Upper Keys Weekly 26-0402

1¢

Don’t worry, be hoppy this Easter.

April 2, 2026

POWERFUL WHEELS & PURSUITS Electric bikes cause confusion, chaos | P. 4

SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS HEAT UP Several new candidates file | P. 6 +13

RESTAURANT GIVES BACK

Big food giveaway coincides with anniversary | P. 13

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / APRIL 2, 2026

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / APRIL 2, 2026

He is risen!

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / APRIL 2, 2026

KEYS

NEWSPAPERS

89240 Overseas Hwy. Suite 2 Tavernier, FL 33070 Office: 305.363.2957 www.keysweekly.com

4,500

From the Florida Keys to France, a boundary buoy belonging to the National Marine Sanctuary trekked across the Atlantic Ocean. The Sand Key boundary buoy traveled 4,500 miles to a beach on France’s west coast. These buoys mark the boundaries of special sanctuary areas.

A recent pursuit involving an electric dirt bike in Islamorada drew the sheriff’s office to remind the public that the high powered wheels are not street-legal.

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 Controller / Lauren Pope lauren@keysweeky.com 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

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NEW WHEELS CREATE CONFUSION & CHAOS ON THE SIDEWALKS An electric dirt bike deputies confiscated following a pursuit of a Wisconsin teen in Islamorada on March 27. MCSO/Contributed

Recent chases bring fast and powerful bikes to the forefront JIM McCARTHY

jim@keysweekly.com

S

idewalks and shared paths off U.S. 1 are no longer just seeing walkers, runners and bikes pedaled by the rider.

Throughout the island chain, more motorized bikes are traveling at considerable speeds up and down the sidewalks. With e-bikes emerging in recent years, young riders are now turning to the more popular electric dirt bikes. Monroe County Sheriff’s Office deputies and school resource officers are working to educate the public while addressing the illegal off-road dirt bikes, as evidenced by a recent pursuit involving young riders on March 27.

Around 11:30 p.m., deputies were attempting to pull over two electric dirt bikes riding on the sidewalk off U.S. 1 near MM 86. The bikes had no lights and weren’t stopping for deputies.

The chase led deputies into the Indian Mound subdivision, where one of the riders ended up crashing and suffering minor injuries to his knee.

Deputies apprehended the teenager, a 17-year-old from Wisconsin, who reportedly had a blood alcohol level of .138. (For those of legal drinking age of 21, the limit is .08.) He was taken to the Plantation Key jail and charged with DUI, fleeing and eluding and resisting arrest. The electric dirt bike was confiscated for evidence.

Classified as off-road vehicles, electric dirt bikes are not eligible for registration, aren’t equipped with operable pedals and are capable of speeds of more than 28 mph.

“They’re designed to be used offroad and on trails. They’re not legal and can’t be used on the bike path, edge of the road, on the shoulder, on the highway or on side streets,” Sheriff Rick Ramsay told Keys Weekly.

“We’re trying to do everything we can to educate the public and let parents know not to buy these, as they are illegal. And people will get in trouble.

We won’t tolerate it.”

At the same time, the sheriff’s office is navigating incidents pertaining to e-bikes, which have pedals and are allowed to use sidewalks and bike paths. Despite having the ability to

reach speeds of almost 30 mph, the state classifies them as bikes — and not motor vehicles — so long as their motors are under 750 watts. An operator may ride an electric bicycle where bicycles are allowed, including streets, highways, roads, shoulders, bicycle lanes and bicycle or multiuse paths.

The state has three classifications for e-bikes. Class 1 e-bikes work when riders pedal and do not exceed 20 mph. Class 2 e-bikes do not exceed 20 mph but have a throttle to work without riders pedaling. Class 3 e-bikes have a pedal system, no throttle assist and can reach speeds of up to 28 mph.

Florida law requires manufacturers and distributors to place a permanent label on each e-bike showing its class, top assisted speed and motor wattage. Florida law also says a person may not tamper with or modify an e-bike to change its motor-powered speed capability or engagement unless the classification label is replaced to reflect that change.

Florida law does not set one single statewide minimum age for riding an ebike. However, local governments have the ability to adopt their own minimum age requirements for e-bike use.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / APRIL 2, 2026

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / APRIL 2, 2026

THERESA AXFORD LAUNCHES SCHOOL BOARD RUN

Longtime principal & former superintendent challenges Darren Horan

F

ollowing her recent retirement from a 48-year career with Monroe County Schools, where she worked as a teacher, principal and ultimately superintendent, Theresa Axford is running for the District 1 school board seat against incumbent Darren Horan.

“I want to continue working for our children. My commitment to this community remains as strong as it was when I first arrived in 1976,” Axford said in a press release formally announcing her campaign.

“In a district as unique as the Florida Keys, there is no substitute for my experience in the day-today operations of our schools,” she said. “My candidacy is rooted in the belief that to effectively oversee the education of thousands, one must understand every layer of the system. In my tenure as superintendent, we navigated the unprecedented challenges of a global pandemic while hitting major milestones. We successfully doubled our rainy-day savings to $28 million. We secured millions in state and federal funding to move forward with vital teacher housing projects on Trumbo Road and a new district headquarters on United Street. With the help of our local legislators, I have spent many hours learning how to navigate Tallahassee’s legislative sessions to secure the resources our schools deserve. On the school board, I will use that experience to ensure these initiatives are not just maintained, but completed,” Axford said.

She added her belief that students have innovative ideas and a right to be heard.

“Student voices must guide our innovation moving forward,” she said. “Our youth are the primary stakeholders in our system, and they possess unique insights into the modern classroom.”

Axford said she is running on a platform that brings students into the decision-making process regarding curriculum and instruction.

CHELYN SHAW FILES FOR SCHOOL BOARD SEAT Key Largo resident will challenge Woltanski JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

K

Theresa Axford

“Education should be a collaborative process, not a top-down mandate,” she said. “I am advocating for: formalized student advisory roles in curriculum discussions; direct feedback loops regarding the effectiveness of new instructional technologies; ensuring our delivery methods reflect the diverse needs of today’s demands.

“My goal is to blend the proven strategies that have made us a top-performing district with a forward-thinking approach that empowers our students,”Axford said. I am asking for your support to bring a lifetime of experience and a renewed focus on studentcentered leadership to the school district. Together, we can honor our history while boldly embracing the voices of our future.”

Each of the five school board members represents a district, or region, of the Florida Keys, but they are elected by all voters in Monroe County. School board members earn an annual salary of about $38,600.

— Contributed

ey Largo resident and captain Chelyn Shaw recently filed to run for Monroe County School Board District 5 seat, challenging incumbent Dr. Sue Woltanski in the upcoming election on Aug. 18 A mother of three and grandmother of seven, Shaw has called Key Largo home for 21 years, though her time in the Keys began well before she became a full-time resident. She noted her family first bought property in the Keys in 1946.

She fondly remembers diving the Spiegel when it was first sunk in 2002.

But her affinity for the water actually began in Texas. She sold her dive shop there, making the permanent move to the Keys in 2005 to start looking for the perfect boat. Meanwhile, she enjoyed teaching scuba as a local scuba instructor for a number of years until starting her charter and yacht delivery business in 2010. Shaw holds a 200-ton U.S. Coast Guard license and, preferring staying closer to home these days, she specializes in yacht and estate management.

Shaw also served on the Key Largo Volunteer Fire Department many years as a member of the water emergency team (WET), taking to the ocean to look for everything from persons, vehicles, divers and boats to even searching for weapons used in criminal cases.

She currently serves in elected roles as vice president of the Upper Keys Republican Club and Committeewoman for the Republican Executive Committee of Monroe County.

Shaw states that she is dedicated to bringing commonsense, Conservative, Christian values to steer the direction of education in our school district to benefit children, their families, educators and the Monroe County community as a whole.

“With over six years of higher education in engineering and business

Chelyn Shaw is running for the Monroe County School Board’s District 5 seat against Dr. Sue Woltanski in the upcoming election.

CONTRIBUTED

administration and successful business ownership, I bring a unique blend of technical and administrative expertise to a board that, I believe, desperately needs it,” she said.

Besides teaching the science of diving, scuba, and First Aid/CPR, Shaw also previously taught as adjunct faculty at her local university, she instructed the Boy Scouts for many seasons at Abaco High Adventure Seabase. And she currently teaches Sunday school at a prominent local church in Key Largo.

“I’ve been teaching Sunday school since my eldest daughter was 5 years old,” she said. “It is because of my love for children that I am fiercely protective of them that I will guard your parental authority and family, and ensure that Monroe County schools remain a place of learning. Because school is not a place for activism or personal agendas.

“While extra counselors and social workers may be helpful, they are not suitable replacements for parental authority and family in your children’s lives,” she continued. Shaw believes parents are the primary authority, and not elected school board members, not schools or government.

Shaw said the upcoming election for Monroe County District 5 presents a clear distinction between two “fundamentally different directions for the schools.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / APRIL 2, 2026

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / APRIL 2, 2026

SERGEANT CHARGED FOR ALLEGEDLY PROVIDING FALSE WORK TIMESHEET

M

onroe County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Eric Mixon, 53, was arrested by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office on March 26 on seven counts of official misEric Mixon. conduct for falsifying MCSO/Contributed his work timesheets.

Mixon, who was hired on Jan. 18, 1995, retired earlier this month after being interviewed during the investigation.

A comprehensive review of his work-related activity and equipment, among other evidence demonstrated Mixon — a school resource officer sergeant — claimed full workdays for a substantial number of days in which he never left his home.

“I take officer integrity and fiscal responsibility very seriously and I am committed to being transparent when both positive and negative examples arise,” said Sheriff Rick Ramsay.

— Keys Weekly staff report

GAS PRICES REMAIN HIGH AMID GLOBAL OIL VOLATILITY

F

lorida gas prices remain at their highest level in four years as the ongoing conflict with Iran continues to disrupt the global oil supply chain and send crude oil prices on a volatile ride.

AAA reports the statewide average price slipped slightly early last week before rising again through the weekend. On March 29, the state average was $3.96 per gallon. That price is $1.06 more per gallon than last month.

In the Florida Keys, prices at the pump range from $4.21 in the Upper Keys to more than $4.50 in Key West.

Oil prices remain the primary driver of higher pump prices. Since the conflict with Iran began, oil prices have surged nearly 45 percent following a series of sharp increases over the past four weeks. Last week, U.S. crude oil prices climbed to $99.14 per barrel, the highest daily settlement since July 2022 during the early stages of the Russia‑Ukraine conflict.

“Oil prices are doing most of the driving right now,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA The Auto Club Group. “About half of what drivers

pay at the pump comes down to the cost of crude oil. When oil prices spike this quickly and remain volatile, gas prices almost always follow.”

Since the conflict escalated earlier this month, Florida’s average gas price has jumped $1.07 per gallon, rising from $2.88 at the beginning of March to $3.96 per gallon on March 29. That marks the highest daily average price Florida drivers have seen since July 2022, and adds roughly $16 to the cost of filling a 15-gallon gas tank.

AAA says continued volatility in global oil markets could keep prices unstable in the days ahead.

To help manage rising fuel costs, AAA recommends drivers: • Combine errands to reduce unnecessary trips • Drive carefully and avoid aggressive acceleration • Keep vehicles properly maintained, including tire pressure and oil changes • Shop around since gas prices can vary widely by station • Visit gasprices.aaa.com to view state and local average gas prices.

— Contributed

DIRT BIKES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

‘The laws of bike paths, we could say Onewheels or little scooters aren’t allowed, but they’re not the problem. The problems are the e-bikes and dirt bikes because they’re so darn fast.’

— Sheriff Rick Ramsay

The Florida Legislature took up the issue of e-bikes during its 2026 session – but the version of Senate Bill 382 that currently awaits Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signature after passing unanimously in both the House and Senate is significantly watered down from earlier drafts.

The new law would require riders to slow to 10 mph when within 50 feet of pedestrians, and require riders to yield and signal on shared paths. It creates a Micromobility Device Safety Task Force, charged with submitting a report with further legislative recommendations to the governor, Senate and House

by October 2026, and requires law enforcement to more closely track and report crashes related to e-bikes.

While unanimously approved, it’s drawn questions of enforceability, particularly in crowded areas when violators are assessed a mere $30 noncriminal violation.

Ramsay said he hopes the Florida Legislature enacts more laws that improve safety and help law enforcement. In the meantime, riders should follow all normal traffic laws or face being fined — or worse — as one Big Pine Key teenager found out on March 4.

A deputy was making a turn onto Key Deer Boulevard from U.S. 1 at about 6:50 p.m. when two e-bikes drove through the

intersection, causing the deputy to brake to avoid a collision. The deputy attempted to stop the two riders, but they drove south.

One of the riders attempted to cut through a gravel parking lot and crashed. That driver was arrested and charged with fleeing and eluding.

“A lot of parents are buying what kids want, and we are trying to navigate it during a challenging time,” Ramsay said.

“There are very few regulations in that industry that’s opened up so fast, and the Legislature has not kept up with it. So much is happening so fast, and they don’t want to deal with it, probably because of the big industry, the big money and lobbyists working behind the scenes to not get legislation passed.”

Ramsay said officers are trying to protect young riders as well as citizens who are operating vehicles who’ve had close calls with these faster electric bikes at intersections. Ramsay said they’ve been hearing from members of the public who have concerns surrounding the overall safety of these new electric powered bikes.

“It’s a quality-of-life issue,” he said. “The laws of bike paths, we could say Onewheels or little scooters aren’t allowed, but they’re not the problem. The problems are the e-bikes and dirt bikes because they’re so darn fast.”

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / APRIL 2, 2026

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / APRIL 2, 2026

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / APRIL 2, 2026

HOSPITALS CEO TO DAVID VAN LOON SERVE AS ADVISER ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR BAPTIST HEALTH FOR JUDGE Longtime attorney SUNRISE runs for Monroe County Court Judge, Group 2

JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

D

rew Grossman, CEO for Baptist Health’s Florida Keys hospitals, will take on an additional role at a neighboring facility.

On March 23, Baptist Health leadership announced several leadership appointments to support continued growth and operations across the health system’s network. One of those appointments included Grossman, who will serve as CEO adviser for the new Baptist Health Sunrise Hospital.

Grossman will help guide the hospital’s operational framework as construction progresses on the more than $500 million facility, according to Baptist Health. Groundbreaking for Sunrise Hospital recently took place, and the facility is scheduled to open in early 2029.

Grossman will continue in his current role as CEO for Fishermen’s Community Hospital in Marathon and Mariners Hospital in Tavernier, while taking on this additional responsibility. He was hired as CEO for the two Keys hospitals on Feb. 25, 2021, following the departure of Rick Freeburg.

Glenn Waters, Baptist Health executive vice president and chief

A Drew Grossman, CEO of Baptist Health’s Mariners and Fishermen’s hospitals, will serve as CEO adviser for the new Sunrise Hospital. Grossman will maintain his position at the Keys hospitals in Tavernier and Marathon. FILE PHOTO

operating officer, said he’s confident Grossman will continue building on the strong foundation across the health system in South Florida while serving the health care needs of the communities.

The new Sunrise hospital, a seven-story, 340,000-square-foot facility located on a 26-acre parcel of land where Oakland Park Boulevard meets the Sawgrass Expressway, is expected to be open in 2029.

SHAW CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 “As educational funds for the county are allocated/ assigned on a per child basis, the school board should want for each child what best meets each child’s needs, whether a child’s education funds follow them to public, charter, private, Montessori, online, or home school,” she said.

Shaw says she is not against public school at all, though competition encourages a better product.

But she will, in fact, advocate for more competitive pay for teachers and support a merit-based “promote from within” compensation model to ensure that the best and brightest

educators can afford to make Monroe county their permanent home.

Shaw said she will provide skilled financial stewardship and lawful governance.

“On Aug. 18, you have the power to demand a true public servant.

If you want a fiscal conservative who believes in communication, transparency and parental authority, I will be a bridge between families and the district. I am your candidate,“ Shaw said.

More information is at shaw4kids.com and Facebook Chelyn Shaw for Monroe County Schools.

ttorney David Van Loon, partner at Highsmith & Van Loon P.A., recently announced his candidacy for County Court Judge, Group 2.

Van Loon has lived in Key West since 1996. He initially moved to the Keys to teach at Key West High School, where he served for four years before pursuing a legal career. He launched his practice in 2003, and has more than two decades of legal experience serving individuals, families, businesses and institutions throughout South Florida, with a primary focus on Monroe County.

Van Loon said he has deliberately balanced transactional and litigation work, developing a comprehensive understanding of the law from multiple perspectives. He has handled more than 1,000 cases across Monroe, Miami-Dade, Collier, Lee, Hendry, Palm Beach and Brevard counties.

In his transactional practice, Van Loon said, he has helped homeowners buy and sell property, drafted lease agreements, and prepared commercial and private loan documents, as well as condominium and homeowners’ association documents. He has also helped individuals form and launch businesses and has guided clients through the purchase and sale of companies. Additionally, Van Loon has represented individuals and families in immigration matters, helping them obtain lawful permanent residency and United States citizenship.

As a litigator, Van Loon has tried cases in county and circuit courts, as well as in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. He has represented clients in more than 500 county court matters and over 400 circuit court cases. At the federal level, he has represented national companies in complex, multimilliondollar litigation, including FDIC-related matters. He is also certified to appear before the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida.

Van Loon also has practiced before the Third and Sixth District Courts of Appeal, including presenting oral arguments before the Third District Court of Appeal.

David Van Loon

“Beyond private practice, I also have extensive quasi-judicial experience,” Van Loon said. “For more than a decade, I have served as special magistrate for the Monroe County Value Adjustment Board, presiding over exemption-related hearings. Over the past year, I have also served as a traffic magistrate for county court civil traffic infractions. I also have been appointed by the court on several occasions to serve as magistrate in real estate disputes, overseeing and managing property pending sale,” he said.

Van Loon has demonstrated involvement in both the legal community and the broader community. His service includes: • Member of the Judicial Nominating Committee.

• Chair of the 16th Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee for The Florida Bar. • Recipient of the Florida Bar Pro Bono Service Award (2014).

• Past president of the Rotary Club of Key West and an active member for 18 years.

• Youth and high school sports coach in the community for nearly 27 years.

“With extensive courtroom experience, meaningful quasi-judicial service and deep community roots, I am committed to bringing fairness, integrity, and respect for the rule of law to the Monroe County Court bench,” Van Loon said.

Van Loon is currently running against Kevin McCarthy for the Group 2 County Judge seat.

As of the 2024-2025 Florida budget cycle, Florida County Court judges earn an annual salary of about $186,034, according to the Florida Bar. More information is available from Van Loon at 305-697-8404 or dvlforjudge@gmail.com.

— Contributed

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / APRIL 2, 2026

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / APRIL 2, 2026

LUIS GONZALEZ ENTERS SCHOOL BOARD RACE Former Marathon mayor files to succeed John Dick ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

ITALIAN FOOD COMPANY EXPRESS CELEBRATES 3 YEARS WITH A GREAT GIVEAWAY

A

familiar face from the Marathon City Council dais will look to earn retiring Monroe County School Board chair John Dick’s seat this fall. On March 25, former Marathon mayor and two-term councilman Luis Gonzalez Sr. officially announced his candidacy for the District 4 seat, representing the majority of Marathon all the way up through Plantation Key and the west end of Tavernier.

“I’ve never not been involved with the school system,” he told the Weekly by phone on March 31 when asked what spurred his decision. “I’m a lifer.”

A 1985 graduate of Key West High School, Gonzalez joined the MCSD staff in 1989, working at first as a teacher’s aide before transitioning into the English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and Exceptional Student Education (ESE) programs at Stanley Switlik Elementary. He later shifted to front office administrative roles before departing in 2000.

“I left full-time employment, but then I could say that I pretty much became a full-time volunteer,” he said.

“We had kids in the system, I was part of PTOs, SACs and one of the founding members of the Booster Club (in Marathon). I feel like I spent my entire life either as a student, a worker or a volunteer, so this was the natural next step if I want to continue serving.”

A former co-owner of Gonzalez Brothers Landscaping, he earned his two city council terms by finishing with the highest vote totals in both the 2018 and 2021 Marathon elections. In June 2025, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed him to the board of directors for the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority – a position he says he’ll maintain throughout his potential school board service. Today, he owns and operates Cuban breakfast and lunch eatery LJ’s Cafe in Marathon with his family.

He said that while the Keys have evolved and changed since his days as a student, his time spent in Key West and deep understanding of the way the small Florida Keys community ral-

Luis Gonzalez, left, files his paperwork with Supervisor of Elections Sherri Hodies to run for the Monroe County School Board’s District 4 seat. CONTRIBUTED

lies around student events would enable him to serve effectively from Key Largo to the Southernmost City.

“Whether it’s a band event, a sporting event, theatrical event, whatever the case may be, these communities come together for these kids,” he said.

Giving a nod to the Keys’ A-rated district, Gonzalez said his priorities include increasing teacher salaries for advantages in recruiting, while controlling any expenses “that aren’t going directly into the classroom. …

Things that we want, but we really don’t need.”

Citing the district’s upcoming Trumbo Point school employee housing as a major milestone for Lower Keys teachers, he told the Weekly he’d support “wherever we have an opportunity to get (more) of that housing in the ground.”

Gonzalez’s family members have maintained their own close ties to Keys schools; his sons Luis Jr. and Joey are educators at Marathon High, while his two daughters-in-law Stacie and Ryana both work at Switlik.

At press time, Gonzalez is the only declared candidate for the District 4 seat. While school board members must live in the districts they represent, they are elected by voters Keyswide.

School board members earn an annual salary of roughly $38,600.

Italian Food Company Express celebrates three years by giving away pizza, strombolis and chicken wings to the community on March 25.

CONTRIBUTED

I

talian Food Company Express celebrated its three-year anniversary in Tavernier on March 25 with a food giveaway and the debut of an expanded menu.

Owners Tony and Isis Wright created the new menu to honor the spot’s history as Chad’s Deli. They added more soups, salads, sandwiches and baskets, along with their well-known Italian dishes.

The event drew a large crowd, with lines stretching across the parking lot. Guests enjoyed a live broadcast from Florida Keys Media and Thunder Country, along with live music from the restaurant’s Italian DJ.

Altogether, the team served more than 220 pizzas, over 100 strombolis, and more than 500 wings.

“For us, this is personal,” the Wrights said. “We’ve built this with our family and our team, and the Keys community has embraced it every step of the way. This was simply our way of giving that love back.”

As Italian Food Company Express looks ahead, the expanded menu and focus on quality ingredients reflect its evolving role as both a quick daytime stop and a relaxed neighborhood gathering place.

— Keys Weekly staff report

14

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / APRIL 2, 2026

Florida Keys

SPONSORED BY

FISH REPORT

Anglers were out targeting tarpon, bonefish, speckled sea trout and redfish. CONTRIBUTED

TARGETING MIGRATING GIANTS Anglers have one goal in mind: Tarpon on fly

M

ost anglers come to town this time of year with one goal: a tarpon on fly.

Most charters for the next few months will be targeting these migrating giants as they move throughout the Florida Keys. Watching a fish as long as you are tall eat feathers on a hook never gets old.

I’ve had a number of anglers feed and fight large tarpon on fly this past week. Getting the fly to the fish in the wind requires true skill with a fly rod.

We’re seeing explosive runs and jumps as fish are enjoying the stable water temperatures. One angler even exclaimed, “It feels like there is a car on the other end!”

RICH HASTINGS specializes in sight fishing, targeting inshore sport fish with fly or spinning tackle, in the Florida Keys.

When taking breaks from tarpon this week, we had success landing bonefish and redfish. We were able to fool some speckled sea trout and redfish with artificial lures.

Sight fishing large schools moving together on low tides.

Bonefish have been plentiful but a tougher target to fool. We started to see larger numbers of fish start to tail in the evenings. Recently, we watched a school of small banana-sized bonefish do headstands as if they were learning how to tail for the first time. It was an amazing sight.

FISH FACT Tarpon are powerful, explosive and acrobatic fighters. Tarpon also have great stamina, making them one of Florida’s most challenging and exciting nearshore sportfish.

FISH TIP Counter the tarpon’s run by using the backbone of the rod to pull low and hard in the opposite direction the fish is swimming and use short turns of the reel to bring the line in.

15

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / APRIL 2, 2026

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / APRIL 2, 2026

ISLAND FEST MAKES HUGE

Splash Event features races, fish dip and sand castle contests and more

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ounders Park beach saw two days of food, entertainment and all sorts of island fun on March 28-29. The Islamorada Chamber of Commerce’s 34th annual Island Fest brought a variety of activities, with Saturday featuring a sand castle-making competition, as well as the famous “What Floats Your Boat” race for contestants of all ages and “What Floaties Your Boat” race for youths on the water.

Sunday featured a smoked fish dip contest and live entertainment. Attendees also enjoyed a variety of arts and crafts vendors, the Keys Kids Business fair and the All-American Road Vintage Cruisers car show.

— Keys Weekly staff report

Island Fest brought two days of food, live entertainment and a variety of activities, including water races, sand castle competition and fish dip contest.

Photos by Doug Finger and Jackson Garcia Full gallery at keysweekly.com.

17

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / APRIL 2, 2026

Barbara Overton

Spotlighting the people who go above and beyond Barbara Overton JILL MIRANDA BAKER www.keysweekly.com

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o matter how many individuals appear in the pages of each edition of Keys Weekly, there are always so many more of our community members who deserve to be recognized. In an effort to shine a spotlight on more of the incredible individuals who live and work in these islands, Keys Weekly is proud to spotlight our Neighbor of the Week feature, dedicated to celebrating a community member with each issue.

Our neighbor of the week is Barbara Overton, who lives in Tavernier with her husband Bob Murray. A mostly-retired corporate attorney, she spent years as in-house counsel for Marriott Vacations Worldwide. Since moving to the Keys five years ago, she has become active with a variety of organizations. She is president of the League of Women Voters of the Upper Keys, vice president of the Friends of Pennekamp and Johnson state parks, the mission chair at Coral Isles Church, a member of Upper Keys Business & Professional Women and a volunteer with REEF - Reef Environmental Education Foundation.

How long have you lived in the Keys? Full-time for five years and a homeowner for nearly 25 years.

What drew you to the Keys? My husband. We were living and working in Coral Gables/Miami and started coming down periodically. Once I moved, I fell in love with the community and wanted to be a part of it.

Weirdest experience you’ve had in the Keys? There are many choices but I think it is watching a crocodile return annually to lay its eggs in the pond on our property. She’s a seasonal resident just like the snowbirds.

What do/did you enjoy most about your work? I loved when I could

work across divisions bringing groups together to collaborate on solutions.

Someone once described me as “a solution waiting for a problem to be answered.”

What led you to be such an active volunteer? Working with so many different people in the community is wonderful. People are so engaged and it is more of bringing people and groups together to better accomplish our complementary goals.

If you could have dinner with anyone, who would it be? Ruth Bader Ginsberg. The number of obstacles she endured to achieve everything she did is so inspiring. She wasn’t just a lawyer; she had a great love for family and was so supportive of other women trying to succeed. And we both attended Harvard Law School.

If you had a superpower, what would it be? I’d like to have super vision. There are so many cool things to see in our world.

Favorite Food? Spaghetti Bolognese.

Favorite book? “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood.

What are your hobbies? I’m an avid birder. I accepted a challenge on a Facebook page for birders to look for a different bird species daily and create a unique list. So far, I’m at 90 consecutive days with my goal being 120 species.

Is there a skill/talent you want to master? Watercolor. Recently, I started going to the library for the Creative Monday classes. I’m excited to paint subjects we see here in the Keys because the colors are so beautiful.

What are you most proud of as you look back on your life this far?

Personally, I am proud of my children, that they are married, healthy and happy. Professionally, it is when my company went through a myriad of changes. I was able to protect my direct employees and support them as we maneuvered the changes. While companies change, it’s the people who make them work.

Do you have any regrets? Not moving to the Keys sooner.

18

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / APRIL 2, 2026

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Marathon City Hall 9805 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL Sign-up by calling 305-676-3923 or email DOHMonroe@FLHealth.gov

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / APRIL 2, 2026

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20

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / APRIL 2, 2026

NATIVE PLANTS IN THE PARK

County completes path project in Key Largo

Divers use double hose regulators. CONTRIBUTED

A special feature of the park is the butterfly garden, which serves as a habitat for pollinators and a peaceful space for visitors. CONTRIBUTED

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onroe County Parks and Beaches announced the recent completion of the Native Plant Pathway at the 14-acre Key Largo Community Park.

The path winds through the park’s landscape, guiding visitors along a mapped route featuring 24 native plant species. Interactive signs provide information about the plants and their roles in supporting local wildlife and the natural ecosystem.

The project began in 2015 through the dedication of Florida master gardener volunteers, in partnership with UF/IFAS Extension Monroe County.

“This is a great example of what can be accomplished through community partnerships that we also hope to bring to other county parks,” said John Allen, Parks and Beaches director. “This project enhances the park experience and helps educate the public on the importance of native plants in our local ecosystem.”

Residents and visitors are encouraged to stroll along the path, enjoy the butterfly garden and take advantage of the park’s many amenities, including a fitness course, playground, tennis and pickleball courts,

DIVE DAY SHOWCASES VINTAGE GEAR

A map of the plant path at Key Largo park.

Residents and visitors can stroll through the park and see everything from Cocoplum and Locustberry to Jamaican dogwood and Geiger tree, among other natives. The project began more than 10 years with help from master gardener in volunteers in partnership with UF/IFAS Extension Monroe County.

soccer and baseball fields, volleyball and basketball courts, handball courts, disc golf course, a skate park and Jacobs Aquatic Center.

The park is open year-round from sunrise to 9:30 p.m.

More information is at sfyl.ifas. ufl.edu/monroe/.

— Contributed

T

hose who wish to see diving equipment like that used by Lloyd Bridges or Zale Perry, the late actors from “Sea Hunt,” or famed underwater explorer Jacques Cousteau, may do so at the 2026 Vintage Dive Day on Saturday, April 11, at Key Largo’s MarineLab Undersea Park.

Organized by the History of Diving Museum and the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI), participants can gear up in a classic double-hose regulator and tour the MarineLab lagoon, located at 51 Shoreland Dr. in Key Largo.

At noon, demonstrations using the classic U.S. Navy Mark V helmet and suit are scheduled. Attendees can see what diving looked like in the early 20th century, as Trident Surface Supplied Diving LLC gears divers up in authentic World War II-era equipment weighing as much as 200 pounds.

Brass Hat Divers will demonstrate an open-bottom “Divinhood” made by the Miller-Dunn Company. These helmets were manufactured in Miami from 1915 through the 1940s and were used for early marine biology, ship husbandry, treasure hunting and underwater photography, allowing divers to explore Florida Keys coral reefs.

Demonstrations using the classic U.S. Navy Mark V helmet and suit are scheduled for noon on Saturday, April 11 for Vintage Dive Day at Keys MarineLab.

Vintage dives will take place every hour from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with the exception of noon, when demonstrations with hard hat diving gear are scheduled.

The cost to dive with vintage gear is $50 per person and divers must be scuba-certified.

Dives may be reserved at divingmuseum.org. Other attendees are encouraged to give a $10 donation to help support the event. Representatives from the museum will be on-site for the day to share Dive Into Art: Stories from the Sea programming and information on upcoming museum events.

— Contributed

21

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / APRIL 2, 2026

INTRODUCTORY SPECIAL: SCAN TO GET STARTED FOCUS PRECISION BREATH FLOW

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Locations at Ocean Reef & Tavernier

305.453.0801 | www.PilatesinParadise.net Plantation Key School students show off letters they wrote to Marines. CONTRIBUTED

PKS STUDENTS PEN LETTERS TO PAST GRADS WHO ARE NOW MARINES

I

n celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, Plantation Key School honored Literacy Week.

Students put their reading and writing skills into action by crafting thoughtful, heartfelt letters to alumni and current Marines — Noah and Andrew Hane, who once walked the halls of PKS themselves.

Through this connection, students were able to write to individuals who share the same roots, making the experience more personal and meaningful. As PKS alumni, Noah and Andrew represent the lasting effect of the school com-

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munity and the values of service, dedication and pride that continue beyond the classroom.

Each letter was filled with encouragement, appreciation and patriotism — reminding our service members that their dedication does not go unnoticed. These messages will be shared with active duty Marines currently serving our country.

PKS says it is proud of the students for using their voices to make a difference and for honoring the legacy of those who came before them.

— Contributed

Alex (H&R Block Key Largo) with Alexandra (UPS Key Largo)

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / APRIL 2, 2026

LIFE UNDER THE WAVES

ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

New subsea habitat will deploy in Florida Keys waters next month

A metal frame protects the steel-and-acrylic main structure of Vanguard, designed to support divers at depths up to 150 feet. DEEP/Contributed

T

his summer, the Florida Keys will play host to the first new subsea human habitat in four decades.

In late April, UK-based ocean engineering company Deep is set to deploy Vanguard, a pilot habitat designed to accommodate a crew of four aquanauts on sustained missions of a week or longer. After receiving its final permits from the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary earlier this month, it’s set to be installed at Tennessee Reef Research Only Area, a closed conservation zone south of Long Key, touching down in a sandy patch at a depth of 59 feet with the living quarters stationed at 46 feet.

The large yellow pill-shaped tank is a 40-foot-long steel structure with acrylic windows, split between living quarters, work space and a “wet porch” for crew to enter and exit the water – complete with an open downwardfacing hatch known as the “moon pool.”

Once the habitat reaches the seafloor, the hatch can remain open as long as the pressure within the capsule mirrors or exceeds the ambient water pressure. That means longer bottom times and repeat dives for researchers, who won’t have to go through the process of depressurization and risk of decompression sickness (the bends) while surfacing after each swim.

“If there’s coral research or restoration that requires a significant amount of bottom time, this is how you do it,” said Deep chief technology officer Norman Smith at an unveiling event in Miami in October 2025. “Instead of minutes, you get hours and days.”

The extended bottom time has applications for ocean research, monitoring, wind farm maintenance and pipeline and cable inspection, among others.

Fresh air and water for the habitat come from a surface support buoy, which pipes both down to Vanguard while hosting a diesel generator, a Starlink internet connection and a wastewater tank. The company claims it can withstand hurricane conditions, and that the

capsule can store enough air, power and water to sustain a crew for up to 72 hours without support.

A shoreside base in Marathon, known as Deep Station Florida, supports Vanguard in case of an evacuation, trains divers and houses emergency hyperbaric equipment.

“We have a mission to make humans aquatic, and we want to see a permanent human presence in the ocean starting in 2027, but largely by 2030,” said Kirk Krack, the company’s human diver performance lead.

And with underwater tragedies making headlines in recent years, the company says it aims to be the first subsea habitat certified

by Det Norske Veritas, a global organization that lays out stringent safety and engineering benchmarks for marine structures.

If successful, Vanguard will join just a handful of subsea habitats created since Jacques Cousteau’s Conshelf 1, deployed in Marseilles, France in 1962. But it would be the second

underwater lab in the Keys – FIU’s Aquarius Reef Base off Key Largo has operated 62 feet below the surface since its refurbishment and redeployment in 1992.

Deep leaders hope Vanguard is a stepping stone to a flagship “Sentinel” system, a larger modular habitat with a service life of 20 years that can allow larger crews to stay at depths up to 650 feet for nearly a month.

The new habitat’s deployment is set to take place just under three years after Navy veteran Joseph Dituri’s record-setting underwater residence in Key Largo. Emerging on June 9, 2023 from the Jules Verne Undersea Lodge after 100 days beneath the waves, he set a world record for living underwater without depressurization. During his stay 30 feet down, he submitted to dozens of tests meant to measure the effects of a prolonged high-pressure environment, giving crucial insight for the world of hyperbaric medicine.

The living quarters of Vanguard will serve as home for up to four divers during week-long missions.

23

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / APRIL 2, 2026

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / APRIL 2, 2026

KEY LARGO RESIDENTS ATTEND ‘UNSPOKEN BOND’ PREMIERE ELLIE

M

Local residents attend the premiere of ‘Unspoken Bond’ on March 16. The film features Pawsitive Beginnings Inc. and founder Nicole Navarro. CONTRIBUTED

S

everal familiar faces from Key Largo stepped onto the red carpet March 16 for the world premiere of “Unspoken Bond,” a documentary that explores the relationships between humans and animals.

Created by Wellington philanthropist Jackie Ducci and directed by Don Hardy, known for the Disney+ series “Pick of the Litter,” the film weaves together three stories. Each highlights a journey shaped by an unexpected connection with animals, and the ways those relationships can influence healing, purpose and transformation.

Among the stories is that of Key Largo resident Nicole Navarro, founder of Pawsitive Beginnings, a fox sanctuary dedicated to rescuing animals from the fur and exotic pet trades. Navarro’s segment offers a look at how her work with rescued foxes has not only provided a lifechanging, and possibly life-saving mission for her, but also for the animals, and has also created a space where people can process trauma, find connection and begin to heal.

Her story reflects a theme throughout the film, that the bond

ama Ellie is about 2 years old, weighs 52 pounds and may be a Labrador mix. She is truly a gentle soul. Mama Ellie came to us with nine puppies and showed what an amazing mom she is — always making sure her babies were fed first, even before herself. Now that her puppies are growing up, Mama Ellie is ready for a new chapter and a forever home of her own. She does great with other dogs and loves people of all ages, from small to tall. Sweet, calm and full of love, Mama Ellie would make a wonderful companion for a lucky family. Call MarrVelous at 305‑453‑1315.

SAVE THE DATE between humans and animals often transcends companionship. In many cases, it becomes a catalyst for personal growth, resilience and even survival.

Also appearing in Navarro’s segment are Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Nelson Sanchez and his wife, Rosie Sanchez. They share their perspective on Navarro’s journey, having witnessed it over the years. Their reflections add a personal layer to the story, illustrating how her work has affected not just those who visit the sanctuary, but also members of the community who have watched it grow.

Throughout “Unspoken Bond,” viewers are reminded that while humans often seek to rescue, rehabilitate or protect animals, the exchange can go both ways. The documentary captures how animals can offer comfort, clarity and purpose.

Following its world premiere, “Unspoken Bond” will travel to film festivals across the country, aiming to share its message with broader audiences before eventually becoming available to the general public.

— Contributed

EASTER SUNDAY • Island Community Church sunrise service at 6:45 a.m. at Whale Harbor beach. Easter service at 10 a.m. at ICC, 83400 Overseasy Highway.

• Church service at 9 a.m. at Peal Christian Church, 161 Pearl Ave., Tavernier.

• Easter brunch from 10 a.m to 3 p.m. at Sol by the Sea, located at Playa Largo Resort in Key Largo.

Book through OpenTable.

• Easter brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Baker’s Cay Resort, Key Largo ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Saturday, April 4 • Spring Fest from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Founders Park. Free admission. For ages 12 and under.

• Afro Roots Fest musical workshops from noon to 4 p.m. and live performances from 4 to 9 p.m. at Florida Keys Brewing Co. FUNDRAISERS & SOCIALS Thursday, April 2 • MarrVelous Pet Rescues’ Yappy Hour from 6 to 8 p.m. at Sharkeys, Key Largo.

• Bingo for the Birds at 6 p.m. at

Dive Bar on the Bay, 200 Florida Ave., Tavernier.

Saturday, April 4 • Florida Keys Quilters Club meeting at 10 a.m. at Key Largo Community library community room.

• Bets for Pets at 6 p.m. at 68 Silver Springs Dr., Key Largo. Event benefits MarrVelous Pet Rescues. Visit mprescues.org/bet-for-pets to learn more.

OUTDOOR ADVENTURE Friday, April 3 • Guided bird walk with the Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center at 8:30 a.m. at Green Turtle Hammock Preserve, Islamorada.

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS Saturday, April 4 • Free tire recycling for Monroe County residents from 8 a.m. to noon at Key Largo and Long Key transfer stations.

Monday, April 6 • Breast Health Awareness seminar for men and women from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Founders Park Community Center. Sign up by calling 305-676-3923 or emailing DOHMonroe@FLHealth.gov.

25

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / APRIL 2, 2026

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

EYE DOCTOR BIDS FAREWELL Dear patients and friends, After 55 years as an optometrist — and most of this century spent at Tropical Optical — l have decided that it is time for me to retire. My last day providing care will be March 31.

This decision comes with mixed feelings. Helping people with their vision has always been deeply rewarding, and many of you have become more than patients over the years. I’ve had the privilege of watching youngsters grow from elementary school to college, and l’ve shared countless conversations, stories and laughs with so many of you. Those relationships have meant a great deal to me.

At 79, the 5:30 a.m. wake-ups and the 60-mile drive each way have finally started to take their toll. I want to make this transition while I can do it thoughtfully and responsibly.

You can be confident that your care will continue uninterrupted. Mandy and the entire team at Tropical Optical will continue to provide the same TLC you have come to expect from our office. Your records, prescriptions, and ongoing needs will remain in excellent hands.

I will miss you all and wish each of you the very best. Thank you for trusting me with your eyes, your stories and your friendship for so many years.

FORMER FEDERAL PROSECUTOR TURNED JUDGED GETS ATTORNEY GENERAL’S AWARD

Dr. Rich Schugar New County Court Judge for the 17th Judicial Circuit Jeremy Franker attends the U.S. Attorney General annual awards in Washington, D.C. on March 23. He received an award for his service as prosecutor and deputy director of Joint Task Force Vulcan. CONTRIBUTED

BRIEFLY 7 Mile Bridge Run returns April 11 The 7 Mile Bridge Run, scheduled for Saturday, April 11, will cause traffic backups on U.S. 1 for about three hours as the bridge will be closed in both directions. The bridge will close at 6 a.m. All motorists should plan to be across the bridge by that time to avoid being stuck on one side or the other.

Traffic lanes will reopen at 9 a.m. but it usually takes an hour for traffic to return to normal. Please plan accordingly and be patient.

League of Women Voters hosts Monica Elliot The League of Women Voters of the Upper Keys will host Monica Elliott for a talk on “The Women Behind Everglades National Park” on April 13 from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the Key Largo library. The park celebrated its 78th anniversary in 2025. But, part of this park was preserved 31 years before and was maintained during that time by a group of women – the Florida Federation of Women’s Clubs.

This is their story. Bring your questions and a bag lunch. The league is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization. The public is invited to attend.

Downing talks Million Orchid Project Jason Downing will speak to the

Key Largo Orchid Club during a gathering on April 14 at 6 p.m. at the Key Largo Civic Club. Downing will share updates on the internationally recognized citizenscience program, the Jason Downing Million Orchid Project, with Fairchild Garden. It is now the largest orchid program in the world, with 40,000 students participating and 600,000 native orchids being replanted into the public landscapes of South Florida. Everyone is invited.

New community banking manager at First Horizon First Horizon Bank announced that David Boerger, retail market manager, senior vice president, was promoted to community banking group manager for the Florida Keys. Boerger will lead client-facing teams across the Keys with a focus on delivering locally informed advice, responsive service, and tailored solutions that reflect the region’s distinctive economy. “The Keys is a very important market for First Horizon — in which we have the majority market share — and one David knows well from his prior leadership across Miami and the Keys,” said Orlando Roche, market president-Miami-Dade County for First Horizon.

Jeremy Franker is sworn in as 17th Judicial Circuit’s newest county court judge on March 23.

New Judge Jeremy Franker with his wife, Kara, and daughter.

JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

F

ormer federal prosecutor Jeremy Franker was sworn in as the 17th Judicial Circuit’s newest county court judge on March 23.

On March 10, DeSantis announced Franker’s appointment to the Broward County bench. The husband of Kara Franker, Visit Florida Keys CEO and president, he comes to the judicial circuit from the U.S. Department of Justice where he served as deputy director of Joint Task Force Vulcan. He led a national prosecution team on foreign terrorist organizations, including Tren de Aragua and MS-13.

Franker will preside in the South Regional Courthouse in Hollywood.

“I am incredibly thankful to the governor for entrusting me with this

appointment and I look forward to serving the citizens of Broward County on the bench,” Judge Franker said.

His years of prosecution were recognized at a recent U.S. Attorney General annual awards in Washington, D.C., where he received the Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service. It’s one of the more prestigious awards bestowed by the department.

Serving with the DOJ for seven years, Franker prosecuted complex organized crime and racketeering cases.

In addition to Florida, he has tried federal cases in Alaska, St. Louis and Washington, D.C. Franker worked for seven years as a statewide prosecutor for the Florida Attorney General and started his legal career as an assistant state attorney in Miami.

26

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / APRIL 2, 2026

Life happens.

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Moving?

MUSICIANS HOLD INTERACTIVE DRUMMING WORKSHOP

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Tile Allemann and her husband Jonathan Truppman with twins, son Sonam, at left, and daughter Tashi, at right, both 1, take part in a free, interactive drumming workshop. DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly

Musician Jose Elias, center, leads a free, interactive drumming workshop called the “Power of Percussion.”

M

usician Jose Elias leads a free, interactive drumming workshop called the “Power of Percussion,” located between Blue Marlin Jewelry and Art by Pasta in Islamorada, on March 28. The workshops, led by Elias and fellow musician Gino Coca-Mir, will cul-

minate in a “Percussion for Peace” performance at this year’s 28th annual Afro Roots Fest on Saturday, April 4. There will be one last percussion workshop held on April 4 at noon with the Afro Roots Fest starting at 4 p.m. at Florida Keys Brewing Co. — Keys Weekly staff report

Musician Jose Elias talks to participants during the drum workshop.

27

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / APRIL 2, 2026

NEW CATALOG MAKES KEYS HISTORY ACCESSIBLE Expanded digital collection includes, photos, diaries & military history

T S

taff from your Monroe County Public Library recommend some of their favorites from the collec-

tion.

What: “A.I.: Artificial Intelligence” (2001) Why: Yeah, we know the title is probably inspiring either an eyeroll or panic from you, given the world we currently live in. But this film, essentially a sci-fi adaptation of “Pinocchio,” is not the uncanny animation or suspiciously inaccurate data we’ve come to associate with modern A.I. Instead, it’s a story about the human soul and the emotions that come with it. Director Steven Spielberg took over this project when his friend and fellow director Stanley Kubrick died before production, and “A.I.” has the wonder and heart associated with the former but with the cerebral philosophy of the latter.

Twenty-five years later, it still holds up as a thought-provoking and deeply moving fairy tale for adults Where: This film is available on Kanopy, the library’s streaming app.

How: You can browse and request DVDs online by logging in to your account at keyslibraries.org.

To view our collection of streaming movies and TV, go to kanopy.com/ keyslibraries and set up an account with your library card. If you don’t have a card, you can visit your local branch or register online to get one. Questions? keyslibraries.org/ contact-us Recommended by: Kelvin Cedeño, library associate, Key Largo.

See previous Reel Recs at keyslibraries.org/post/reel-recs.

he Florida Keys History Center, Monroe County’s archive of documents and photographs illustrating the history of the Florida Keys, has a new online catalog providing public access to unique documents in the collection, just in time to start celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.

Among the items already posted: a manuscript memoir by William A. Whitehead describing his life in Key West in the early 19th century, church records, city directories, Key West High School yearbooks, editions of Solares Hill newspaper, transcripts from oral histories recorded in 1976, and an album of more than 300 photographs from 1917-1918, the earliest days of the Naval Air Station in Key West.

“Protecting the historical record isn’t just about preserving the past; it’s about safeguarding the truth for the future,” said Kimberly Matthews, senior director of libraries. “My commitment has always been to ensure that every generation inherits an honest, accessible account of who we are and how we got here.”

The history center is housed at the Key West library branch and has been collecting local historical information since 1960, when it was founded by the late Betty Bruce and expanded on by the late Tom Hambright. Almost

25,000 photographs and other images have been scanned, identified and posted online. Those images have been viewed more than 50 million times.

“It is a real pleasure to make the history of Monroe County widely available,” said Corey Malcom, lead historian. “Now, people anywhere can view these documents, and it is done without any wear and tear to the originals.”

The Naval Air Station photo album provides a rare glimpse into the early days of aviation. It was recently donated by the Key West Maritime Historical Society and the Karl and Mary Haffenreffer Foundation.

The center’s online archive is “a ‘living’ project, and we are working every day to scan additional documents and photographs,” said Malcom. “I hope history buffs and researchers will follow our progress, because there is much more to come.”

To view the documents, go to keyslibraries.org/keyshistory and click on “Our Collection.” The Florida Keys History Center homepage also includes the popular “Today In Keys History” column, Malcom’s Island Chronicles, and a selection of “Links We Like” for exploring Keys history online.

— Contributed

Photos from 1918-1919 from the Naval Air Station Key West photo album.

FLORIDA KEYS HISTORY CENTER/Monroe County Public Library.

TIME IS ABOUT TO TELL 50-YEAR-OLD STORY What did students seal in a 1976 capsule? Find out on April 6 MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

T

his is a cool story. School board member Sue Woltanski called me about it Monday evening.

“For years, an envelope has hung on the bulletin board outside the school superintendent’s office,” Woltanski said. “Typed on the front are instructions to open the envelope on April 6, 2026.”

The envelope, yellowed with age, is dated April 6, 1976, the year of the nation’s bicentennial, when schools all over the country sealed containers with items they thought would reflect the era.

“Open this envelope on April 6, 2026 to find directions for unearthing the time capsule buried on April

6, 1976. Please keep this in a vault or other secure place until said date.

Students of Project G.O., May Sands School.”

OK, so they didn’t follow the instructions exactly. At least the envelope was saved.

“I believe the school district has been over at the school with a metal detector or ground-penetrating radar or something, and they do think there’s something there, in a spot they sort of expect it to have been buried,” Woltanski said, joking that she “keeps thinking about Al Capone’s vault.”

In April 1986, TV personality Geraldo Rivera hosted a live, two-hour TV special titled, “The Mystery of Al Capone’s Vaults.” Broadcast from the

Lexington Hotel in Chicago, the highly hyped, record-breaking special ultimately revealed only dirt and empty bottles, according to CBS News.

School district officials and students will unearth and open the time capsule at 1 p.m. on Monday, April 6, exactly 50 years from the day it was sealed.

“I have to assume there are still some people in town who were students at May Sands in 1976,” Woltanski said. “I’d love for them to hear about this and attend the opening.”

What items did the students choose in 1976 to summarize their era for students 50 years in the future?

Find out on Monday, April 6 at 1 p.m. at May Sands School on United Street.

28

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / APRIL 2, 2026

got local?

NEVER BOUGHT. NEVER SOLD. ALWAYS LOCAL. EST. 2003

29

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / APRIL 2, 2026

Founded by Betty Debnam

PICK A WINNING READ

MINI FACT: Visit the ALA’s Youth Media Award Winners Page: bit.ly/3ZOGBX8.

Photo by Let Ideas Compete

Image courtesy Clarion Books

CÁTIA CHIEN Illustrator Cátia Chien received the 2026 Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished picture book for children.

“Fireworks,” a picture book written

by Matthew Burgess, captures the special excitement of Independence Day for two kids waiting for the show to start. The book celebrates not just the sights, but the sounds, tastes and feelings of that magical summer day.

Cátia Chien is an award-winning illustrator whose art has been displayed at the Beijing National Gallery and in other galleries around the world.

Chien was born in Brazil and grew up as an immigrant in the United States. As a child, she loved comic books and thought if she could make books for children, it might help them. She said making art is about "creating from the inside out. ... Who are you?

What do you actually want to say? What matters to you? From that place, everything is possible."

Cátia Chen Image by Michael Belcher

Image courtesy reneewatson.net

Image courtesy Bloomsbury Children's Books

RENÉE WATSON This year's winner of the John Newbery Medal is “All the Blues in the Sky” by Renée Watson.

The Newbery Medal is awarded by the American Library Association for the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature.

In verse, Watson tells the story of Sage, a 13-year-old girl who lost her best friend. As time goes on and Sage joins a counseling group, she begins to understand that grief is different for everyone, and sometimes the pain comes in the middle of laughing or playing or sleeping. Sage also learns that even after such a deep loss, good things in life still happen.

Renée Watson has written many books and has won a Newbery Honor Award and a Coretta Scott King Award. When she was 7 years old, Watson wrote a 21-page story, and her teacher predicted she'd one day be a writer. She grew up in Portland, Oregon, and she has a home there and a home in New York City. She hopes her writing inspires others and helps change the world.

Renée Watson

HONOR BOOKS Four Newbery Honor Books and four Caldecott Honor Books were recognized: • “The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli,” written and illustrated by Karina Yan Glaser • “A Sea of Lemon Trees: The Corrido of Roberto Alvarez,” by María Dolores Águila • “The Teacher of Nomad Land: A World War II Story,” by Daniel Nayeri • “The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest”

by Aubrey Hartman • “Every Monday Mabel,” illustrated and written by Jashar Awan • “Our Lake,” illustrated and written

by Angie Kang • “Stalactite and Stalagmite: A Big Tale From a Little Cave,” illustrated and written

by Drew Beckmeyer • “Sundust,” illustrated and written

by Zeke Peña Coretta Scott King Awards • The Coretta Scott King Author Book Award honored “Will's Race for Home” by Jewel Parker Rhodes.

• The King Illustrator Book Award winner was “The Library in the Woods,” illustrated by R. Gregory Christie and written by Calvin Alexander Ramsey.

• The King Author Honor Books were “The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze” by Derrick Barnes; “The Library in the Woods”; and “Split the Sky” by Marie Arnold.

• The King Illustrator Honor Books were “André,” illustrated by Lamont O'Neal and written by Carole Boston Weatherford and Rob Sanders; and “City Summer, Country Summer,” illustrated by Alexis Franklin and written by Kiese Layman.

The Mini Page® © 2026 Andrews McMeel Syndication

FIND IT AUTHOR, AWARD, BOOKS, CALDECOTT, CHIEN, HONOR, ILLUSTRATOR, KING, LIBRARY, LITERATURE, MEDAL, NEWBERY, PICTURE, READ, STORIES, WATSON, WINNER, WRITER.

Words that remind us of award-winning books are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find:

C H I E U S Q S R R W T W E A O N N T R K N S I I I O E N W N S G Y Q L B O O K

N C A R N Y D U E J L T R O T O D X R T X N W G L C Y S L A

L D E C O T T P Y R O H T U A B R U T C I P Y Y D J Q D R A W A A R T S U L L I E R J R O N O H R N E W B E R Y E W E T H I B L R A R B I L Z X L A D E M L U L

ECO NOTE Narwhals depend on sound the way humans depend on sight, but the Arctic Ocean is becoming so noisy that these whales of the north are falling silent.

As melting sea ice opens new shipping routes, the sounds of engines and propellers are drowning out the echoes narwhals use to find food, navigate and stay connected to each other. Researchers have found that when ships pass nearby, narwhals may stop feeding and abandon normal behavior, a warning sign for a species already living at the edge of survival. Narwhals are called the “unicorns of the sea” because males grow a long, spiraled tusk.

Adapted with permission from Earthweek.com

30

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / APRIL 2, 2026

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3

APRIL 2, 2026 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS THE SCOREBOARD

MARCH 23-28

Team

Sport

Opponent

Date

Result

Marathon

Baseball

Immaculata-La Salle

3/23

L, 12-4

Marathon

Softball

Ransom Everglades

3/23

W, 24-4

Key West

Softball

Marathon

3/24

W, 11-0

Coral Shores

Baseball

Master’s Academy

3/24

W, 7-4

Coral Shores

Girls Lacrosse

St. Brendan

3/24

L, 15-7

Key West

Girls Lacrosse

Gulliver Prep

3/24

W, 13-7

Key West

Boys Lacrosse

Coral Shores

3/25

W, 15-7

Key West

Girls Lacrosse

Coral Shores

3/26

W, 10-7

Coral Shores

Softball

Lourdes Academy

3/26

W, 3-2

Coral Shores

Baseball

Archbishop Carroll

3/26

L, 5-0

Marathon

Softball

Miami Country Day

3/26

W, 17-2

Key West

Baseball

Master’s Academy

3/26

W, 8-5

Key West

Softball

Neumann

3/27

W, 13-1

Coral Shores

Boys Lacrosse

Village School of Naples

3/27

W, 9-8

Marathon

Baseball

Master’s Academy

3/27

W, 5-1

Key West

Baseball

West Broward

3/27

W, 3-1

Key West

Softball

Neumann

3/28

W, 8-2

Key West

Baseball

West Broward

3/28

L, 10-4

Key West

Girls Lacrosse

American Heritage

3/28

L, 11-5

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Lucian

BURNS

Freshman, Marathon Track & Field distance specialist

4/2

Coral Shores

Baseball

Keys Gate

6 p.m.

4/2

Coral Shores

Girls & Boys Lacrosse

NSU University School

5 p.m.

Lucian’s dedication and drive is what honestly sets him apart from other athletes.

He makes no excuses, always putting in the work and I can’t wait to see where this sport takes him.”

4/3

Key West

Girls Lacrosse

NSU University School.

5 p.m.

– Darby Sheehan, Fins head coach

4/3

Marathon

Baseball

JC Bermudez Doral 7 p.m.

4/6

Key West

Tennis

Marathon

2 p.m.

4/6

Coral Shores

Baseball

@ ABF Academy

TBA

THIS WEEK IN KEYS SPORTS

APRIL 2 - 9

Date

School

Sport

Opponent

Start Time

4/2

Coral Shores

Tennis

Key West

2 p.m.

4/6

Marathon

Baseball

Downtown Doral

3 p.m.

4/7

Key West

Tennis

Coral Shores

2 p.m.

4/7

All Keys Teams Track & Field

Coral Shores

3 p.m.

4/7

Coral Shores

Softball

South Homestead

3:30 p.m.

4/7

Marathon

Softball

Ransom Everglades

4 p.m.

4/8

Marathon

Tennis

@ Palmer Trinity

3 p.m.

4/8

Marathon

Softball

@ Miami Country Day

4 p.m.

4/8

Key West

Baseball

@ Stoneman Douglas

6 p.m.

4/9

Marathon

Tennis

Coral Shores

2 p.m.

4/9

Marathon

Baseball

Downtown Doral

6 p.m.

4:35 1,600 PR

10:14 3,200 PR

ON THE COVER

APRIL 2

For the first time since 2014, the Marathon Dolphins baseball team got revenge on their Upper Keys rivals, shutting out Coral Shores 3-0 on March 30. See page 6. Pictured, clockwise from top: Curren Nicolay, Gabriele Cirina, Dylan Williams and Bradley Buigas. Photos by JUSTICE LEE ISOM/ Keys Weekly

If you happen to drive through Marathon at the hottest point of any day, you’re bound to spot Dolphin harrier Lucian Burns racking up the miles. The hard-working and even harder-training freshman has been putting in the work necessary to excel in track and field’s longest races, and his efforts are showing. Two weeks ago, Burns set a pair of PRs in the 1,600 and 3,200-meter races, bounding around the track a dozen times in all, faster than most people pace for a sprint. Last week, he did it again, shaving off time from both races and climbing up the state standings for 1A distance specialists. When others take it easy, Burns takes it upon himself to outwork the field, logging the kind of miles that don’t show up on stat sheets but make all the difference on race day. For his relentless pursuit of being the best he can be and his willingness to push through the heat, humidity and pain mile after mile, Marathon’s Lucian Burns is the Keys Weekly Athlete of the Week.

Photo by NATALIE DANKO/Keys Weekly

4

KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS / APRIL 2, 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.

Publisher / Jason Koler jason@keysweekly.com

Publishing Partner / Britt Myers britt@keysweekly.com

1

Managing Editor / Alex Rickert alex@keysweekly.com

Copy Editor / Mike Howie mike@keysweekly.com

3

Business Development

Patti Childress patti@keysweekly.com Manuela C. Mobley manuela@keysweekly.com Stephanie Mitchell stephanie@keysweekly.com

Production Manager

Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com

Executive Administrator Charlotte Hruska char@keysweekly.com

6

7

Graphic Design

Javier Reyes javier@keysweekly.com

Web Master / Travis Cready travis@keysweekly.com

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.

MARKET EDITORS

Marathon - Alex Rickert alex@keysweekly.com

Classifieds / Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com 305.743.0844

Se habla español

THE MARATHON WEEKLY (ISSN 1944-0812) IS PUBLISHED WEEKLY FOR $125 PER YEAR

BY WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, INC., 9709 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, MARATHON FL 33050.

APPLICATION TO MAIL AT PERIODICALS POSTAGE RATES IS PENDING AT FORT LAUDERDALE FL AND ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES. All stories, photos, and graphics are copyrighted materials.

Upper Keys - Jim McCarthy jim@keysweekly.com Key West - Mandy Miles mandy@keysweekly.com

9709 Overseas Hwy. Marathon, FL 33050 Office: 305.743.0844 www.keysweekly.com

9

10

2

5

APRIL 2, 2026 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS

CRUISE CONTROL Red-hot Conchs on seven-game win streak in softball

K 4

5

8

1. Key West’s Lilee Gage sends the ball over the left-field fence for a two-run home run.

2. The Lady Conchs celebrate Lilee Gage’s home run.

3. Aaliyah McLeod (9) beats the throw to second base.

4. Trinity McLeod fields the ball at first as Shylo Sanchez sprints to the base.

5. Aaliyah McLeod sprints from third to back up catcher Shylo Sanchez on a pop fly.

6. Brianna Brenner begins her delivery.

7. Kaleaya Dickerson rounds third and heads for home.

8. Sutton Sayer delivers a pitch against Key West on March 24.

9. Aaliyah McLeod celebrates her double.

10. Shylo Sanchez awaits the pitch.

TRACY McDONALD/Keys Weekly

ey West’s dynamic pitching duo of Brianna Brenner and Ryleigh Harnish delivered another one-two punch last week.

The junior hurlers shut out the Dolphins in Marathon on March 24, picking up an 11-0 mercy rule win over the Fins.

Brenner started in the circle, striking out seven, walking one and allowing two hits over four innings. Harnish fanned two and surrendered one hit in one inning of work, for the Lady Conchs’ fifth shutout of the season.

Aaliyah McLeod and Shylo Sanchez each delivered a pair of doubles while Lucy Katz and Kaleya Cervantes each singled twice. Arianna Garcia, Maicee Gage and Lilee Gage had one hit each. Lilee’s went yard for two runs. Maicee Gage and Cervantes each stole a base in the commanding win.

Marathon’s Maeve Merryman had two singles and extended them with a pair of stolen bases; eighth grader Sutton Sayer added the final hit for Marathon. Sayer took over pitching duties in the second inning for three and one-third innings of solid work.

Prior to their matchup with Key West, Marathon made the trip to Ransom Everglades for a four-inning 24-4 slugfest. Trinity McLeod and Ana Boose had three hits and four RBIs each while Kayla Skaarup and Sara and Shaina Robinson logged two hits each. The Fins finished with 17 hits and 14 walks in the mercy-rule win.

Sutton Sayer earned the win with six strikeouts and just two hits surrendered to the Raiders.

Marathon’s loss to Key West certainly did not define their week, as they got back to their hard-hitting ways against the Spartans of Miami Country Day. The Fins compiled eight hits, 10 walks and six hit batters to fuel their offense in the 17-2 win. Shaina Robinson had three hits and Trinity McLeod logged two while Merryman, Skaarup and Boose added one each to the total. Boose struck out nine and walked one in the three-inning mercyrule win that put the Dolphins at 8-3 with just under three weeks remaining in the regular season.

Key West also continued their winning ways after their contest with Marathon. The Lady Conchs picked up two more wins on March 28 and 29 against a visiting St. John Neumann. In game one, freshman Charlie Bracher ended the game early with a grand slam home run that gave the team enough points to invoke the mercy rule. Bracher ended the day with three hits, including the home run and a pair of doubles to lead the offense. Cervantes, Katz and Sanchez logged two hits each and Lilee Gage and Aaliyah McLeod had one. McLeod’s was a three-run homer to left field. Brenner fanned four, walked none and surrendered four hits and one unearned run over six innings of work in the 13-1 victory.

In game two, Garcia had the hot bat with three hits to her credit.

Aaliyah McLeod, Katz, Bracher and Sanchez had two apiece and Lilee and Maicee Gage logged one hit each, with Maicee’s being a triple. Harnish ruled in the circle, tossing seven innings and striking out eight. Harnish walked one and allowed five hits and two runs in the team’s 8-2 win.

Now 11-4, the Lady Conchs are ranked sixth in the region and will face the No. 5 team in the coming weeks.

The April 17 and 18 matchups with the Lake Wales Highlanders should prove to be a litmus test for the postseason, during which Key West has all the tools to make a deep run.

Coral Shores improved to 5-2 after defeating Lourdes Academy 3-2 in their single home matchup last week on March 26. Addison Grady went 3-3 with a double and two RBIs to lead the offense for the Hurricanes.

Mira Jones had two base hits and Bayley Catarineau and Alyvia Prince accounted for the rest of the ’Canes’ seven hits. Pressley Bagwell struck out six in five and one-third innings and Prince finished things out in the circle for Coral Shores. Both teams’ scoring ended at the close of the third inning, making for a defensive battle in which the Hurricanes’ error-free play secured the win.

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KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS / APRIL 2, 2026

TRIPLE TROUBLE W

for the Conchs, but plenty to win 3-1 over the Bobcats.

Game two saw the Conchs behind for the first three innings before pulling ahead in the fourth. The teams were knotted up at 4 until the seventh inning, when the Bobcats went on a tear, taking advantage of an error, four hits, three walks and a hit batter to score six runs and put the game out of reach for Key West.

Ong and Garcia each had a pair of hits while ith just over a week to go in the Davila, Niles, Thiery and Darreld Tremino addregular season, Keys teams put toed one apiece. The Bobcats saw pitches from gether an impressive week on their the majority of Key West’s bullpen, with Ong, respective diamonds.

Coral Shores did not know what Davila, Cervantes, Beau Bender and Bennett Logan sharing the workload. The 10-4 final put to expect from a visiting Master’s Key West, ranked No. 4 in all of 4A, at 17-3.

Academy, which made a trip from Vero Beach to Fifty miles northeast, Marathon piled on play all three Keys teams. The Hurricanes were four runs against visiting Immaculata-La Salle the first to face the Patriots. Coral Shores pulled on March 23 and all indications pointed toahead with an early two-run lead in the first, but ward a win through five innings of play. Then the Patriots made the most of a two-out rally to came the sixth inning. La Salle strung together pull ahead in the third, then held on through the six hits, three walks, a fielder’s choice and an fifth inning. error to score eight runs and make a MaraThe patient ’Canes put together a rally of thon win unlikely, if not impossible. Dylan Wiltheir own in the fifth to reclaim the lead, then liams, Roco Piscetello and Massimo Quargnali never looked back. Riley O’Berry started on the mound and delivered an impressive three innings each doubled and Gabriele Cirina singled in an of work. O’Berry also delivered on offense, reach- unusually low-hitting game for Marathon. Williams got the start on the mound, striking out ing base on a double, then three more times after being struck by pitches for a perfect on-base six in four and one-third innings before three more Fins stepped up to split the finish. The percentage. Keller Blackburn had a pair of hits and three of the team’s five stolen bases. Maykol 12-4 loss gave the Dolphins a four-game slide they had no intention of extending.

Bonito, Mason Clark, Jack O’Keefe and Brayden The Fins successfully ended their skid Turner accounted for the rest of the Hurricanes’ March 27 in a 5-1 victory over Master’s hits in the 7-4 win.

Academy, whose tour of the Keys was already A March 26 home matchup against confermarred by losses to Monroe County’s other ence rivals Archbishop Carroll did not yield a two teams. Cirina went the distance for the favorable outcome for the Hurricanes, now 6-7.

Dolphins, striking out 12, walking three and Jack O’Keefe threw four and two-thirds innings, surrendering just three hits over seven instriking out five before Glade Harrelson stepped in for relief. Harrelson, Riley O’Berry, Keller Black- nings. Cirina’s bat was equally effective against the Patriots; the senior slugger was 3-for-3 burn and Noah Gookins had one hit each in the with a pair of singles and a double. Curren 5-0 loss to the Bulldogs.

Nicolay added a pair of hits and Jack ChapKey West was next on Master’s Academy’s man, Reef Rella, Roco Piscetello and Massimo tour of the Keys. The Patriots paid a visit to the Quargnali accounted for the rest. The win put Southernmost City March 26 and suffered anthe Fins at 11-7-1 on the season. other loss, to the hard-hitting Conchs. Xavi Perez Marathon’s momentum kept rolling with was perfect at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a pair a historic 3-0 shutout win over Coral Shores of singles and a double. A beleaguered Patriots pitcher gave Perez another base after hitting him on March 30 – the first time the Fins snuffed out their northern rivals in the team’s last 10 with a pitch. matchups dating back to 2014.

Nelson Ong logged two hits and Tyrone Williams carried the load both on the Cervantes, Kade Maltz, Roman Garcia, Kristian mound and at the plate, throwing six innings Masters and Jackie Niles added one each for a team total of 10. Perez, Maltz and Ong each stole with nine strikeouts and only one hit allowed a base and the Conchs were perfect in the field in before Chapman stepped in to shut the door on the ’Canes in the seventh. their 8-5 win over the Patriots. In all, four Conchs An explosive first inning set the tone for worked on the mound. Cruz Holmes got the start the rest of the matchup, as the Fins blanked and the win with three innings of work. Holmes Coral Shores’ first three batters before sending struck out six, walked two and did not give up a a trio of their own across home plate. Seven single hit or run. Christian Koppal, Carter Wirth total hits fueled Marathon’s offense – two and Auggy Davila all put in some work as well.

The next two nights were a mixed bag for Key doubles from Williams, plus singles from Miles Murphy, Quargnali, Nicolay, Bradley Buigas West, when they split a two-game series against and Cirina. For a full game recap, see the April the 7A Bobcats of West Broward. In game one, 9 edition of the Keys Weekly Sports Wrap.

Donovan Thiery struck out nine, walked one and April 11 is the final day for regular-season surrendered five hits and one run in six innings. games, with district action opening April 14.

Thiery earned the win and Kade Maltz provided Last season, Keys baseball teams pulled off an an inning of relief, striking out two. Ong and Garcia had two hits each and Thiery accounted for hit unprecedented feat: All three teams secured number five – an uncharacteristically low number district titles.

Patriots learn first-hand that baseball is strong Keyswide

Marathon pitcher Gabriele Cirina leads the Fins with a .426 batting average, 23 hits, 22 RBIs, 68 strikeouts and six wins. JUSTICE LEE ISOM/Keys Weekly

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APRIL 2, 2026 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS

Clockwise from top left Alaric Rodriguez Ava Merryman Daysi Williams Karla Guitierrez Kate King

ON TRACK

Photos by Natalie Danko and Rick Mackenzie

Teams look strong heading down the home stretch

M

arathon’s track and field teams made the big trip to Fort Lauderdale for a meet at Calvary Christian School. In all, 14 girls teams and 16 boys teams were in attendance, and the Fins held their own, finishing sixth in boys and seventh in girls.

All of the Lady Fins’ top-three finishes were in the field events.

Seniors Daysi Williams, Ava Merryman and Justice Lee Isom earned the lion’s share of the points for the team. Williams won the high jump with a 4’ 11.75” mark. Lee Isom hurled the shot 39’ 7.75” for first place, then picked up a pair of thirds in discus and javelin. Merryman finished second in the pole vault after clearing 9’ 4.25” – the same height as the winner, who had one fewer miss.

For the boys, the younger athletes pulled their weight and earned all of the Dolphins’ top-three finishes. Lucian Burns was the big point scorer, fueled by a pair of firsts in the 1,600 and 3,200-meter races.

Burns finished his first four laps in 4:35, then the other eight in 10:14, both PRs for the talented freshman.

Teammate Tony Bursa, a sophomore, was second in the 3,200.

In field events, freshman Eian Batzer and eighth grader Maverick McDonald picked up third-place finishes. Batzer cleared the bar at 5” 7.5” in high jump, then McDonald sailed 9’10” over the pole vault bar.

McDonald’s vault set a new PR and school record, which he has done three times this season in as many meets.

Coral Shores opted to compete at Monsignor Pace on March 26. There, the boys and girls both finished third out of six teams and had some solid performances. Julieanna Oddo won the girls 100-meter hurdle race in 19.19 seconds

and Ali Wheatley took first in the 1,600, finishing in 12:28. Wheatley then teamed up with Tess Hill, Kate King and Olive Welch for a win in the 4x400 relay. Welch and King were also part of the secondplace 4x800 team along with Jenna Mandozzi and Samantha Bates, plus the second-place 4x100 team with Niveah Howard and Miracle Woods.

Woods placed third in the individual 100-meter race and Karla Gutierrez was third in the discus event to round out the Lady ’Cane top-three finishers.

The boys team had plenty of success as well. Jaime Cary was first in the 1,600, running the mile in 4:53. Victor Lopez was third in the same race. Adrik Gadea Mayer won two individual events, including the long jump after a 19’7” leap, then the 800-meter race, completing the two laps in 2:08 with teammate Alaric Rodriguez finishing right behind him in second. William Roberts was the runner-up in the 400-meter hurdle race, while Ricardo Mack was third in long jump and Casey Konrad was third in shot put.

The boys relay teams also had success, with two 4x400 teams placing. The A-team of Gadea Mayer, Rodriguez, Will Theis and Colton Connolly was second and the B-team of Cary, Lopez, Roberts and Tristan Rios was third. The final top-three finish was in the boys 4x100 relay, in which Ekon Edwards, Daniel Fernandez, Isaac Woods and Uriel Gutierrez placed third.

Track and field’s regular season closes April 10. Key West and Coral Shores will send their top athletes to districts April 15 at Southridge Park while Marathon must wait until April 23 for its postseason debut at Palmer Trinity School. Regionals for all three teams are scheduled for May 1 in Fort Lauderdale.

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KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS / APRIL 2, 2026

3 4 1 2

CONCHS & ’CANES COLLIDE

Rivalry matchups meet expectations on lacrosse fields

T

he highly-anticipated rivalry clashes between the Key West and Coral Shores lacrosse squads lived up to the billing, delivering a pair of close, hard-fought contests.

The Lady Conchs entered their March 26 matchup with some extra confidence after beating Gulliver Prep two days prior. But Key West did not take Coral Shores lightly heading into their district 16 rivalry, which also served as the team’s annual Senior Night.

“Coming off a high from Gulliver, and understanding Coral Shores was going to be a tough game, we were mentally locked in and prepared to give it our all,” said Key West coach Marissa Giacopuzzi.

Senior Eisley Whitehead wasted no time getting the Conchs on the board. Whitehead scored just after the oneminute mark, then the teams settled into what Giacopuzzi described as a slow-moving first quarter. After that, the Conchs’ offense heated up, and the seniors delivered on their night of honor. Colbie Turner scored three goals while Althea Olsen, Whitehead and Taylor Gibson netted one each.

Whitehead and Adriana Dall each caused three turnovers, then Gibson added two and Olsen one plus an interception. In all, the Conchs caused 16 turnovers, disrupting Coral Shores’ momentum and driving their own.

Sophomore Mavis Bishop accounted for Key West’s other four goals in the 10-7 win for the Conchs. Senior goalkeeper Alexandra Konenca played in goal a majority of the game, picking up four saves and a groundball. Sophomore Diya Alwani played the rest of the minutes.

Giacopuzzi called the win a victory for the seniors. “We played more aggressively, we played faster, we hustled to every ground ball and we demonstrated patience with our possessions,” she said.

Coral Shores’ Addy McNew scored two against the Conchs. Leyla Goodrich, Shay Stober, Saylor Wampler, Ivy Tiedemann and Alexis Mahaffery netted one apiece. Lola Stober was solid in goal, keeping the game close until the end.

1. Mavis Bishop, left, and Lela Goodrich face off.

2. Ivy Tiedemann (5) shoots for a goal.

3. Shay Stober (12) tries to get around Eisley Whitehead.

4. Taylor Gibson (1) dodges Coral Shores defender Chloe Cummings (15) to get down the field.

5. Christian Gonzalez (5) takes a shot on goal.

6. James Mitchell (24) scores against Key West.

7. Carlo Vernieri (4) charges toward the goal while Christian Gonzalez (5) stays tight on defense.

8. Finn McDonough (9) makes a great catch for Coral Shores.

Photos by Natalie Goodwin and Maicy Malgrat

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APRIL 2, 2026 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS

7 8 5 6

BOYS When Coral Shores and Key West faced off on March “Hope to see them 25, there were no quesagain in district tions that it would be a good playoffs. We will game, and the Hurricanes be ready.” and Conchs delivered.

“It was a dogfight from —Chris Carrow, the opening whistle, just as ’Canes head coach we expected and prepared for,” said Conchs coach Alberto Piceno of the contest that was tied 5-all at the half.

The Conchs doubled their scoring in the second half, piling on 10 goals to the Hurricanes’ two. The scoring surge certainly helped Key West, but Piceno gave credit to his defensemen in the big win.

“Defensively, the boys made adjustments on the fly, working together to figure out what would be most effective,” he said. “A key moment came when Calvin Mercer asked teammate Owen Dougherty to take the long pole and step in defensively. Owen simply said, ‘bet,’ and together they helped stabilize our defense alongside Quinn Van Aller,” he added.

Piceno also credited his goalkeeper, Mateo Lopez, with 17 saves and a strong presence in goal while Raffie Rice and Brady Wright were clutch in the team’s faceoffs. Wright won

five while Rice won four to help control the game.

“They may not always get the recognition they deserve, but their contributions are critical to our success,” said Piceno.

Offensively, Key West’s Max Louchheim delivered what Piceno described as the performance of the season with four goals, each at crucial moments. Carlo Vernieri and Zach Payne also scored four each and Vernieri added three assists.

Sawyer Hill, Kai Woods and Reif Wallen each netted one for the Conchs in their 15-7 win.

For the Hurricanes, it was Christian Gonzalez and James Mitchell leading the charge with three goals apiece. SG Paul added one goal and Zane Martinez assisted on three. Goalkeeper Brock Bynum has been an absolute powerhouse in goal for the Hurricanes this season, and the rivalry matchup was no different. Bynum, bolstered by a strong Coral Shores defense, saved 17 shots from scoring, keeping the team in contention as long as he could.

“The difference-maker was Key West’s play after halftime,” Coral Shores coach Chris Carrow said, adding, “Hope to see them again in district playoffs. We will be ready.”

Carrow won’t have to wait too long to see if his hopes will be affirmed. Regular-season play closes April 4, then district playoff brackets will be calculated later that week. The likelihood of a Key West-Coral Shores rematch is strong. District play begins April 8.

“In the end, it was a great game — one you truly had to see to appreciate. As a rivalry matchup, it lived up to expectations in every way.”

—Alberto Piceno, Conchs head coach

Coral Shores went on to host Village School of Naples on March 27, winning 9-8 with aggressive play and a strong defense. Jace Jackson won 15 of 18 faceoffs and Bynum had eight saves to help preserve the win.

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KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS / APRIL 2, 2026

PULLING THEIR WEIGHT Wins in lighter classes give Marathon boost over Coral Shores

T

he Hurricanes and Dolphins’ lifters met in Marathon for the Fins’ annual Senior Night on March 25. Despite coming up short most of the season, the addition of talented athletes in the lighter weight classes meant all the difference in the outcome.

The Fins had double wins from Jason Doss (119 pounds), Evan Toman (129), Calvin Downey (139), Matthias Martinez-Velez (154), Max Childress (183), Isaak Vallejo (199), Chris Paul (219) and Trevor Wofsey (Unlimited) and a win in the traditional event from 169-pound Aiden Richard.

The Hurricanes had one double winner in Fredy Flores in the 238-pound class and an Olympic win from Jackson Garcia (169).

Childress, a Marathon senior, topped the charts with two of

the top three lifts of the day. Despite being four weight classes from the heaviest, Childress hoisted the most of any lifter in any class in the snatch lift, with a 175-pound feat, and the clean and jerk, in which he successfully lifted 265 pounds. Childress was the top lifter overall in the Olympic event. Teammate Isaak Vallejo, a junior, had a monster 325-pound bench press to put him at the top of the traditional lifters.

Both teams are buckling down for the postseason, which begins with districts April 11 at Key Largo School. District champs in each weight class move on to regionals automatically and others, particularly those in strong districts like Marathon and Coral Shores, can earn at-large spots. Regional champs and a pool of at-large lifters then move on to states in Lakeland in early May.

Top row: Aiden Richard, left, Calvin Downey and Chris Paul Middle row: Evan Toman, left, Isaak Vallejo and Matthias Martinez-Velez Bottom row: Trevor Wofsey Far left: Max Childress Photos by Natalie Danko and Tracy McDonald

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APRIL 2, 2026 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES •

305.743.0844

LEGAL NOTICES

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NOTICE OF FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of Greeen Flash Sky Lounge located at 51 Coffeen Avenue, Suite 101-283, Sheridan, WY 82801 intends to register said name with the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida, pursuant to Section 865.09, Florida Statutes.

By: The Greeen House Corporation By: TGHFL 431 Front LLC Publish: April 2, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

ADVERTISMENT FOR BIDS BID NO: FWC 25/26-101C BID NAME: Monroe County ALA Waterway Marker Project PROJECT LOCATION: Monroe County, FLORIDA The intent of this Invitation to Bid (ITB) is to obtain competitive pricing for the installation of a total of ninety-four (94) regulatory waterway markers to post designated anchoring areas within portions of Key West, Cudjoe Key, Big Pine Key and Marathon in Monroe County, Florida per plans and specifications in accordance with the documents and Chapter 255 of the Florida Statutes.

To review the bid details for FWC 25/26-101C Visit https://vendor. myfloridamarketplace.com/ search/bids to view a list of FWC’s formal solicitations and agency decisions.

Choose the FWC 25/26-101C 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 32311-6160 Phone: (850) 617-9658 Email: Elbert.Orellana@myfwc.com Publish: April 2, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

SECTION 2-60 TO BE ENTITLED “ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTIVES”, AND INSERTING NEW LANGUAGE INTO SECTION 2-60 THAT AUTHORIZES THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO ADOPT ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTIVES PROVIDING DIRECTION TO STAFF ON HOW TO IMPLEMENT COUNTY POLICIES; RENUMBERING CURRENT SECTION 2-61, ENTITLED “CRIMINAL BACKGROUND SCREENING FOR CERTAIN SAFETY AND SECURITY CRITICAL POSITIONS”, AS SECTION 2-63 WITH THE SAME TITLE; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. The proposed ordinance may be inspected by the public at the Monroe County website by viewing the agenda packet for the April 15, 2026, meeting, which will be posted beginning on April 7, 2026 at: https://www. monroecounty-fl.gov/695/BOCCMeetings-Agendas. The ordinance may also be viewed at the Monroe County Attorney’s Office at 1111 12th Street, Suite 408, Key West, FL 33040.

The public can participate in the April 15, 2026, meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, FL by attending in person or via Zoom. The Zoom link can be found in the agenda at: https://mcbocc.zoom.us/j/ 89204098700, or Live Closed Captioning is available via the MCTV portal at https://cloud.castus.tv/ vod/ monroe/video/60832c9 dcf67bb7ac0c21791 ?page=HOME&type=live.

ADA ASSISTANCE: If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodations in order to participate in this proceeding, please contact the County Administrator’s Office, by phoning (305) 292-4441, between the hours of 8:30a.m.—5:00p.m., prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voice-impaired, call “711”.

Pursuant to Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes, notice is given that if a person decides to appeal any decision made by the Board of County Commissioners with respect to any matter considered at such meetings or hearings, that person will need a record of the proceedings, and for such purpose, that person will need to ensure that a verbatim record is made of the proceedings, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.

Dated at Key West, Florida, this 28th day of March, 2026.

KEVIN MADOK, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Ex Officio Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida Publish: April 2, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

“ACCESS BOXES,” 13-7, “PREMISES IDENTIFICATION,” AND 13-8, “EMERGENCY ACTION PLANS,” TO SET FORTH NEW PROVISIONS CONSISTENT WITH THE FLORIDA FIRE PREVENTION CODE; AND

BY AMENDING ARTICLE II, “FIRE MARSHAL,” SECTIONS 13-28 THROUGH 13-31, THEREIN, TO CLARIFY THE COUNTY’S AUTHORITY TO ENFORCE APPLICABLE FIRE SAFETY CODES; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; AND PROVIDING FOR TRANSMITTAL AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. The proposed ordinance may be inspected by the public at the Monroe County website by viewing the agenda packet for the April 15, 2026, meeting, which will be posted beginning on April 7, 2026 at: https://www. monroecounty-fl.gov/695/BOCCMeetings-Agendas. The ordinance may also be viewed at the Monroe County Attorney’s Office at 1111 12th Street, Suite 408, Key West, FL 33040.

The public can participate in the April 15, 2026, meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, FL by attending in person or via Zoom. The Zoom link can be found in the agenda at: https://mcbocc.zoom.us/j/ 89204098700, or Live Closed Captioning is available via the MCTV portal at https://cloud.castus.tv/vod/ monroe/video/60832c9dcf 67bb7ac0c21791?page =HOME&type=live.

ADA ASSISTANCE: If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodations in order to participate in this proceeding, please contact the County Administrator’s Office, by phoning (305) 292-4441, between the hours of 8:30a.m. — 5:00p.m., prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voice-impaired, call “711”.

Pursuant to Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes, notice is given that if a person decides to appeal any decision made by the Board of County Commissioners with respect to any matter considered at such meetings or hearings, that person will need a record of the proceedings, and for such purpose, that person will need to ensure that a verbatim record is made of the proceedings, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.

Dated at Key West, Florida, this 2nd day of April, 2026.

KEVIN MADOK, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Ex Officio Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida Publish: April 2, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

April 15, 2026, meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, FL by attending in person or via Zoom. The Zoom link can be found in the agenda at: https://mcbocc.zoom. us/j/89204098700, or Live Closed Captioning is available via the MCTV portal at https://cloud.castus.tv/vod/ monroe/video/60832c9dcf67 bb7ac0c21791?page+ HOME&type=live.

ADA ASSISTANCE: If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodations in order to participate in this proceeding, please contact the County Administrator’s Office, by phoning (305) 292-4441, between the hours of 8:30a.m.-5:00p.m., prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voice-impaired, call “711”.

Pursuant to Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes, notice is given that if a person decides to appeal any decision made by the Board of County Commissioners with respect to any matter considered at such meetings or hearings, that person will need a record of the proceedings, and for such purpose, that person will need to ensure that a verbatim record is made of the proceedings, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.

Dated at Key West, Florida, this 2nd day of April, 2026.

KEVIN MADOK, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Ex Officio Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida Publish: April 2, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF INTENT TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF COUNTY ORDINANCE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN that on April 15, 2026, at 9:00 A.M. or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, at the Marathon Government Center, 2798 Overseas Highway, 2nd Floor, Marathon, Florida, 33050, the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida, intends to consider adopting the following ordinance: AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE MONROE COUNTY CODE, CHAPTER 13, “FIRE PREVENTION AND PROTECTION,” ARTICLE I, “IN GENERAL,” BY AMENDING SECTIONS 13-2 AND 13-3, THEREIN, TO UPDATE THE CODE AND ITS TERMINOLOGY; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 13-4, “STORAGE OF FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS,” BY RENAMING THE SECTION TO “AIRBORNE FLAME DEVICES PROHIBITED,” AND PROVIDING NEW LANGUAGE THEREIN; AND BY ENACTING NEW SECTIONS WITHIN THAT ARTICLE, SPECIFICALLY SECTIONS 13-5, “MULTI-BUILDING COMPLEXES AND DEVELOPMENTS,” 13-6,

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN that on April 15, 2026, at 9:00 A.M. or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, at the Marathon Government Center, 2798 Overseas Highway, 2nd Floor, Marathon, Florida, the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida, intends to consider the following: ISSUANCE OF A CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY TO KEY LARGO FIRE RESCUE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES DISTRICT FOR THE OPERATION OF A CLASS A ALS AND BLS AMBULANCE TRANSPORT SERVICE WITHIN MONROE COUNTY, FOR THE PERIOD OF APRIL 16, 2026 THROUGH APRIL 15, 2028.

The proposed certificate may be inspected by the public at the Monroe County website by viewing the agenda packet for the April 15, 2026, meeting, which will be posted beginning on April 7, 2026 at: https://www. monroecounty-fl.gov/695/BOCCMeetings-Agendas. The ordinance may also be viewed at the Monroe County Attorney’s Office at 1111 12th Street, Suite 408, Key West, FL 33040.

The public can participate in the

NOTICE OF FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of Combs Coastal Woodworking located at PO Box 443, Layton, Florida 33001 intends to register said name with the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida, pursuant to Section 865.09, Florida Statutes.

By: Matthew Combs Publish: April 2, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE Lien Sale Notice is hereby given that the undersigned intends to sell the personal property described as below to enforce a lien imposed on said property under the Florida Self Storage Facilities Act Statues (section 83.801-83.809) The undersigned will sell online by competitive bidding on April 13, 2026 at 11:00am.

Unit 105 – Catherine Rocha – Misc.

Items Will be auctioned online by Storage Treasures via website at storagetreasures.com. All purchased items are sold as is.

Items are located at Big Pine Storage at 30677 Overseas Highway, Big Pine Key, Florida 33043 and must be collected within 48 hours of auction.

Publish: March 26 & April 2, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE Florida Keys Council of the Arts Notice of Upcoming Meetings The Florida Keys Council of the Arts will hold the following meetings via Communications Media Technology using a ZOOM webinar platform. The access points to view the Zoom meetings or for members of the public to provide public input will be: JOIN ZOOM via the Zoom app and use each meeting ID and password listed.

Meetings are open to the public, and all are invited to attend.

Questions, or to RSVP, please email Liz Young at director@keysarts. com Nominating Committee Meeting April 14, 2026, at 09:00 AM Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/ 83713959596?pwd=D0X 6UcKslOPLvgGi8Qtz Bxe5Fq36BD.1 Meeting ID: 837 1395 9596 Passcode: 047589 Executive Committee Meeting April 16, 2026, at 03:00 PM Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/ 86294500816?pwd=hMQe AhJ3YqJaWUbxbMf 866JpaBg8Gz.1 Meeting ID: 862 9450 0816 Passcode: 745402 Art In Public Places Committee Meeting April 21, 2026, at 4:00 PM Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/ 81350421760?pwd=LaB57lzug GP0CSeO8uNWa AceJ5YPmB.1 Meeting ID: 813 5042 1760 Passcode: 534959 Cultural Umbrella Committee Meeting April 23, 2026, at 11:00 AM Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/ 88624165458?pwd=msC1qd2 W8zcskx3MFH8M zigXWBLvT4.1 Meeting ID: 886 2416 5458 Passcode: 031079 Publish: April 2, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF INTENTION TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF COUNTY ORDINANCE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN that on April 15, 2026, at 9:00 A.M. or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, at the Marathon Government Center, 2798 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Florida, 33050, the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida, intends to consider adopting the following ordinance: AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, RENAMING DIVISION 1 OF ARTICLE III OF CHAPTER 2 OF THE MONROE COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES, CURRENTLY ENTITLED “GENERALLY” TO “COUNTY ADMINISTRATION”; AND AMENDING SECTIONS 2-58, 2-59, AND 2-60 BY RENAMING SECTION 2-58, CURRENTLY ENTITLED “COUNTY ADMINISTRATION” TO “COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR” AND AMENDING THE SECTION TO DEFINE THE ADMINISTRATIVE BRANCH OF COUNTY GOVERNHMENT, TO CLARIFY AND EXPAND UPON THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR SELECTING AND REMOVING THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR; TO CLARIFY AND EXPAND UPON THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR; RENUMBERING CURRENT SECTION 2-59, ENTITLED “COUNTY EMPLOYEES ACCEPTING SERVICE OF PROCESS ON BEHALF OF COUNTY OR OTHER EMPLOYEES PROHIBITED” AS SECTION 2-61, WITH THE SAME TITLE, AND INSERTING NEW LANGUAGE INTO SECTION 2-59, TO BE ENTITLED “ADMINISTRATIVE CODE”, WITH LANGUAGE THAT AUTHORIZES AND PROVIDES FOR THE ADOPTION OF A COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE CODE WHICH SHALL SERVE AS A CENTRAL REPOSITORY OF BOARD APPROVED POLICIES FOR THE ADMINISTRATIVE BRANCH OF COUNTY GOVERNMENT; RENUMBERING CURRENT SECTION 2-60, ENTITLED “NONINTERFERENCE” AS SECTION 2-62, WITH THE SAME TITLE, AND INSERTING NEW LANGUAGE INTO

CITY OF KEY COLONY BEACH NOTICE OF CODE AMENDMENT HEARING “SECOND/FINAL READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 2026-510” NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Commission of the City of Key Colony Beach, Florida, will hold the following Public Hearing to hear amendments to the City’s Code of Ordinances.

DATE/TIME: Thursday, April 16th, 2026, 3:30 PM LOCATION: City of Key Colony Beach, Marble Hall, 600 W. Ocean Dr., Key Colony Beach.

The proposed Ordinance to be heard by the City Commission is [ORDINANCE NO. 2026-510], entitled: “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF KEY COLONY BEACH, FLORIDA; AMENDING CHAPTER FOURTEEN OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, ENTITLED SEWERS AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL, SECTION 14-6 MONTHLY RATES AND CHARGES, AND PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; REPEALING ANY INCONSISTENT PROVISIONS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.” The Business Impact Statement is available for review on the City of Key Colony Beach’s website at www.keycolonybeach.net and at City Hall at 600 W. Ocean Drive, Key Colony Beach.

Interested parties may appear at the meeting and be heard with respect to the proposed ordinance. Copies of the proposed Ordinance are available for inspection at the City Hall of Key Colony Beach.

If any person decides to appeal any decision made by the Key Colony Beach City Commission with respect to any matter considered at the Code Amendment Hearing, that person will need a record of the proceeding and for such purpose may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.

If you are unable to attend the Public Hearing on Thursday, April 16, 2026, but wish to comment, please direct correspondence to the City Clerk, P.O. Box 510141, Key Colony Beach, FL 33051, and your comments will be entered into the record.

To be published: On or before April 6, 2026

LEGAL NOTICES City Clerk - City of Key Colony Beach, Florida Publish: April 2, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, THAT THE CITY OF KEY COLONY BEACH WILL BE HOLDING PUBLIC HEARINGS ON: DATE/TIME: Planning & Zoning Hearing: Wednesday, April 15th, 2026, 3:30 P.M. City Commission Public Hearing: Thursday, May 21st, 2026, 3:30 P.M. LOCATION: City of Key Colony Beach City Hall Auditorium ‘Marble Hall’ 600 W. Ocean Drive, Key Colony Beach, Florida 33051, To hear a Variance Request from Kenneth and Ellen Jones, owners of the property at 620 10th Street, Key Colony Beach, Florida 33051.

This meeting will be available via Zoom Meetings. Members of the public who wish to attend virtually may email the City Clerk at cityclerk@keycolonybeach.net or call 305-289-1212, Ext. 2 for further instructions on attending via Zoom Meetings.

The applicants request a variance from the City of Key Colony Beach Land Development Regulations, Article IV, Sec. 101-26, for relief from the 10-foot setback from the MHW (mean-high water) line or the landward edge of the seawall, as applicable, to accommodate the proposed pool. The proposed pool would encroach into the setback by 3 feet.

Interested parties may attend the Hearing and be heard with respect to the requested variance.

If any person decides to appeal any decision made by the City Commission of the City of Key Colony Beach with respect to any matter considered at the Variance Hearing, that person will need a record of the proceedings and for such purpose may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.

If you are unable to attend the Hearings on Wednesday, April 15th, or Thursday, May 21st, 2026, but wish to comment, please direct correspondence to the City Clerk at P.O. Box 510141, Key Colony Beach, FL 33051, or via email at cityclerk@ keycolonybeach.net, and your comments will be entered into the record.

Published: On or before April 5th, 2026 City Clerk, City of Key Colony Beach Publish: April 2, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, THAT THE CITY OF KEY COLONY BEACH WILL BE HOLDING PUBLIC HEARINGS ON: DATE/TIME: Planning & Zoning Hearing: Wednesday, April 15th, 2026, 3:30 P.M. City Commission Public Hearing: Thursday, May 21st, 2026, 3:30 P.M. LOCATION: City of Key Colony Beach City Hall Auditorium ‘Marble Hall’ 600 W. Ocean Drive, Key Colony Beach, Florida 33051, To hear a Variance Request from Brian Vliem, Vliem Vacation Rentals LLC., owner of the property at 630 10th Street, Key Colony Beach, Florida 33051. This meeting will be available via Zoom Meetings.

Members of the public who wish to attend virtually may email the City Clerk at cityclerk@ keycolonybeach.net or call 305-289-1212, Ext. 2 for further instructions on attending via Zoom Meetings.

The applicants request a variance from the City of Key Colony Beach Land Development Regulations, Article IV, Sec. 101-26, for relief from the 10-foot setback from the MHW (mean-high water) line or the landward edge of the seawall, as applicable, to accommodate the proposed pool. The proposed pool would encroach into the setback by 3 feet.

LEGAL NOTICES Interested parties may attend the Hearing and be heard with respect to the requested variance.

If any person decides to appeal any decision made by the City Commission of the City of Key Colony Beach with respect to any matter considered at the Variance Hearing, that person will need a record of the proceedings and for such purpose may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.

If you are unable to attend the Hearings on Wednesday, April 15th, or Thursday, May 21st, 2026, but wish to comment, please direct correspondence to the City Clerk at P.O. Box 510141, Key Colony Beach, FL 33051, or via email at cityclerk@ keycolonybeach.net, and your comments will be entered into the record.

Published: On or before April 5th, 2026 City Clerk City of Key Colony Beach Publish: April 2, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION CASE NO.: 26-CP-22-P PROBATE DIVISION DIVISION: UPPER KEYS IN RE: THE ESTATE OF MARK A. SMAIL Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of MARK A. SMAIL, deceased, whose date of death was February 17, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division; the address of which is 88770 Overseas Highway, Suite 2, Plantation Key, FL 33070.

The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. 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 Statues applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s.

732.2211, Florida Statutes.

ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is April 2, 2026.

Personal Representative: KELLY L. SMAIL, Executor 4004 Micklefield Lane Greensburg, PA 15601 Attorney for Personal Representative: MICHAEL W. DARPINO, ESQ. Michael.Darpino@epadvisors.com FL Bar No.: 1003432 One PPG Place, Ste. 1710 Pittsburgh, PA 15222 (412) 281-2870 Publish: April 2 & 9, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

12

KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS / APRIL 2, 2026

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES • LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 26-CP-000120-P DIVISION: PROBATE IN RE: ESTATE OF JAMES B. CHAMBERS Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of JAMES B. CHAMBERS, deceased, whose date of death was February 17, 2026, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88770 Overseas Hwy., Tavernier, FL 33070. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. 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, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes.

ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA PROBATE CODE WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is April 2, 2026.

Personal Representative: James Sean Chambers 195 Atlantic Circle Drive Tavernier, FL 33070 Attorney for Personal Representative: Anthony A. Velardi, Esq. Florida Bar No. 113917 Key Largo Law 218 Lignumvitae Drive Key Largo, FL 33037 Tel: (305) 453-5277 Fax: (305) 453-4985 E-Mail: anthony@keylargolaw.com Publish: April 2 & 9, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

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, 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 April 2, 2026.

Personal Representative: Tanya L. Bower 4928 Cypress Lane Coconut Creek, Florida 33073 Attorney for Personal Representative: Tanya L. Bower E-mail Addresses: Tanya@ businesslawteam.com jane@businesslawteam.com Florida Bar No. 93378 Business Law Team, PLLC 401 E Las Olas Blvd FT LAUDERDALE, Florida 33301 Telephone: (954) 648-5268 Publish: April 2 & 9, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 25-CP-000551-P IN RE: THE ESTATE OF JAMES H. BOWER Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of James H. Bower, deceased, whose date of death was September 17, 2025, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division; the address of which is 88770 Overseas Highway, Suite 2, Plantation Key, Florida 33070. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 26-CP-95-M DIVISION: MIDDLE KEYS IN RE: ESTATE OF JOHN AMELIO MARTIN A/K/A JOHN A. MARTIN Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of John Amelio Martin a/k/a John A. Martin, deceased, whose date of death was November 20, 2025, and whose Social Security Number is XXX-XX-9450, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 3117 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Florida 33050.

The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA PROBATE CODE WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is April 2, 2026.

Personal Representative: Jill Ann Frank 7 W. Bergen Avenue Harvey Cedars, NJ 08008 Attorney for Personal Representative: Richard H. Breit Attorney Florida Bar No. 283436 Richard H. Breit, P.A. 8551 W Sunrise Blvd Ste 300 Plantation, Florida 33322

LEGAL NOTICES Telephone: (954) 452-1144 Publish: April 2 & 9, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA DIVISION: PROBATE CASE NO.: 25-CP-498-M IN RE: ESTATE OF ANNETTE J. AVICOLLI Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of ANNETTE J. AVICOLLI, deceased, whose date of death was May 17, 2025, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 3117 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA PROBATE CODE WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is April 2, 2026.

Personal Representative: Ashley Avicolli 9440 Poinciana Place, Apt. 316 Davie, Florida 33324 Attorney for Personal Representative: Anthony J. Barrows Attorney for Personal Representative Florida Bar Number: 662569 WRIGHT BARROWS PLLC 30410 Sea Grape Terr. Ste. 2 Big Pine Key, FL 33043 Telephone: (305) 743-8118 Fax: (305) 489-0307 E-mail: tony@keysclosings.com Publish: April 2 & 9, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No. 26-CP-000035-P IN RE: ESTATE OF RANDY LEE AIVAZ, A/K/A RANDY L. AIVAZ, A/K/A RANDY AIVAZ Deceased.

The administration of the estate of Randy Lee Aivaz, a/k/a Randy L. Aivaz, a/k/a Randy Aivaz, deceased, whose date of death was October 30, 2025, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 500 Whitehead St, Key West, Florida 33040. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative's attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims

LEGAL NOTICES 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 March 26, 2026.

Personal Representative: Marie Frances Jones, a/k/a Marie France A. Jones, a/k/a Marie F. Jones 141 Coconut Row Tavernier, Florida 33070 Attorney for Personal Representative: Andrew Ponnock Florida Bar Number: 195420 10100 West Sample Road, 3rd floor Coral Springs, FL 33065 Telephone: (954) 340-4051 Fax: (800) 809-1774 E-Mail: andy@ponnocklaw.com Publish: March 26 & April 2, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF FLORIDA, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 44-2026-CP-000077-P IN RE: THE ESTATE OF FRANK M. BARCHIESE Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of Frank M. Barchiese, deceased, whose date of death was December 20, 2025, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division; the address of which is 88770 Overseas Highway, Tavernier, Florida 33070. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is March 26, 2026.

Personal Representative: Edith V. Benyovszky 35 Iron Hill Rd New Britain, PA 18901 Attorney for Personal Representative: Nicholas W. Mulick, Esq. E-mail Address: reception@ mulicklaw.com Florida Bar No. 0337757 Nicholas W. Mulick, P.A. 91645 Overseas Highway

305.743.0844

LEGAL NOTICES Tavernier, Florida 33070 Telephone: (305) 852-9292 Publish: March 26 & April 2, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE PLANTATION KEY DIVISION FILE NO.: 26-CP-000082-P IN RE: ESTATE OF ALBERT C. CHRISTENSEN, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of ALBERT C. CHRISTENSEN, deceased, whose date of death was January 20, 2026, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88770 Overseas Highway, Suite 2, Plantation Key, Florida 33070.

The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. 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: March 26, 2026.

Personal Representative: WESLEY T. CHRISTENSEN 4380 3rd Ave SW Naples, Florida 34119 Attorney for Personal Representative: MARK R. KLYM, Esq. Florida Bar Number: 49003 Hahn Loeser & Parks, LLP 5811 Pelican Bay Blvd, Suite 650 Naples, Florida 34108 Telephone: (239) 552-2960 Fax: (239) 254-2947 E-Mail: mklym@hahnlaw.com Secondary E-Mail: cpiglia@ hahnlaw.com Secondary E-Mail: mgonzalez@ hahnlaw.com Publish: March 26 and April 2, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 26-CP-000091-P IN RE: ESTATE OF PAUL W. O’SULLIVAN Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of PAUL W. O’SULLIVAN, deceased, whose date of death was December 11, 2025; is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division; File Number 26-CP-000091-P; the address of which is 88770 Overseas Highway, Suite 2, Plantation Key, FL 33070. The names and addresses of the

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

personal representatives and the personal representatives’ 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, and who have been served a copy of this notice, must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE LATER OF THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons who have claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with this court WITHIN THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. THE DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE IS: MARCH 26, 2026.

Personal Representatives: SCOTT O’SULLIVAN 373 Race Street Denver, CO 80206 scott@osullivan-law-firm.com WENDY O’SULLIVAN 5553 Harford Street Churchton, MD 20733 wendyleeo202@gmail.com Attorney for Personal Representatives: JOHN MICHAEL LYNN, ESQ. Florida Bar No. 0147273 Turner & Lynn, P.A. 7 Barracuda Lane Key Largo, Florida 33037 Telephone: (305) 367-0911 turnerlynnpa@gmail.com Publish: March 26 and April 2, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

COUNTY, FLORIDA. 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 NO LATER THAN THE DATE THAT THE CLERK REPORTS THE FUNDS AS UNCLAIMED. Florida Rules of Judicial Administration Rule 2.540 Notices to Persons With Disabilities If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact Cheryl Alfonso, ADA Coordinator, Court Operations Manager, 502 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040, 305-295-3652 at least 7 days before your scheduled court appearance, or immediately upon receiving this notification if the time before the scheduled appearance is less than 7 days; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call 711.

SPANISH: Si usted es una persona discapacitada que necesita alguna adaptación para poder participar de este procedimiento o evento; usted tiene derecho, sin costo alguno a que se le provea cierta ayuda. Favor de comunicarse con Cheryl Alfonso, Coordinadora de A.D.A Court Operations Manager, 502 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040, 305-295-3652 por lo menos 7 días antes de que tenga que comparecer en corte o inmediatamente después de haber recibido ésta notificación si es que falta menos de 7 días para su comparecencia. Si tiene una discapacidad auditiva ó de habla, llame al 711.

KREYOL: Si ou se yon moun ki kokobé ki bezwen asistans ou aparêy pou ou ka patisipé nan prosedu sa-a, ou gen dwa san ou pa bezwen péyé anyen pou ou jwen on seri de èd. Tanpri kontakté Cheryl Alfonso, Co-ordinator ADA, Court Operations Manager, 502 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040, 305-295-3652O'mwen 7 jou avan ke ou gen pou-ou parèt nan tribunal, ou imediatman ke ou resevwa avis sa-a ou si lè ke ou gen pou-ou alé nan tribunal-la mwens ke 7 jou; Si ou pa ka tandé ou palé byen, rélé 711.

Kevin Madok, CPA CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT Monroe County, Florida By: Shonta McLeod Deputy Clerk of Court Publish: April 2 & 9, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CIVIL DIVISION Case#: 25-CA-000573-K Truist Bank, successor by merger to SunTrust Bank Plaintiff, -vs.Jorge Luis Galiano, Jr.; Ana Maria Galiano; Marlenis Galiano; Oscar Delgado; Unknown Spouse of Jorge Luis Galiano, Jr.; Unknown Spouse of Ana Maria Galiano; Unknown Spouse of Marlenis Galiano; Unknown Spouse of Oscar Delgado; Unknown Parties in Possession #1, if living, and all Unknown Parties claiming by, through, under and against the above named Defendant(s); Unknown Parties in Possession #2, if living, and all Unknown Parties claiming by, through, under and against the above named Defendant(s) Defendant(s).

NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to order rescheduling foreclosure sale or Final Judgment, entered in Civil Case No. 25-CA-000573-K of the Circuit Court of the 16th Judicial Circuit in and for Monroe County, Florida, wherein Truist Bank, successor by merger to SunTrust Bank, Plaintiff and Jorge Luis Galiano, Jr. are defendant(s), I, Clerk of Court, Kevin Madok,CPA, will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash AT THE MONROE COUNTY COURTHOUSE, 500 WHITEHEAD STREET, KEY WEST, FL 33040, AT 11:00 A.M. on April 17, 2026, the following described property as set forth in said Final Judgment, to-wit: LOT 3 OF A SUBDIVISION OF SQUARE 4, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF, AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 2, PAGE 112, MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, RECORDS, SAID SQUARE 4 BEING SHOWN ON KEY WEST REALTY'S CO.'S SUBDIVISION, OF PART OF TRACT 21 AND LOTS 1, 2, 3, 4 AND 5, AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 1 AT PAGE 45, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF MONROE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2025-CC-399-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 April 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 5512, WEEK 2, WINDWARD POINTE, A LEASEHOLD CONDOMINIUM (“CONDOMINIUM”), ACCORDING TO THE DECLARATION OF CONDOMINIUM THEREOF RECORDED IN OFFICIAL RECORDS BOOK 1803, PAGE 844, PUBLIC RECORDS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, AND ALL EXHIBITS 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 9TH day of March 2026 Style of which is: WINDWARD POINTE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION OF KEY WEST, INC., A CORPORATION NOT-FOR-PROFIT UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA

13

APRIL 2, 2026 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES •

305.743.0844

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

HOUSING FOR RENT

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 BERLEY BERRY GENTRY II, DECEASED AND LYNN GENTRY WINSTEAD, AS POTENTIAL HEIR TO BERLEY BERRY GENTRY II Defendant And the Docket Number of which is Number 2025-CC-399-K WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 18TH day of January 2026 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: April 2 & 9, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2025-CC-363-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 April 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 214, WEEK 17, SUNSET HARBOR RESORT, A CONDOMINIUM ACCORDING TO THE DECLARATION OF CONDOMINIUM THEREOF AS RECORDED IN OFFICIAL RECORDS BOOK 1376, PAGE 1093, PUBLIC RECORDS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, AND ALL EXHIBITS THERETO, AND ANY AMENDMENTS THEREOF (HEREAFTER THE “DECLARATION”).

Pursuant to IN REM SUMMARY FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE entered in a case pending in said Court, the 9TH day of March 2026 Style of which is: SUNSET HARBOR RESORT CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, 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 MILDRED NEVINS AKA MILDRED B. NEVINS, DECEASED; MARYJANE WOLFE, AS POTENTIAL HEIR TO MILDRED NEVINS AKA MILDRED B. NEVINS; MILDRED COOMBS, AS POTENTIAL HEIR TO MILDRED NEVINS AKA MILDRED B. NEVINS; JOSEPH MCMULLEN, AS POTENTIAL HEIR TO MILDRED NEVINS AKA MILDRED B. NEVINS; EDWARD MCMULLEN, AS POTENTIAL HEIR TO MILDRED NEVINS AKA MILDRED B. NEVINS; JOHN MCMULLEN, AS POTENTIAL HEIR TO MILDRED NEVINS AKA MILDRED B. NEVINS; FRANCES PEAGLER, AS POTENTIAL HEIR TO MILDRED NEVINS AKA MILDRED B. NEVINS; AND MARGARET NEUMANN, AS POTENTIAL HEIR TO MILDRED NEVINS AKA MILDRED B. NEVINS Defendant And the Docket Number of which is Number 2025-CC-363-K WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 18TH day of January 2026 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: April 2 & 9, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

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) IV entered in a case pending in said Court, the 9TH day of March 2026 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 ROBERT DUANE SHAPPEE, DECEASED, UNKNOWN SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE OF THE ROBERT D. SHAPPEE LIVING TRUST; LAURA SILVERMAN, AS POTENTIAL PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF ROBERT D. SHAPPEE; AND AMY SERAFIN, AS POTENTIAL PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF ROBERT D. SHAPPEE Defendant And the Docket Number of which is Number 2024-CC-658-K WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 18TH day of January 2026 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: April 2 & 9, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

TO SHEENA HOULT SHUMATE Defendant And the Docket Number of which is Number 2024-CC-539-K WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 18TH day of January 2026 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: April 2 & 9, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

Coast To Coast Pizza Company is looking for pizza makers and cashiers.

Self-motivated, experience very helpful, quick learner, and team player. Salary includes 401k match up to 6% and negotiable based on experience. Please call Nicole at 305-433-0515 or email nicole@themoongroupfl.com

PLACE YOUR EMPLOYMENT AD HERE. $25/week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305743-0844 or E-mail: Anneke @keysweekly.com

Key Largo- 6 months+ canal front rental on Blackwater Sound. 40' dockage, 1 BR/1 BA Trailer with 1,000 sq. ft. living area. $2,300/mo. 904237-9090 or 904-338-1207

I IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2025-CC-74-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 April 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 5523, WEEK 50 OF WINDWARD POINTE, A LEASEHOLD CONDOMINIUM (“CONDOMINIUM”), ACCORDING TO THE DECLARATION OF CONDOMINIUM THEREOF RECORDED IN OFFICIAL RECORDS BOOK 1803, PAGE 844, PUBLIC RECORDS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, AND ALL EXHIBITS 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 9TH day of March 2026 Style of which is: WINDWARD POINTE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION OF KEY WEST, INC., A CORPORATION NOT-FOR-PROFIT UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA Plaintiff vs.

BECKY LOUISE HOPPER 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 ROBERT EUGENE HOPPER, DECEASED Defendant And the Docket Number of which is Number 2025-CC-74-K WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 18TH day of January 2026 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: April 2 & 9, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2024-CC-658-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 April 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 F12, WEEK 10, BEACH HOUSE, A CONDOMINIUM ACCORDING TO THE DECLARATION OF CONDOMINIUM THEREOF

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2024-CC-539-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 April 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 5434, WEEK 36, ANNUAL WINDWARD POINTE, A LEASEHOLD CONDOMINIUM (“CONDOMINIUM”), ACCORDING TO THE DECLARATION OF CONDOMINIUM THEREOF RECORDED IN OFFICIAL RECORDS BOOK 1803, PAGE 844, PUBLIC RECORDS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, AND ALL EXHIBITS THERETO, AND ANY AMENDMENTS THEREOF (THE “DECLARATION”).

Pursuant to IN REM SUMMARY FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE entered in a case pending in said Court, the 9TH day of March 2026 Style of which is: WINDWARD POINTE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION OF KEY WEST, INC., A CORPORATION NOT-FOR-PROFIT 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 SHEENA HOULT SHUMATE, DECEASED AND TERENCE GALLAGHER, AKA TERRY GALLAGHER, AS POTENTIAL HEIR

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 404-2193359 and ask for Dave.

AUTOS WANTED AUTOS ALL YEARS! Junk or Used Cars, Vans, Trucks.

Runs or Not.BOAT MISC. FOR SALE

Used NEPTUNE 4-post BOAT LIFT For Sale.

15,000 lbs.+ Located in Marathon. $800.00 2 6 0 - 7 5 0 - 6 4 7 9 BOAT SLIP/RACK FOR RENT

Boat Slip &/or Rack for Rent in Marathon at The Boat House, Vaca Key. Call Tony 561-346-6400

EMPLOYMENT Hiring for busy pediatric office in Tavernier. FullTime Medical Assistant/ RN - Pediatric experience preferred. Must multitask in fast-paced setting. Also hiring Full-Time Front Desk Staff Experience with insurance verification and EMR required.

Strong multitasking skills.

Pay is commensurate with experience. Email resume to: flkeyspeds@gmail.com PART-TIME USCG CAPTAIN – MARATHON Local captain needed to run owner’s 55’ twin engine trawler while owner fishes. Sunrise–2/3 PM typical. Good opportunity for newer captain to log hours on a larger boat. Pay DOE. Call/Text 970-901-1138 Handyman needed for residence on Grassy Key. Part-time, High Pay! Call: 305-395-0478 Boat rental company in Marathon looking for help with boat detailing & boat cleaning. Call 305-481-7006 HIRING: Office Administrator in Marathon. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), experience with QuickBooks or other accounting software preferred and must have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. Full time – Mon-Fri. Pay TBD - based on skill. Email: Natalie@cecflk.com Part-time Office Clerk, $18/ hr, Thu/Fri/Sat, 9:30am-7pm.

Apply in person at 425 E. Ocean Dr. Key Colony Beach or call 404-219-3359 and ask for Dave The SS Wreck & Galley Grill (mile marker 59) is looking for a line cooks and fryers.

Self-motivated, experience very helpful but will train, quick learner, and team player.

Salary includes 401k match up to 6% and negotiable based on experience. Please call Nicole at 305-433-0515 or email nicole@themoongroupfl.com

S e r v e / B a r t e n d on the ocean! The Cabana Club, an ocean front private swim club is seeking a customer service-oriented Server/Bartender.

Serve on pool deck, beach and/ or bar lounge. Open year round, 9:30am-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 404-2193359 and ask for Dave.

The Housing Authority of the City of Key West now hiring the following positions: Full-time Carpenter, Electrician, Housing Assistant & Project Manager. To apply, please contact Human Resources at: greenel@kwha. org or 305-296-5621 ext. 225.

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.

Key West Cooling Company is hiring HVAC technicians and installers.

We are looking for dedicated individuals that are ready to work.

For more information please can or text us at 305-912-2293 or send an email to keywestcoolingcompany @ gmail.com Compensation is based on experience.

Job Title: Coffee Roaster Location: Key West, FL Job Duties: Roast coffee beans using commercial roasting equipment; monitor roast profiles and quality; maintain consistency across batches; manage green coffee inventory; perform routine maintenance and cleaning of roasting equipment; assist with packaging and production as needed.

Minimum Requirements: Minimum of 5 years of experience in coffee roasting.

No formal education required.

Must be able to work nights and weekends. Must have reliable transportation to and from work.

How to Apply: Please call 305-509-9215 or email babyscoffeeusa@gmail.com.

Hiring for busy pediatric office in Tavernier. FullTime Medical Assistant/ RN - Pediatric experience preferred. Must multitask in fast-paced setting. Also hiring Full-Time Front Desk Staff Experience with insurance verification and EMR required.

Strong multitasking skills.

Pay is commensurate with experience. Email resume to: flkeyspeds@gmail.com HIRED IN LESS THAN FIVE WEEKS!!!

HOBBIES/COLLECT. PRIVATE COLLECTOR WANTS Rolex, Dive Watches and Pilot Watches.

Old Model Military Clocks & Watches.

Call 305-743-4578 TURN YOUR CARDS INTO CASH! Marathon collector buying any and all Pokemon cards & collections.

Call 401-256-0645.

3/2 Tavernier waterfront & bay views, furnished, 1500 sq.ft. $3,250/month, no pets, no smoking. 954-728-4699 Studio rental in Marathon, long-term, fully furnished, price includes water, electric, internet, gas, pest, and lawn @ $2200 all in. Call or text 3054330515

HOUSING FOR RENT

NOW HIRING FULL TIME POSITIONS

LICENSED (or will train) ACCOUNT PROCESSOR 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!

WE ARE HIRING Early Morning Baker (Weekends) Cashier / Barista / Server Apply in person at: Vicky Bakery 97630 Overseas Highway (mm 97) Key Largo, FL 33037 KeyLargo@VickyBakery.com

SUDOKU SOLUTION

14

KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS / APRIL 2, 2026

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES 305.743.0844 • CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES • •305.743.0844 HOUSING FOR RENT

Keys Energy Services, in Key West, Florida, is accepting applications for the following position in its Customer Services Department:

Furnished Studio AND 2 Bedroom unfurnished, all appliances, renovated, for rent in Marathon. On the water, gated property.

Section 8 possible. $1,500 - $2,500 month - includes water, sewer, electric & garbage. Call 305-610-8002

CUSTOMER SERVICES REPRESENTATIVE I Starting pay rate for this position, depending on qualifications and experience: $23.93/hr. - $26.80/hr.

3 BR/2 BA home for rent in Key Colony Beach. 75' premium dock. $4,000/month + utilities. F/L/S 786-229-0228 RENTED!

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.

PLACE YOUR HOUSING FOR RENT AD HERE. $25/ week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305-7430844 or E-mail: Anneke @keysweekly.com

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.

STORAGE AVAIL. Gated storage & dockage available in Marathon oceanside. Starting price $10/ foot per month for storage and $20/foot per month for dockage. 305-610-8002

VACATION RENTAL 3BR/2BA Contemporary Home for rent on Big Pine Key. Pool, 40' dock w/davits, screened-in porch. Sleeps 6 ppl. Avail. month of July & Sept. 2026. $7,000/mo.

Call Brian at 267-374-7063

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

Keys Energy Services, in Key West, Florida, is accepting applications for the following position in its Transmission & Distribution Department:

FAMILY MINISTRY DIRECTOR PARTTIME Kirk of the Keys in Marathon is seeking a part-time Family Ministry Director to help make it simple for families in the Florida Keys to connect to Jesus and one another.

This role works alongside the Senior Pastor to oversee children’s ministry (birth–5th grade), support family discipleship, equip volunteers, and help create an environment where kids and parents are known and welcomed.

10–12 hours per week, flexible schedule, salary based on experience.

To apply or learn more visit: KirkoftheKeys.org or contact Josh Roberts at 484.757.9119

NOW HIRING IN ISLAMORADA MARINA CASHIERS

Must have customer service experience working in a retail environment and using a point of sale system.

Additional duties include restocking, completing purchase orders, daily ordering of basic items in the store, and maintaining a clean appearance in the store.

This is an hourly position and compensation is based on experience. Work hours are flexible and we try to maintain a set weekly schedule.

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.

D'Asign Source is seeking the following professionals. Overtime and benefits are available.

Home Décor Sales Consultant Customer-focused sales professional with experience in retail or customer service. Creativity and interest in home décor a must. Help customers discover pieces that turn everyday spaces into something special.

Kitchen Design Specialist Individual who brings creativity, functionality, and style together in kitchen and bath design. Design kitchens that become the heart of the home.

Associate Interior Designer Detail-oriented and creative individual to assist with residential design projects.

Education or experience in Interior Design required. Help bring inspired residential interiors to life.

For complete details and to apply, please visit DAsignSource.com/careers

NOW HIRING DIVE INSTRUCTOR Pay: $160.00 per day Guaranteed Pay + Tips + Commission.

Affordable employee housing available.

Job Description: Dive Instructor No bad weather days!

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time Flexible Schedule Call 305-407-3262 or email info@floridakeysaquariumencounters.com 11710 OVERSEAS HWY, MARATHON

NOW HIRING FRONT OFFICE/ MANAGER APPLY IN PERSON AT: Bonefish Bay Motel & RV Sites 12565 Overseas Highway, Marathon or Email: bfb@bonefishbayresort.com

DOCKHANDS

Duties include customer service, helping customers with bait and ice and helping cashiers with restocking.

Morning & afternoon hours available.

BOAT RENTAL STAFF

Flexible hours & competitive wages. Need to have experience driving boats and a working knowledge of the Islamorada area by water. Duties include taking reservations, giving captains lessons and routine boat maintenance.

Email Matt at islamarinamatt@gmail.com Please include contact information and any relevant experience.

HEAVY EQUIPMENT DIESEL MECHANIC

SUNSET GRILLE NOW HIRING

We are hiring a heavy diesel mechanic with experience working on John Deere, Caterpillar, Kubota, Detroit Diesel, etc. Monday-Friday with some overtime available. Sign on bonus after 90 days; top pay and housing assistance available.

BARTENDERS WAIT STAFF - HOST/HOSTESS BUS PERSONS

Please apply at Charley Toppino & Sons, Inc., 129 Toppino Industrial Drive, Key West or online at https://charleytoppinoandsons.com/careers/apply/?job

SUNSET GRILLE & RAW BAR

Apply in person at

7 Knight’s Key Blvd, Marathon

15

APRIL 2, 2026 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC && LEGAL NOTICES • • 305.743.0844 • CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC LEGAL NOTICES 305.743.0844

Work with the BEST

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 NONPROFIT HELPING PEOPLE COPE AND CHANGE FOR 52 YEARS! We provide Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment Programs to the Florida Keys community while valuing and rewarding our employees.

KEY LARGO

Behavioral Health Counselor (CAT) Prevention Specialist Case Manager (Adult)

KEY WEST

Case Manager (Children) Mental Health Technician (PT or FT) Behavioral Health Therapist (Children) Crisis Counselor Behavioral Health Counselor (Children) Prevention Specialist

MARATHON

HR Assistant/Recruiter Mental Health Technician Driver Registered Nurse (FT, PT) *Support Worker (Assisted Living) (FT) *Behavioral Health Technicians – 3 Shifts (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

NOW HIRING 81043 MAINTENANCE WORKER (ELECTRONIC SYSTEM KEY WEST) Electronic Maintenance Tech wanted.

Lower Keys position, reporting in Key West.

Full time job with benefits, vacation time and holidays.

Apply at keysschools.com or call 305-293-1400 ext. 53398

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

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

MIAMI CANCER INSTITUTE KEY WEST - Pool Radiation Therapist

TAVERNIER MARINERS HOSPITAL

- Clinical Pharmacist, $5k Bonus - Construction Project Manager, FL - Cook, Dietary, $5k Bonus - Environmental Tech, Environmental Services, $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 2, (Echo & Vascular w/Ultrasound Preferred), $25k Bonus - Multi-Modality Imaging Tech, MRI, $25k Bonus - Physical Therapist, $25k Bonus - Pool Clinical Pharmacist, Per Diem - Pool Group Exercise Instructor, Per Diem - Pool Medical Technologist - Pool Pharmacy Tech - Pool Registered Nurse, Cardiac Rehab - Registered Nurse, ICU, $15k Bonus - Registered Nurse, Multispecialty Acute Care Center, $25k Bonus - Registered Nurse, Surgery, $15k Bonus - Social Work Case Manager, Per Diem, 9:30A-6P - Security Officer, FT, 6A-6:30P

MARATHON FISHERMEN’S COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

- Cook, Dietary, PT - Driver, Marathon/Keys Supply Chain, FT - Manager Environmental Services, FT - Medical Staff Coordinator, FT - Multi-Modality Imaging Tech 1, (CT & X Ray), Radiology, $25k Bonus - Patient Care Manager (Nurse Manager), Surgery, $20k Bonus - Patient Schedular, Surgery, PT - Pool Physical Therapist, Per Diem - Registered Nurse, Emergency Department, Per Diem - Registered Nurse, Multispecialty Acute Care Center, Various Shifts & Statuses - Registered Nurse, Multispecialty Acute Care, Per Diem, 7P-7:30A - Registered Respiratory Therapist, $25k Bonus - Registered Respiratory Therapist, PT, $12,500 Bonus - 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

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Monroe Concrete

operate the only FDOT-certified ready-mix plants in the Florida Keys.

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1500 107th Street Gulf Marathon, 305-743-5800