the cut in high jump.
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KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS / JANUARY 1, 2026
MAKING WAVES Santiago Gonzalez
James Osborne
Jack Chapman
HARDWOOD HEROES
The Lady Fins hoist their trophy after se
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wo Keys hoopsters matched school records in 2025. In early January, Marathon’s Jack Chapman, then a freshman, matched Stephen Hernandez’s 2018 three-point record, sinking 10 threes in a single game.
Noah Mercer
Chase Gaertner
Layne Smith, left center, and Aaron Lykins, right center, with their coaches.
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his year we watched one school record fall and a pair of athletes make the cut for the state meet in swimming and diving. Key West’s Santiago Gonzalez broke a sevenyear-old record in the 200 freestyle event by nearly a second. While Gonzalez was making his mark for Key West, Coral Shores sent two athletes to states. Layne Smith, unquenched by her historic win in the 8-mile Swim to Alligator Lighthouse race through open water, dove in at states after qualifying in the 500-yard freestyle event. Teammate Aaron Lykins also qualified for the state meet in the 1-meter diving event. Lykins’ first foray into the event was in 2024, and despite his newcomer status, he qualified both seasons.
Jeff Dejean
GRIDIRON GREA
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JANUARY 1, 2026 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS
Loubins Fleuridor
Sofia Jans
ecuring a district title.
In Key West, James Osborne, named Player of the Year despite missing a large portion of the 2024-25 season with an injury, came back with a renewed focus in 2025. Now a senior, Osborne unleashed a flurry against Westminster Christian School on
Walson Morin
ATNESS
Nov. 29, scoring an incredible 46 points to tie Leron Graves’ feat from 35 years ago. In girls basketball action, Marathon found success in the new Rural 1A classification, winning the district title and securing a 10-8 record.
K
ey West led the way on the football field in 2025, earning a 7-5 record and bringing home the runner-up trophy in FHSAA’s 3A District 16. The Conchs had an arsenal of weapons, with a pair of running backs who were a scoring threat every time they touched the ball. Jeff Dejean rushed for 1,112 yards and scored 14 touchdowns in his senior season, finishing second on the leaderboards for the district. Only teammate Walson Morin topped him. Morin rushed for 1,802 yards and 21 touchdowns to lead District 16 in both categories and rank him 11th in the state in all classifications. Chase Gaertner tied the school’s record for longest punt with a 68-yarder – one of his two on the season to surpass the 60-yard mark. Noah Mercer, wooed by a multitude of college football teams, took his place in the Conch record books when he became the all-time leader in sacks in a single season as well as a career.
PITCH PERFECT
K
ey West’s boys soccer team captured the FHSAA 4A District 16 title in 2025, fueled by DJ Barrett’s game-winning goal. Barrett earned a nod from the FACA All-Star committee and a spot on the Roosevelt University team in Chicago. Loubins Fleuridor scored 13 goals and Sonny Bowden netted 11 to make the season one of Key West’s best. Coral Shores’ girls made their mark, beating Marathon twice and Key West once in 2025. Sofia Jans led the team in scoring with 12 goals and four assists. Key West’s Maddie Kilduff scored 13 goals last season and is already making net gains in the first half of play this season. Kilduff had a collegiate offer early in her junior year, proving her prowess on the pitch goes well beyond the Southernmost City.
DJ Barrett
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GOING THE DISTANCE
KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS / JANUARY 1, 2026 Below: Ali Wheatley sprints for the finish at states. Bottom: The Marathon boys cross country team waits for the gun at the state championship start
T
he Lady Conchs softball team finished 16-8 in 2025, winning a district championship and picking off opponents one contender at a time until the regional championship game. Pitcher Brianna Brenner, then a sophomore, topped the district with 127 strikeouts and a 2.26 ERA. Marathon also finished above the .500 mark, going 9-7 in their first season in 1A’s Rural classification. Then-sophomore Madelyn Thornton was perfect in the field defensively and batted for a noteworthy .909 slugging percentage.
SEASON OF SUCCESS Brianna Brenner
M
arathon’s Tony Bursa won the 1A District 8 cross country championship in 2025, while Coral Shores’ Ali Wheatley won silver. Both athletes are just sophomores. Marathon and Coral Shores qualified their entire boys and girls squads for regionals, while Key West’s boys finished strong to upset the odds for a place at the event. For the 11th consecutive season, Marathon’s boys cross country team toed the line at the state championships. The Fins finished 16th in Florida’s 1A, but led the classification for public schools, a feat made even more noteworthy given Florida Keys teams do not have the opportunity to train on the type of hilly terrain that makes up the state course. Wheatley earned an individual spot at the state championships after missing out by a single place in 2024 during her freshman campaign.
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JANUARY 1, 2026 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS
In The Bleachers
Brevity
Adam Dailies
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KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS / JANUARY 1, 2026
• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES •
305.743.0844
LEGAL NOTICES
LEGAL NOTICES
LEGAL NOTICES
LEGAL NOTICES
LEGAL NOTICES
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LEGAL NOTICES
NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE Pursuant F.S. 328.17, United American Lien & Recovery as agent w/ power of attorney will sell the following vessel(s) to the highest bidder. Inspect 1 week prior @ marina; cash or cashier check; all auctions are held w/ reserve; any persons interested ph 954-563-1999 Sale Date January 16, 2026 @ 10:00 am 3411 NW 9th Ave #707 Ft Lauderdale FL 33309 V13261 1969 Hat FL0299NF Hull ID#: DO515826 inboard pleasure diesel fiberglass 38ft R/O Anthony Michael & Monic Echevarria Manguart Lienor: Marina Key LLC 99701 Overseas Hwy Key Largo Publish: December 25, 2025 & January 1, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers
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
Administrator's Office, by phoning (305) 292-4441, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., no later than five (5) calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call “711”. NOTICE: It shall be the responsibility of each Respondent or other person addressing the Board to have an interpreter if the party is not able to understand or speak the English language. Rick Griffin, Building Official/ Board Secretary Jamie Gross, Senior Contractor Licensing Coordinator – CEB Board Monroe County Building Department Publish: January 1, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers
PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE MONROE COUNTY CONTRACTORS EXAMINING BOARD MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA Notice is Hereby Given To Whom it may concern, that on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 the Monroe County Contractors Examining Board (CEB) will hold a scheduled meeting at the Marathon Government Center, 2798 Overseas Highway, Second Floor, BOCC Room, Marathon, Florida scheduled to commence at 9:30 A.M. This meeting is to hear the following: any person(s) to come before the board; any reports from Monroe County Assistant Attorney; any reports from Monroe County Building Official; any reports from Staff. The Monroe County Contractors Examining Board (“CEB”) will review Certificate of Competency Trade applications and the Industry Input Section. All public participation in this meeting may be conducted via Communication Media Technology (“CMT”) using Zoom Webinar platform, during the scheduled meeting. Meeting Agenda and Zoom Webinar information is available 7 days prior to meeting date on the Monroe County Web Calendar and the Contractors Examining Board webpage: www. monroecounty-fl.gov PURSUANT TO FLORIDA STATUTE SECTION 286.0105, be advised that, if a person decides to appeal the decision made by the Contractors’ Examining Board with respect to any matter considered at today’s hearing, that person will need a record of the proceedings, and that, for such purpose, he or she may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. ADA ASSISTANCE: If you are a person with a disability who needs special recommendations in order to participate in this proceeding, please contact the County
NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS ADVERTISMENT FOR BIDS BID NO: FWC 25/26-34C BID NAME: Sandy Sprunt Day Use Area Project PROJECT LOCATION: Monroe, FLORIDA The intent of this Invitation to Bid (ITB) is to obtain competitive pricing the construction of five crushed rock parking spaces and one ADA compliant parking space. A day use pavilion, information kiosk, asphalt driveway connection, and concrete sidewalk per plans and specifications in accordance with the documents and Chapter 255 of the Florida Statutes. To review the bid details for FWC 25/26-34C Visit https://vendor. myfloridamarketplace.com/ search/bids to view a list of FWC’s formal solicitations and agency decisions. Choose the FWC 25/26-34C solicitation link to view the advertisement details. From the Advertisement Details page, you can download the PDF bid file for your reference. NOTE: The Vendor Information Portal (link provided above) is the posting location for all new and changing information regarding this solicitation. Interested bidders should continue to monitor this site for the entirety of the solicitation process. DIRECT ALL QUESTIONS TO THE PROCUREMENT MANAGER: Elbert Orellana, Procurement Manager Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission Tallahassee Purchasing Office 1875 Orange Avenue East Tallahassee, Florida 323116160 Phone: (850) 617-9658 Email: Elbert.Orellana@myfwc. com Publish: January 1, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers
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 25, 2025. Personal Representative: David Christian Rasmussen 116 Thurston Place Crestview, Florida 32536 Attorney for Personal Representative: Richard E. Warner Attorney Florida Bar Number: 283134 RICHARD E. WARNER, P.A. 12221 Overseas Highway MARATHON, FL 33050 Telephone: (305) 743-6022 Fax: (305) 743-6216 E-mail: richard@rewarnerlaw. com Secondary E-Mail: pamela2@ rewarnerlaw.com Publish: December 25, 2025 and January 1, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers
PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES, ADMINISTRATORS OR AS OTHER CLAIMANTS, BY, THROUGH, UNDER OR AGAINST DIANE CHRISTINE FAY, DECEASED; AND ANY AND ALL UNKNOWN PARTIES WHO CLAIM AN INTEREST AS SPOUSE, HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES, PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES, ADMINISTRATORS OR AS OTHER CLAIMANTS, BY, THROUGH, UNDER OR AGAINST CATHERINE BARRY, DECEASED: AND THERESA KASLING, AS POTENTIAL HEIR TO CATHERINE BARRY Defendant And the Docket Number of which is Number 2024-CA61-K WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 25TH day of November 2025 KEVIN MADOK Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Shonta McLeod Deputy Clerk Florida Statute 45.031: Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the Lis Pendens must file a claim within 60 days after the sale. Publish: January 1 & 8, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers
And the Docket Number of which is Number 2024-CA61-K WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 25TH day of November 2025 KEVIN MADOK Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Shonta McLeod Deputy Clerk Florida Statute 45.031: Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the Lis Pendens must file a claim within 60 days after the sale. Publish: January 1 & 8, 2026 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
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION CASE NO.: 25-CP-538-K IN RE: THE ESTATE OF ALTHEA L. MAUST, Deceased. NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of ALTHEA L. MAUST, deceased, whose date of death was July 22, 2025, Case: 25-CP-538-K, is pending in the Circuit Court, 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, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, on whom a copy of this notice is served must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE 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, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. The date of first publication of this Notice is: December 25, 2025. Personal Representative: BRANDIE JEAN ADAMSON c/o Samuel J. Kaufman, Esq. Law Offices of Samuel J. Kaufman, P.A. 3130 Northside Drive Key West, Florida 33040 Attorney for Personal Representative: Samuel J. Kaufman, Esq. Florida Bar No. 0144304 Law Offices of Samuel J. Kaufman, P.A. 3130 Northside Drive Key West, Florida 33040 Email designation for service: Service.Probate@ samkaufmanlaw.com Telephone: (305) 292-3926 Fax: (305) 295-7947 Publish: December 25, 2025 and January 1, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers
The following is an upcoming GMX procurement opportunity:
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ) GMX PROCUREMENT/CONTRACT NO.: RFQ2603 GMX WORK PROGRAM NO.: 83635000.011
GMX PROJECT/SERVICE TITLE: PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENT (PD&E) STUDY FOR SR 836/DOLPHIN EXPRESSWAY FROM WEST OF SR 826/PALMETTO EXPRESSWAY TO EAST OF SR 953/ LE JEUNE ROAD For detailed information please visit the Procurement Department website at http://www.gmx-way.com/business/solicitations, or call the Procurement Department at 305-637-3277 for assistance. Publish: January 1, 2026. The Weekly Newspapers
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 25-CP-560-K DIVISION: LOWER KEYS IN RE: ESTATE OF CARLTON COLEMAN SPAIN Deceased. NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of Carlton Coleman Spain, deceased, whose date of death was November 11, 2025, is pending in the Circuit Court for MONROE County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, Florida 33040. The names and addresses of the 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.
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2024-CA-61-K NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE BY CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT Notice is hereby given that the undersigned, Kevin Madok, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Monroe County, Florida, will, on the 20TH day of January 2026 at 11 o’clock a.m., at 500 Whitehead Street, Monroe County, in the City of Key West, Florida, offer for sale and sell at public outcry to the highest and best bidder for CASH the Following described property situated in Monroe County, Florida, to wit: Unit E24, Week 40, Beach House, a Condominium according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof recorded in Official Records Book 1510, Page 225, Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and all exhibits attached thereto, and any amendments thereof (the “Declaration”). Pursuant to IN REM SUMMARY FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE AS TO COUNT(S) I entered in a case pending in said Court, the 14TH day of November 2025 Style of which is: BEACH HOUSE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION OF KEY WEST, INC., A NONPROFIT CORPORATION UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA Plaintiff vs. ANY AND ALL UNKNOWN PARTIES WHO CLAIM AN INTEREST AS SPOUSE, HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES,
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2024-CA-61-K NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE BY CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT Notice is hereby given that the undersigned, Kevin Madok, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Monroe County, Florida, will, on the 20TH day of January 2026 at 11 o’clock a.m., at 500 Whitehead Street, Monroe County, in the City of Key West, Florida, offer for sale and sell at public outcry to the highest and best bidder for CASH the Following described property situated in Monroe County, Florida, to wit: Unit A13, Week 12, Beach House, a Condominium according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof recorded in Official Records Book 1510, Page 225, Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and all exhibits attached thereto, and any amendments thereof (the “Declaration”). Pursuant to IN REM SUMMARY FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE AS TO COUNT(S) VII entered in a case pending in said Court, the 14TH day of November 2025 Style of which is: BEACH HOUSE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION OF KEY WEST, INC., A NONPROFIT CORPORATION UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA Plaintiff vs. ANY AND ALL UNKNOWN PARTIES WHO CLAIM AN INTEREST AS SPOUSE, HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES, PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES, ADMINISTRATORS OR AS OTHER CLAIMANTS, BY, THROUGH, UNDER OR AGAINST JAMES DARREL FOSDICK, DECEASED; CARRIE FOSDICK, AS POTENTIAL HEIR TO JAMES DARREL FOSDICK; ROBERT FOSDICK, AS POTENTIAL HEIR TO JAMES DARREL FOSDICK; KRISTIN FOSDICK, AS POTENTIAL HEIR TO JAMES DARREL FOSDICK; ANGELA FOSDICK, AS POTENTIAL HEIR TO JAMES DARREL FOSDICK; AND JANICE WAGY FOSDICK, AS POTENTIAL HEIR TO JAMES DARREL FOSDICK Defendant
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2024-CA-61-K NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE BY CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT Notice is hereby given that the undersigned, Kevin Madok, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Monroe County, Florida, will, on the 20TH day of January 2026 at 11 o’clock a.m., at 500 Whitehead Street, Monroe County, in the City of Key West, Florida, offer for sale and sell at public outcry to the highest and best bidder for CASH the Following described property situated in Monroe County, Florida, to wit: Unit E21, Week 4, Beach House, a Condominium according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof recorded in Official Records Book 1510, Page 225, Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and all exhibits attached thereto, and any amendments thereof (the “Declaration”). Pursuant to IN REM SUMMARY FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE AS TO COUNT(S) III entered in a case pending in said Court, the 14TH day of November 2025 Style of which is: BEACH HOUSE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION OF KEY WEST, INC., A NONPROFIT CORPORATION UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA Plaintiff vs. ANY AND ALL UNKNOWN PARTIES WHO CLAIM AN INTEREST AS SPOUSE, HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES, PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES, ADMINISTRATORS OR AS OTHER CLAIMANTS, BY, THROUGH, UNDER OR AGAINST MELBA TROUTMAN MC GUIRE, DECEASED; AND MICHAEL POOL, AS POTENTIAL HEIR TO MELBA TROUTMAN MC GUIRE Defendant And the Docket Number of which is Number 2024-CA61-K WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 25TH day of November 2025 KEVIN MADOK Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Shonta McLeod Deputy Clerk Florida Statute 45.031: Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the Lis Pendens must file a claim within 60 days after the sale. Publish: January 1 & 8, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers
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JANUARY 1, 2026 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS
• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES •
305.743.0844
LEGAL NOTICES
BOAT SLIP FOR RENT
EMPLOYMENT
HOUSING FOR RENT
VACATION RENTAL
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2024-CA-61-K NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE BY CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT Notice is hereby given that the undersigned, Kevin Madok, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Monroe County, Florida, will, on the 20TH day of January 2026 at 11 o’clock a.m., at 500 Whitehead Street, Monroe County, in the City of Key West, Florida, offer for sale and sell at public outcry to the highest and best bidder for CASH the Following described property situated in Monroe County, Florida, to wit: Unit E21, Week 3, Beach House, a Condominium according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof recorded in Official Records Book 1510, Page 225, Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and all exhibits attached thereto, and any amendments thereof (the “Declaration”). Pursuant to IN REM SUMMARY FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE AS TO COUNT(S) II entered in a case pending in said Court, the 14TH day of November 2025 Style of which is: BEACH HOUSE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION OF KEY WEST, INC., A NONPROFIT CORPORATION UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA Plaintiff vs. ANY AND ALL UNKNOWN PARTIES WHO CLAIM AN INTEREST AS SPOUSE, HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES, PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES, ADMINISTRATORS OR AS OTHER CLAIMANTS, BY, THROUGH, UNDER OR AGAINST MELBA TROUTMAN MC GUIRE, DECEASED AND MICHAEL POOL, AS POTENTIAL HEIR TO MELBA TROUTMAN MC GUIRE Defendant And the Docket Number of which is Number 2024-CA61-K WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 25TH day of November 2025 KEVIN MADOK Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Shonta McLeod Deputy Clerk Florida Statute 45.031: Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the Lis Pendens must file a claim within 60 days after the sale. Publish: January 1 & 8, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers
Dockage up to 60’ Islamorada - Bayside, 50 amp service. Call 860-982-4517
The Housing Authority of the City of Key West now hiring the following positions: Grounds Caretaker, 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.
2 Bedroom - All new AND - Studio Furnished in Marathon. On the water, gated property. Section 8 possible. $1,300 - $2,000 month. Call 305-610-8002
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 $214/night. Sweet CarolineSeaport.com
AUTOS WANTED
AUTOS ALL YEARS! Junk or Used Cars, Vans, Trucks. Runs or Not.$CASH 305-332-0483 BOAT MISC. FOR SALE
Two 425 XTO Yamaha outboard motors for sale. Low hours, excellent condition, professionally maintained. $25,000 for both. Located in Marathon. Call for details 305-747-4227
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@ keysweek ly.com EMPLOYMENT
Fullers Insurance is looking for a Customer Service Rep. or Agent. Hours are 8-5 Mon-Fri. Paid holidays and health insurance. Apply in person at 1432 Kennedy Dr. Key West or email resumé to norman@ fullersinsurance.com. Boat rental company in Marathon looking for help with boat detailing & boat cleaning. Call 305-481-7006 Now Hiring in Key West: Vacation Sales Coordinators. Up to $2,000 Sign-On Bonus. Please contact Brea.Rollins-Simms@ vacationclub.com for more information!
NIGHT MONITOR FREE 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/ POSITION FILLED!
YARD SALES
PLACE YOUR YARD SALE AD HERE. $25/week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305-743-0844 or Email Anneke@ keysweek ly.com
RV LOT FOR SALE
Experienced Fulltime 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 404-219-3359 and ask for Dave. Serve/Bartend on the ocean! The Cabana Club, an ocean front private swim club is seeking a customer serviceoriented Server/ Bartender. Serve on pool deck, beach and/or bar lounge. Open year round, 9:30am-7pm 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 404-219-3359 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@ keysweek ly.com HOBBIES/COLLECT.
P R I V A T E C O L L E C T O R WANTS Rolex, Dive Watches and Pilot Watches. Old Model Military Clocks & Watches. Call 305-743-4578
Vacation Inn Resort, WPB. Gated, 5-Star, Luxury RV Resort in prestigious Palm Beach County on the Gold Coast of S. Florida! $129.5k Call 561844-8974 for photos & information!
Burton Memorial United Methodist Church
HIRING CHURCH SECRETARY This position is ideal for someone who enjoys serving others, maintains strong attention to detail, and can manage a variety of administrative tasks with professionalism and grace. - Strong communication & interpersonal skills - Ability to multitask and prioritize tasks independently - Proficiency with basic office software (Word, Excel, Email) - Prior office or administrative experience preferred - Handling confidential information with integrity Part-time, 3-4 days per week, $20 per hour If you feel called to serve in this role, please contact burtonchurchpersonnel@gmail.com We look forward to hearing from you!
NOW HIRING FULL TIME POSITION
BOOKKEEPING Amazing benefits available that include: Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance, Long Term/Short Term Disability, 10+ PAID Holidays PLUS Vacation & Sick Pay, 401K Plan Available, Paid Insurance Licensing/Training, Paid Continuing Education & Bonus Potential (Profit Sharing). Apply by email Jennifer.Roth@ReganRoth.com Regan Roth Insurance, 90144 Overseas Highway, Tavernier.
Family-owned business that will treat you like family!
DUI FRONT DESK CLERK & EVALUATOR/INSTRUCTOR
CROSSWORD SOLUTION
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 field required. Office located in Marathon. Contact Marcia at 305-704-0117.
SUDOKU SOLUTION
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
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KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS / JANUARY 1, 2026
• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES 305.743.0844 • CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES • •305.743.0844
We’re HIRING!
Apply Online at KeysBank.com/Careers
KEY WEST Controller Full Time Teller Customer Service Representative
WE ARE HIRING FULL-TIME & PART-TIME
BARTENDERS, SERVERS COOKS & BUSSERS Open call, walk in interviews, Monday, Jan 5th, 10AM-3PM Apply in person at: BAR VICTOR 97630 Overseas Highway (mm97 at Vicky Bakery) Key Largo, FL 33037 Or email Mark@vickybakery.com to schedule interview
IS HIRING IN THE UPPER KEYS
PERMIT CLERK Must have experience with Excel. We are willing to train the right candidates.
Send resume to admin@cbtconstruction.com Or call 305-852-3002
NOW HIRING IN KEY WEST
VACATION SALES COORDINATORS UP TO $2,000 SIGN-ON BONUS! Please contact Brea.Rollins-Simms@vacationclub.com for more information! Keys Energy Services, in Key West, Florida, is accepting applications for the following position in its Transmission & Distribution Department:
SUNSET GRILLE NOW HIRING BARTENDERS WAIT STAFF - HOST/HOSTESS BUS PERSONS Apply in person at
SUNSET GRILLE & RAW BAR 7 Knight’s Key Blvd, Marathon
SEE DOLPHINS PLAY EVERYDAY!
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. 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.
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! GUEST SERVICES STAFF (Full-Time, Permanent) GUEST SERVICES STAFF (Part-Time, Weekend) FACILITIES MAINTENANCE APPRENTICE (Full-Time, Permanent) DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER
is a fun, environmentally friendly non-profit 501(c)(3) organization specializing in education, research, and rescue of marine mammals. DRC provides for the well-being of its employees with a competitive package including: a 401k retirement plan, medical benefits, HSA account, paid holidays/vacation/sick days, an employee assistance program, in addition to, life and disability insurance at no cost to the employee. EOE
COME JOIN THE FAMILY!
Email your resume and a DRC application to drc-hr@dolphins.org
DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER 58901 O/S Hwy - Grassy Key, FL
15
JANUARY 1, 2026 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS
• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC && LEGAL NOTICES • • 305.743.0844 • CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC LEGAL NOTICES 305.743.0844 The Guidance/Care Center, Inc. a division of “Uplifting the human spirit since 1973”
THE GUIDANCE/CARE CENTER, Inc.
IS HIRING!
JOIN A HIGHLY EFFECTIVE 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) *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 field required. Office 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 - Multi-Modality Imaging Tech 1, (Mammo & X Ray), Radiology, $50k Bonus - Multi-Modality Imaging Tech, MRI, $50k Bonus - Medical Technologist, Laboratory, $20k Bonus - Physical Therapist, $25k Bonus - Pool Clinical Pharmacist, Per Diem - Pool Group Exercise Instructor, Per Diem - Pool Medical Technologist - Pool Registered Nurse, Cardiac Rehab - Registered Nurse, Emergency Department, $25k Bonus - Registered Nurse, Emergency Department, Per Diem - Registered Nurse, Multispecialty Acute Care Center, PT - Registered Nurse, Surgery, $15k Bonus
MARATHON FISHERMEN’S COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
- ED Team Coordinator, 7P-7A - Inventory Control Administrator, Keys/Marathon Supply Chain - MC Multi-Modality Imaging Tech 2, (MRI & X Ray), Radiology, $50k Bonus - Multi-Modality Imaging Tech 1, (CT & X Ray), Radiology, $50K Bonus - Pool Physical Therapist, Per Diem - Registered Nurse, Emergency Department, $15k Bonus - Registered Nurse, Emergency Department, Per Diem - Registered Nurse, Multispecialty Acute Care, Per Diem, 7P-7:30A - Registered Nurse, Multispecialty Acute Care, Part Time, 7P-7:30A - Registered Nurse, PACU, $15k Bonus - Registered Respiratory Therapist, PT, $12,500 Bonus - RRT 2, Respiratory Therapy, Per Diem - Security Officer, FT, 7A-7:30P - Security Officer, 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 LEARN MORE careers.baptisthealth.net
THEME: YEAR-IN-REVIEW ACROSS 1. W.E.B Du Bois’ org. 6. Rascal 9. Ho-hum 13. “Pomp and Circumstance” composer 14. Tropical constrictor 15. Forgo 16. Tequila source 17. + or - atom 18. Reason by deduction 19. *Trade war “weapon,” pl. 21. *2025 MLB World Series winners 23. ____-tzu 24. C&H crop 25. Dunce 28. Western necktie 30. Catch in a snare 35. Ginger cookie 37. Master of his castle 39. Use a razor 40. British slang for donkey 41. Arch and ball locations 43. Winglike 44. March celebrants 46. *Arthur Sze, 2025 ____ Laureate 47. Dam-like structure 48. *BeyoncÈ’s “Cowboy ____,” 2025 Grammy winner 50. King Kong and Curious George, e.g. 52. Like a fox 53. What Pinocchio did 55. *Florida Panthers won this org.’s ‘25 championship 57. *”Wicked: ____ ____” 61. *Late environmentalist and chimpanzee expert 65. German submarine destroyer 66. *2025 Ryder Cup loser 68. Manuscript sheet 69. Brazilian coins 70. Roll-your-own one, for short 71. To the left, on a boat 72. Orpheus’ instrument 73. Geological time period 74. They are cut by Federal Reserve
DOWN 1. At room temperature, bar order 2. Algae, sing. 3. Petri dish filler 4. Raise trivial objections 5. Ready to be assembled 6. Avian wader 7. Farm sound 8. China’s goodwill “____ diplomacy” 9. Collision, onomatopoeically speaking 10. *Taylor Swift’s “The ____ of a Showgirl” 11. Affirm solemnly 12. Third-person possessive pronoun 15. Makes broader 20. Why do they fall in love? 22. *Aryna Sabalenka’s seed 24. Auto contents 25. Pertaining to osmium 26. *2025 Academy Awards Best Picture winner 27. Faquir, alt.spelling 29. Pilot’s stunt 31. Spring event 32. Pneumonia symptom, pl. 33. Be of use 34. *Blue Origin’s 2025 singing passenger 36. Boll weevil, e.g. 38. *____Seek 42. Shorthand typist, for short 45. Serfs 49. 2016 Olympics host, for short 51. Ram’s horn at a synagogue 54. Draw a conclusion 56. Parkinson’s disease drug 57. Roll up 58. Heed 59. Lion sound 60. Dorothy’s last name 61. *Lady of “The Mayhem Ball” 62. Tons (2 words) 63. Lira, pl. 64. Land parcels 67. *Gary Oldman received this honorific in 2025
CONCRETE CONCRETE MADE TO LAST
MADE TO LAST Proudly serving Key West to Islamorada as the ONLY locally owned and operated concrete company in the Florida Keys.
GET IN TOUCH
Whether you’re building a large commercial building, FDOT bridge, or a customdesigned home, we have concrete mix designs for every project. Thanks to decades of experience, our team can create custom mixes with high-quality additives for specific project needs. We offer the largest variety of materials and operate the only FDOT-certified ready-mix plants in the Florida Keys.
Key West
Call us for all ready-mix concrete, block, aggregate, rebar and bagged good needs.
Monroe Concrete 155 Toppino Industrial Drive Key West, 305-296-9934 Monroe Concrete Marathon 1500 107th Street Gulf Marathon, 305-743-5800