Upper Keys Weekly 26-1029 by Keys Weekly Newspapers

‘There are three things that I’ve learned never to discuss with people: religion, politics and the Great Pumpkin.’ — Linus

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October 29, 2026

ROARIN’ THRILLER

KING TIDES

Flooding disrupts neighborhoods | P. 4

Park turns into Halloween town | P. 20

A little more to be Grateful For Thanksgiving is a time to reconnect with the people and sounds that make life worth living. If you’re struggling to hear, schedule a comprehensive hearing evaluation with Dr. Michelle today!

DECISION DAY The election’s key races | P. 9

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / OCTOBER 29, 2026

LUXURY ISLAND PROPERTY

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LUXURY ISLAND PROPERTY

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PRICE NEW REDUCED LISTING

74560 OVERSEAS 94220 OVERSEAS HWY, HWY, #1D &ISLAMORADA 28’ BS, TAVERNIER

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2 BR/2 BA - 1,152 SQ. FT. - $875,000 MM 93/OCEANSIDE

3 BR/2 BA - 1,406 SQ. FT. - $725,000 MM 106/BAYSIDE

2 BR/1 BA - $399,000 - MM 101.5/ BAYSIDE

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NEW LISTING 500 BURTON DR. #3310, TAVERNIER

PRICE REDUCED 136 AREGOOD LANE, ISLAMORADA

LUXURY ISLAND PROPERTY 95480 & 90 OVERSEAS HWY, KEY LARGO

2BR/2BA - 826 SQ. FT. - $589,500 MM 92/OCEANSIDE

2BR/2.5BA - 1,152 SQ. FT. - $780,000 MM 88.5/OCEANSIDE

10BR/9BA - 5,392 SQ. FT. - $6,500,000 MM 92/BAYSIDE

ELIZABETH JOLIN 305.393.0994

CHRISTY HUGHES 305.393.6190

ALINA DAVIS 305.393.0541

LUXURY ISLAND PROPERTY 88547 OLD HWY, PLANTATION KEY

LUXURY ISLAND PROPERTY 80902 OLD HWY, ISLAMORADA

LUXURY ISLAND PROPERTY 77340 OVERSEAS HWY, ISLAMORADA

4BR/3BA - 4,103 SQ FT - $6,500,000 MM 88.5/OCEANSIDE

4BR/3BA - 3,550 SQ. FT. - $2,950,000 MM 82/OCEANSIDE

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KEY LARGO 100430 Overseas Highway 305.451.4422 ISLAMORADA 85996 Overseas Highway 305.664.4470

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / OCTOBER 29, 2026

MESSAGE FROM THE SHERIFF Plantation Key Colony Halloween traffic advisory Please help the Sheriff’s Office by spreading the word to motorists traveling in the Plantation Key Colony neighborhood between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Halloween, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, regarding changes intended to provide a safe environment for trick-or-treaters. • All vehicles entering Plantation Key Colony will utilize Royal Poinciana Boulevard. At Coconut Palm Boulevards, vehicles will be directed to turn right or left • All vehicles leaving will utilize Royal Poinciana Boulevard • Please see the graphic, the QR code, and MCSO social media pages for one-way street directions during these times The area will be residential parking only. Reduce speed, watch carefully for children, and adhere to all posted signs as well as directions from law enforcement. Pedestrians should wear reflective clothing and carry flashlights. Thank you for helping us keep our children safe! Have a safe and happy Halloween! Scan to learn more

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Monroe County Sheriff, Rick Ramsay

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / OCTOBER 29, 2026

KEYS

NEWSPAPERS

89240 Overseas Hwy. Suite 2 Tavernier, FL 33070 Office: 305.363.2957 www.keysweekly.com Publisher / Jason Koler jason@keysweekly.com Publishing Partner / Britt Myers britt@keysweekly.com

$13.5B

Just how much will consumers spend on spooking trickor-treaters and filling their buckets with candy this year? According to the National Retail Federation, consumer spending is expected to hit $13.5 billion this year. Activities like handing out candy, dressing in a costume, decorating the house and carving pumpkins are among the top ways consumers mark the occasion.

The Jurassic World display created by Javier Reyes and his family won first place in the eighth annual Trunk or Treat at Islamorada’s Founders Park on Oct. 24. The Mobleys are also pictured. CONTRIBUTED

‘SUNNY DAY’ FLOODING

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 BY WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, INC., 9709 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, MARATHON FL 33050. APPLICATION TO MAIL AT PERIODICALS POSTAGE RATES IS PENDING AT FORT LAUDERDALE FL AND ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES. All stories, photos, and graphics are copyrighted materials. Postmaster SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO THE KEYS WEEKLY, 9709 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, MARATHON FL 33050

Saltwater from king tides plagues streets and neighborhoods Saltwater inundates Stillwright Way and North Blackwater Lane inside Stillwright Point in Key Largo on Oct. 26. EMILIE STEWART/Contributed

JIM McCARTHY

jim@keysweekly.com

lue skies and sunshine have graced the Florida Keys in recent days with only a little rain, yet some streets and neighborhoods are so flooded that driving a car might not be a good idea. Blame the strong king tides, which continue to plague many lowlying areas across South Florida and the Keys. The saltwater flooding is so bad the National Weather Service Key West has issued a coastal flood warning for the Upper Keys, from north Key Largo through Islamorada, for the past several days. Major saltwater flooding was notably seen at the Stillwright Point subdivision in Key Largo at the beginning of the week. “You cannot get a car down North Blackwater today,” resident Emilie Stewart told Keys Weekly on Oct. 26. “It is as deep now as it had been past years after a hurricane.”

News Deadline Monday Noon Advertising Deadline Tuesday 2 p.m. @KeysWeekly @theWeekly Members of

King tides bring heavy saltwater flooding to Stillwright Point’s Sexton Way. EMILIE STEWART/Contributed

Stewart said the brutal king tides have brought nearly 18 inches of saltwater along the mangroves, which are located not too far from the road. Manatee Bay and Barnes Sound were also experiencing major saltwater flooding. Key Largo Fire Rescue advised residents in low-lying areas to move their cars to higher ground ahead of the rising waters. Jon Rizzo, warning coordination meteorologist for NWS Key West, said a combination of the recent full moon, highest tides of the year and latest build-up of water caused by Subtropical Storm Josephine late last week are bringing some of the highest water levels observed outside of an actual storm. “Streets, parking lots, docks and yards that are frequently overtopped by typical king tide flooding could see water levels nearly a full foot higher than in ‘typical’ king tide events,” Rizzo told Keys Weekly. Residents in low-lying areas like Stillwright Point are all too familiar with the scene of roads and streets inundated by saltwater this time of year. King tides in fall 2019 covered roads and streets for 94 consecutive days inside the community located at MM 105. While it wasn’t the first time residents experienced flooded roads due to king tides, the period in which the saltwater stayed was alarming to many in the community. Recent saltwater flooding inside Stillwright Point affected garbage pickup and mail delivery, Stewart said. Some people had their trash out to

A vehicle attempts to navigate a saltwaterladen road at Stillwright Point on Oct. 27. JASON RAFTER PHOTOGRAPHY/Contributed

start the week as the waters began to inundate the roads and streets. “So now it’s in the flood water,” Stewart said. Residents inside Stillwright went through years hoping a project could remediate the issues seen each fall. But it was all kiboshed when the county commission in June 205 elected to forgo a $40 million project to address the flooding from king tides and heavy rainfall. The work would have raised the roads some 2.65 feet, while building a pump station to move water off the driving surface in the bayside subdivision. The county couldn’t get the Stillwright community in full support to give up 10 feet of their properties via easements to accommodate water retention and treatment. National Weather Service Key West said moderate to major coastal flooding is expected to continue through the end of the month. Rizzo said vehicles either driving through or parked in saltwater should rinse them with freshwater to avoid corrosion. As for mariners, he said having more scope on the dock lines (more slack) should account for the higher tides, and the clearance under bridges will likely be a little less than as published on marine charts around the hours of high tide. Key Largo Fire Rescue is advising residents against driving or walking through flooded roads, as water can hide potholes, debris and washouts. More information is at weather. gov/key/coastal_flooding.

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / OCTOBER 29, 2026

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / OCTOBER 29, 2026

S AV E A L L I G AT O R L I G H T H O U S E PRESENTS

REIGNITE

LIGHT

UPPER KEYS BPW HONORS WOMAN AND BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

the

A NIGHT FOR THE LIGHT A n e v e n i n g b e n e fi t i n g t h e r e s t o r a t i o n o f

ALLIGATOR REEF LIGHTHOUSE FOUNDERS PARK, ISLAMORADA, FL SATURDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2026 C O C K TA I L AT T I R E

COCKTAILS 5:30 PM

RED, WHITE & BLUE

TICKETS & DETAILS

S AV E A L L I G AT O R L I G H T H O U S E . O R G

Scholarships awarded at annual celebration From left, nominees Kate Banick, Ginette Hughes, Jill Kuehnert; Bonnie Barnes, Upper Keys BPW president; Manuela Mobley, 2026 Woman of the Year; nominees Rose Littlejohn, Natalie Shea and Sue Woltanski. BPW/Contributed

n Oct. 21, more than 60 honorees, members and guests gathered at Baker’s Cay Resort in Key Largo for the annual Upper Keys Business & Professional Women (BPW) “Celebration of Working Women.” Manuela Mobley was named 2026 Woman of the Year. A tireless volunteer, Mobley was recognized for her wide-reaching service to the Upper Keys community, including her recent effort to collect food and supplies for earthquake survivors in Venezuela. Amoray Divers, owned by Cynthia and Jeff Gneiser, was named 2026 Business of the Year. Amoray Divers was recognized for promoting responsible diving and reef stewardship, for its long-term support of Upper Keys BPW and for its inclusive culture that empowers women at all levels in a historically male-dominated industry. “Manuela never says no when there’s important work to be done, and Cynthia has spent years supporting women’s empowerment through her business and her work with BPW,” said Bonnie Barnes, Upper Keys BPW president. “They both lead by lifting up the people around them and making a real difference in our community, and that’s what these awards are all about. We congratulate them and all of this year’s outstanding nominees.” Also nominated for 2026 Woman of the Year were Kate Banick, Ginette Hughes, Jill Kuehnert, Rose Littlejohn, Natalie Shea and Sue Woltanski. Other nominees for 2026 Business of the Year were Barefoot Possibilities, First State Bank, Regan Roth Insurance and

Shen Health and Wellness. Women’s scholarships awarded The evening included the presentation of $5,000 in scholarships to four local women: Cassandra Clark, Jessica Dockery, Gabriella O’Connor and Josly Quintero. The Upper Keys BPW adult women’s scholarship program provides financial assistance to working women who live in the Upper Keys and are pursuing education or training to advance their careers. Scholarships are awarded twice a year, in May and October. “We had an unprecedented number of applicants this fall,” said Littlejohn, Upper Keys BPW scholarship chair and vice president of membership. “Thanks to the generosity of our members, sponsors and donors, we’ve been able to steadily increase the amount we award each year to invest in the futures of hardworking local women.” The event and the 2026 Woman of the Year and Business of the Year awards were sponsored by SouthState Bank. The Upper Keys BPW, an affiliate of BPW/Florida, is the largest membership organization supporting working women in the Upper Keys, with more than 100 members from Islamorada to Ocean Reef. Its mission is to achieve equity for all working women through advocacy, education and connections. More information is at upperkeysbpw. org. — Contributed

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / OCTOBER 29, 2026

Senior Medicare Fraud Everything You Need to Know

Wednesday, November 4th at 11:00 am Join SHINE’s (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) local program representatives from the Area Agency on Aging as they educate us about current scams and fraud schemes impacting older adults. Learn tips to protect, detect, and report suspected scams and fraud. Lunch will be provided.

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / OCTOBER 29, 2026

GOVERNOR SIGNS ELECTION TO DECIDE FLORIDA DEATH WARRANT GOVERNOR, STATE SENATOR FOR MAN WHO Sunshine State also has key races for U.S. Senate, House KILLED KEYS COUPLE, UNBORN BABY IN 1991 JIM McCARTHY

jim@keysweekly.com

man convicted of strangling and killing a couple at their Tavernier home in 1991 will be executed, after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a death warrant on Oct. 21. In 1996, Thomas MitchThomas Mitchell Overton ell Overton was arrested following a breakthrough in the case. A jury convicted him of firstdegree murder in the deaths of Michael, who was a pilot, and Susan MacIvor, a third-grade teacher. Jurors also recommended he be put to death. By March 1999, he was sentenced to death for the murders. Decades later, Overton’s death warrant was signed by the governor. He is set to be put to death on Nov. 19 at 6 p.m. This is the 20th death warrant signed by DeSantis this year. According to investigators, the MacIvors were found blind-folded and strangled to death inside their residence. Susan was eight months pregnant at the time. The baby lived up to 30 minutes after his mother died, and there was evidence he attempted to breathe on his own. Overton was also convicted of burglary and sexual assault. Investigators determined through evidence collection that Overton raped Susan. Investigators found presumptive seminal stains on her pubic area, buttocks and inner thighs and on a fitted sheet and mattress pad. Swabs from her body failed to reveal the presence of sperm cells. But subsequent testing established that the DNA in the stains from the bedding matched Overton’s DNA. The Florida Supreme Court affirmed his convictions and sentence. The U.S. Supreme Court denied certiorari. In the following years, Overton, now 70, attempted postconviction litigation in state and federal courts. Those tries were unsuccessful, as he was denied postconviction relief. A letter from James Uthmeier, Florida’s attorney general, to DeSantis states there are no stays of execution issued by any court in this case. — Keys Weekly staff report

ess than a week remains before a general election will decide who will be Florida’s next governor. Gov. Ron DeSantis’ time as governor is just about up, and hoping to lead the Sunshine State come January 2027 are Republican Byron Donalds, a current congressman, and David Jolly, a Democrat who also spent time in Washington, D.C. Donalds served in the Florida House from 2016 to 2020. During his time in Tallahassee, he chaired the House Insurance and Banking Subcommittee. “Florida cannot become too expensive for working families and seniors on fixed incomes. The status quo has a cost. Progress doesn’t pay the bill sitting on your kitchen counter today — it’s time to bring down costs,” Donalds said. Jolly served in Congress for Florida’s 13th district as a Republican from 2014-17. He is an attorney and has spent nearly a decade as a political analyst on NBC and MSNBC. “Believing in better isn’t just a campaign slogan. I really mean that,” Jolly said. “I believe that we can do better for so many people here in the state of Florida. I believe that we can have better housing, better healthcare, better education, but more importantly, I believe that we can be better to one another.” The two governor hopefuls never took the stage to debate one another in person. But they’ve traded plenty of jabs over their records and plans. High costs facing residents in the Sunshine State and data centers have been two of the major issues heard throughout the governor’s race. Other key races include the U.S. Senate race between Republican incumbent Ashley Moody and Democrat Angie Nixon. The winner will fill the remaining two years of Marco Rubio’s term. Rubio was tapped by the president for U.S. Secretary of State, and Moody was appointed by DeSantis in 2025. Moody is a former attorney general for Florida. Nixon has been a state representative for the Jacksonville area since 2020. In the House, voters in South Florida and the Keys will decide between Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez, Democrat Phil Ehr and non-party affiliate Eddy Rojas for District 28. Gimenez was first elected to the U.S. House in 2020. He’s a former mayor of Miami-Dade County. Ehr is a retired U.S. Navy commander. Voters will also decide Florida attorney general between Republican James Uthmeier and Democrat José Javier Rodríguez; chief financial officer between Republican Blaise Ingoglia and Democrat Annette Taddeo; and agriculture commissioner between Republican Wilton Simpson and Democrat Joey Mendoza Atkins.

Byron Donalds

David Jolly

Voters in South Florida and the Florida Keys will also decide the next state senator for District 40. Republican incumbent Ana Maria Rodriguez is seeking another term to serve constituents in Tallahassee. She’s being challenged by Democrat Jose Antonio Stoute and non-party affiliate Ramiro Orta. In the Florida Keys, only a few local races are taking place this election cycle. Key Largo voters will decide which three of the five candidates will serve on the Key Largo Wastewater Treatment board. The candidates include John Brooke, Matthew Hardee, Robby Majeska, Anna Moon and Jose Peixoto. In Islamorada, four seats are up for grabs as eight candidates seek to serve the council. For the past several weeks, the candidates have answered questions posed by the Keys Weekly on a range of topics from their plans for village properties to the budget and their priorities. Village voters will also see several charter amendments which include increasing the length of office from two to three years in order to stagger terms. Currently, the five seats are up for election every two years. There’s also questions on the ballot related to filling vacancies when a council member leaves less than 6 months in and the need for a supermajority vote on matters related to village-owned property. Voters will also be asked whether they support sending a justice back to the Supreme Court and several judges back to the Third District Court of Appeals. And there are three constitutional amendments on the ballot. The most notable one is Amendment 3, which would increase the homestead property exemption to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028. It would also cap the annual assessment increases on nonhomesteaded property from 10% to 5%. The proposed constitutional amendments need 60% voter approval in the state. As of Oct. 28, 14,830 county voters either voted early or sent their ballots via the mail. There are 54,683 registered voters in Monroe County. Early voting concludes Saturday, Oct. 31 at 5 p.m. Voting on Election Day runs from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Election Night results as they come in can be found at votemonroeflkeys.gov.

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / OCTOBER 29, 2026

THE RACE FOR ISLAMORADA VILLAGE COUNCIL Candidates discuss matters facing the community JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

our seats on the Islamorada Village Council are up for election in November. Running for the seats are eight candidates hoping to serve residents. For the past few weeks, the Upper Keys Weekly has asked the candidates about a variety of topics in the village.

SEAT 1

Anna Richards 1. The challenge I hear most facing Islamorada is always balancing growth and redevelopment while protecting our environment and the quality of life that this community loves. As a Florida Keys resident for 45 years and small business owner for 30 years, I understand the importance of preserving while addressing the needs of the residents here. I work daily with homeowners, attorneys, banks, title companies, contractors along with many of the local and state agencies on a range of issues. I believe working together we can accomplish many goals instead of battling against one another. Meeting with the involved parties to particular issues to work out the concerns one on one I feel is always the best way to come to resolutions. 2. I bring a combination of local knowledge, professional experience and community involvement serving the Village Council. I have watched our community grow and change over the years as a kid myself then raising my own children here and now my grandchildren whom hopefully can grow up in the same place that I have if we work to protect it physically and fiscally. Working in the Land Surveying business has given me extensive knowledge of land use, development, floodplain regulations and challenges that face the residents. My qualifications are: Current Councilwoman Seat 1, Certified Floodplain Manager, Florida licensed Realtor, Leadership Monroe Class 33 graduate, Past President and Board Member of Upper Keys Rotary, Board Member of Fair Insurance Rates of Monroe (FIRM), Islamorada Chamber of Commerce member along with other professional organizations. I also have Emergency Management training, including advanced incident command, emergency operations, GIS and Community emergency response to name a few. I continue to volunteer and sponsor many local events, being involved in the community and relevant is the only way to truly know what is going on, where the most needs lie and how the residents feel regarding the issues we encounter.

Joe Wischmeier 1. There are many issues facing Islamorada. Fiscal responsibility, workforce housing, wastewater, traffic and responsible development just to name a few. If I had to pick one it would be between fiscal responsibility and wastewater. Since we have the ability to control our finances, I will concentrate on wastewater. Since wastewater is an enterprise fund, it is supposed to be self-sufficient. It has never been. Now they are going to raise our rates. For years I have been suggesting that we need to review and update our EDU count. Due to poor design we are spending millions of dollars to correct problems constantly. There have been 9 sewer breaks into our environment at mm 92 alone. The state of Florida got involved and gave Islamorada a mandate to find a cure. Now we are spending between 7 and 10 million dollars to build another pump station with mixed reviews as to whether it will fix the hammering effect that is causing problems. Key Largo has a wastewater board to handle only wastewater. They keep their rates low and you don’t hear about leaking sewerage. Islamorada uses its public works department. We should concentrate on persuading Key Largo to take over our troubled system. 2. My wife and I have lived and worked in Islamorada for over 30 years. My wife is a math teacher at Coral Shores High School for 32 years. I was a sailboat charter captain for Florida Sea Base teaching our youth how to sail, fish and snorkel while living on a 41-foot boat for 6 days. The phrase that I heard most often was “you live in paradise.” While this statement is true, I was teaching kids from all over the country how important it is for all of us to preserve our paradise. The decisions you make now will affect generations to come. The same is true in government; the decisions we make now on council will affect future generations. I understand our mission statement: to protect residents’ right to a quiet enjoyment of life, to enhance our village character, to preserve our community, its people, natural resources and pride and provide services to support our quality of life. I speak at almost every council meeting. Many residents of Islamorada encouraged me to run for council because they supported my views. That is why I am running for Village Council. Help me preserve our paradise.

The Upper Keys Weekly asked the candidates: 1. What’s the biggest issue that continues to face Islamorada? And what steps would you take to address it? 2. What qualifications, experiences do you have that make you the best candidate for a seat on the Islamorada Village Council?

SEAT 2

Steve Friedman 1. Guarding against overdevelopment and protecting our water quality are the most important issues we face, not only in Islamorada, but across the entire chain of islands. Our economy is based on tourism and they come to enjoy, not only the views, but recreate in and around the nearshore waters and nearby Everglades National Park. It was alarming last year when no other council members were willing to second our motion for a resolution opposing the $1 billion boondoggle detention facility in the Everglades that risked potential harm to our $1 trillion economic engine, the Everglades and Florida Bay. Given the billions being spent on Everglades restoration and restoring the fresh water flow to Florida Bay, our council must oppose anything that threatens our way of life. 2. I am the only candidate with a proven record to be transparent and call out issues that are detrimental to the Islamorada community. While others seem to care more about what Tallahassee might say if we vote against their attempts at removing our authority of Home Rule, or governing ourselves without interference from the state.

Deb Gillis 1. The biggest continuing challenge facing Islamorada is maintaining our quality of life while managing growth. The challenge is not whether Islamorada should grow, but how we manage growth and redevelopment responsibly while protecting our environment, infrastructure and small-town character. I voted for additional BPAS allocations because I believe there needs to be a fair balance for residents who own legally buildable properties. We need to be thoughtful about how development and redevelopment affect housing, traffic, infrastructure and our environment. Planning tools such as BPAS and TDRs can help balance property rights, housing needs and responsible development. Workforce housing is an important part of that equation. Creating more housing opportunities for people who work in our community, combined with better public transportation, could help address housing and traffic concerns. Our new Comprehensive Plan addresses traffic and identifies potential solutions, and we need to move those ideas toward implementation. Responsible growth also means making wise use of existing properties and infrastructure, not focusing only on new development. We need to protect our natural resources while addressing the needs of those who live and work here. My approach is to do the homework, listen to residents and make thoughtful decisions that balance these needs. 2. My voting record reflects my commitment to fair processes for all Islamorada residents. I supported additional BPAS allocations because I believe residents who own legally buildable properties deserve a fair opportunity, while growth must still be managed responsibly. I supported workforce housing, wastewater and stormwater initiatives because these decisions directly affect housing opportunities, water quality, infrastructure and our quality of life. My 30 years of living, working and operating a small business in Islamorada have given me a deep understanding of our community. My nine years on the Village Council, including five years as Mayor or Vice Mayor, and four years on the Local Planning Agency, including Chair and Vice Chair, provide valuable experience in government, planning and land-use issues. My community service includes 12 years with the Chamber of Commerce Board, six years on the TDC District Advisory Committee, and five years on the Village Affordable Housing Committee. My experience has taught me to look at issues from different perspectives and find a balance between the needs of residents, businesses and our environment. I do my homework, listen, ask questions, consider the facts and follow through. I will continue working to protect Islamorada’s character while planning for its future.

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / OCTOBER 29, 2026

SEAT 3

SEAT 4

1. I believe our biggest challenge is keeping Islamorada a place where our people can live and work. I’m very interested in researching land the Village already owns and partnering with organizations, public and private, to build family-style workforce housing. We need to continue to build our community in order to keep our future bright. 2. I feel I am engrained in the community not only because I have been here all my life, but also through my involvement in all different components of the Village. I am out and about participating in different community events. I am very service-minded and always ready to learn. My work as an executive assistant in Monroe County government has given me direct experience with issues residents bring to local government and what it takes to move towards a solution. In my time with Monroe County, I have been able to work with state representatives, senators, and congressional elected officials. In addition to local agencies and non-profits. I have also had the pleasure of serving on different committees for the village.

1. I’d say traffic is the most talked about and the biggest burden on daily life in the Village. Of course, traffic through the village (at times) can be an inconvenience, I am working closely with state and federal representatives to create innovative and viable solutions. I am working with our Village Manager and lobbyists on a plan to alleviate some of the demands through our Village, but working through state and federal bureaucracies will take time. 2. I have served on the LPA, Chaired the Affordable Housing Committee, Served on Two Charter review Committees, been the Village Building Services Director, been the Code Enforcement Director. I have consulted the Village after retiring and have been hired as an expert witness in a federal court case involving the Village. I was fortunate to have been selected as Vice Mayor my first year on Council and currently serve as Mayor. I have a proven record of inclusiveness. I have a proven record of getting things done. I have received several leadership certifications for my participation in the Florida League of Cities and have reached the highest level of education with them. I serve on several committees with the FLC so I can advocate for our Village in Tallahassee. I hold 8 current state licenses through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulations. As a 49-year active resident of Islamorada I know our community. I am your neighbor. I have built close relationships with our state representatives, senator, and congressional representatives for the benefit of Islamorada. Honestly, I know of no one who can come close to my qualifications and experience.

Corie McGraw-Abel

Sue Miller 1. Build out. Have we reached build out? Most residents live here because they love our incredibly special environment, marine resources, beauty, and small town charm. We all have a responsibility to protect those qualities. Years ago the state recognized us as an “Area of Critical State Concern” to assure development policies were implemented to safeguard both public safety and the environmental health of this very unique part of Florida. The resources in an island community are limited – potable water, housing, trees, roadways, schools, medical facilities…. And our environmental treasures. Florida Bay, the ocean, hammocks are what make Islamorada the amazing community we love. It is our responsibility to protect the resources, the charm of our small town. Through careful decision-making we can do a better job adhering to the goals of our Comprehensive Plan that establishes critical limits. We need to work toward assuring a sustainable community by better controlling the cost of living and providing better opportunities for people to live and work here. And by addressing traffic… and protecting the environment, for the sake of our residents and the visitors who have helped create a healthy economy. 2. For decades I have not just lived here, I have been involved — serving on County committees years ago and then Village committees. I’ve been attending nearly every Village Council meeting and workshop for years. I don’t just show up, I study the agendas and look for ways to improve the community. For years I’ve been writing newsletters to keep other residents informed and involved. My long-term love of this community and the people here has kept me focused on finding ways to improve water quality, our budget, our small-town character. Through in-depth research I understand the issues that our community faces. Issues that too often have been ignored. I believe in the utmost importance of encouraging community participation so that more residents get invested in the future decisionmaking. In a community where “everyone knows everyone,” I will be reachable and responsive—answering emails, hosting informal meetings, and listening to residents’ concerns. As Henry Rosenthal taught me – inviting folks to sit down with me at the kitchen table to talk about ideas and solutions… a plan I love. My insistence upon transparency and fairness will make a difference in community trust.

Don Horton

Tom Raffanello 1. It is impossible to pick just one. It is inescapable that residents need to participate in our Village government. The use of town halls and fewer restrictions on public participation at Council meetings is a good way to jumpstart bringing people back into our government. Our current council has had problems with transparency on several significant issues — i.e. ride-sharing program and the long awaited Founders Park baseball Field improvements. The recommendations of residents working groups on both these issues were ignored. Our inability to manage our budget is, next to public participation, the most important issue. A 97% tax increase in 7 years. No effectiveness audit in a quarter of a century. Inconsistent salary structure of employees. Lack of contractor oversight,to name a few. A prime example -- wastewater. It has been a “priority” for over a decade and has been mismanaged by several Village councils. We fired the wastewater contractor in 2018, only to recently hire it back in 2026 at an increased rate. The Village has “borrowed” $17 million to fully fund wastewater. I wish I was kidding. I could go on but you get the point. I do not have enough space to speak to limited growth. Growth should be a factor in all decisions. We need experienced executive managers with vision shared by residents and council members with new ideas. We can and should do better. 2. My background speaks for itself. While in federal service, I ran Arizona, Nevada, and Florida operations over a 20-year period. In Florida, I managed 20 offices throughout the state. Each had a manager and separate budget. I was responsible for all personnel, including agents, intelligence analysts, computer specialists, and lawyers. I held ultimate responsibility for budgeting, accounting, discipline, human resources and building projects. I am acutely aware of the intricacies involved in gaining consensus and providing necessary direction to managers and attorneys. I would regularly ask my employees what their issues and problems were, forging common goals. It is called leadership. Leadership is, perhaps, the most important ingredient for success. It is conspicuously absent in Islamorada. I will treat the Village Council position with the same energy and leadership as I displayed in my 20-years as an executive manager. Islamorada residents deserve nothing less. My executive management expertise is unmatched by my opponent. I have no allegiance to any entities, developers, speculators or lawyers. I have no other employment to distract me or shade my decisions. My job, as a public servant, is to serve the Islamorada residents and protect our special environment. Help me lead the positive change sorely needed in our Village.

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / OCTOBER 29, 2026

STATE RECOGNIZES SCHOOL DISTRICT

Monroe County designated ‘academically high-performing’

COLLEGE HOSTS MEETTHE-PRESIDENT EVENTS Jared Ochs connects with Key West & Upper Keys communities Nov. 2 & 4

Students at Sigsbee Charter School in Key West, conduct a science experiment. Sigsbee was named a Florida School of Excellence, along with Plantation Key School and Treasure Village Montessori. SIGSBEE CHARTER SCHOOL/Contributed

he Monroe County School District is one of 18 districts in Florida to be an Academically High-Performing School District by the state board of education. Plantation Key School, Sigsbee Charter School and Treasure Village Montessori have been named as Schools of Excellence as well. The district joins a group recognized for outstanding academic performance, operational excellence, fiscal responsibility and adherence to the state’s high standards. The designation is based on a comprehensive review of the 2025-2026 school and district grades, class-size limits and 2024-2025 financial audit results. This designation examines the entire operation of a school system. It recognizes districts that not only produce exceptional student achievement, but also demonstrate responsible stewardship of public resources, compliance with state requirements and a commitment to excellence. The designation confirms that the district excels in the classroom and behind the scenes, ensuring that students benefit from a system that is highperforming, well-managed and fiscally sound, states a press release from the school district. “This designation is a tremendous source of pride for the entire Monroe County School District,” Superintendent Ed Tierney said. “It reflects the hard work of our students and employees, the support of our families and community, and our commitment to both academic excellence and responsible stewardship of the resources entrusted to us. I am incredibly proud of our team and we will continue

working every day to provide every student in the Florida Keys with an outstanding education.” Monroe County schools have distinguished themselves through strong academic performance, innovative instructional practices and a studentcentered culture that prioritizes achievement, opportunity and continuous growth. From early-learning classrooms to advanced academic programs, career and technical education pathways, and college- readiness initiatives, the district has demonstrated that students in the Florida Keys can compete and succeed at the highest levels. This designation further validates the district’s reputation as one of Florida’s premier educational systems. Behind this achievement are the professionals who make student success possible. Monroe County’s teachers inspire, challenge and nurture students while maintaining the high expectations that drive academic growth. Support staff members ensure schools operate effectively and provide critical services that help students thrive. Principals and school leaders foster cultures of excellence within their campuses, while district administrators provide resources, support and vision. They form a team united by a shared commitment to doing what is best for students. This distinction also belongs to the students and families of Monroe County. Students across the district continue to rise to meet high expectations. Their accomplishments are supported by families who partner with schools and reinforce the importance of education, creating strong learning communities. — Contributed

College of the Florida Keys interim president Jared Ochs will meet with community members at receptions Monday, Nov. 2 in Key West and Wednesday, Nov. 4 in the Upper Keys. CONTRIBUTED

he College of the Florida Keys will hold two “Meet the President” events to introduce Jared Ochs, interim president. The first event will be on Monday, Nov. 2 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Tennessee Williams Theatre on the Key West campus. The second will be on Wednesday, Nov. 4, from 4 to 6 p.m. at CFK’s Upper Keys Center. “Getting to know our stakeholders, hearing their perspectives and developing relationships is a priority as I enter this new role leading the college in its mission to serve and strengthen our community,” Ochs said.

He began as interim president on Monday, Oct. 19 after serving as a deputy chief of staff in the executive office of Gov. Ron DeSantis. His career included senior positions across state government, including the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, the Florida Department of Education and the Florida House of Representatives. More information is at cfk.edu/discover/office-of-thepresident/. — Contributed

BRIEFLY Friday concert series at the library The singer-songwriter Daniel Gallup will bring his unique style to the stage for the Friday concert series on Nov. 6 at 6 p.m. at the Key Largo library. Everyone is welcome to attend. League of Women Voters to hear from the TDC The Upper Key League of Women Voters’ League and Libations will be held on Nov. 9 at 6 p.m. at Skippers Dockside. Christina Day, vice president of partnerships for the TDC, will be the guest speaker. Everyone is welcome for a short talk and social gathering. Learn about what the LWV of the Upper Keys is about.

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / OCTOBER 29, 2026

With every vote on council we’ve worked to protect our water & guard against overdevelopment. – Capt. Steve Friedman Opposed efforts to double building permits at our very first council meeting. Steve Friedman: “... Ask anyone in Islamorada; they will tell you that we are already overdeveloped... They will tell you we already poured too much concrete, overstressed our waters and already damaged our ecosystem.” – Keys Weekly

Called on Florida to “suspend the operation” of a detention center in the Everglades. ... “Noting the Everglades’ fragile ecosystem and its importance to South Florida’s drinking water, Friedman’s resolution sought to inform state leaders, including DeSantis... of the village’s opposition... It also urged the state to identify and select an alternative location more environmentally suitable...” – Keys Weekly Endorsed by VoteWater!

t Reelec

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / OCTOBER 29, 2026

RIGHTS & ROADBLOCKS SHELTERING AND County SERVING THE commission tackles building COMMUNITY schedule, U.S. 1

Islamorada library celebrates 60 years

traffic study

Traffic jams from construction along U.S. 1 are a way of life for residents and visitors in the Keys – but the delays aren’t included in calculations for recent traffic studies along the Overseas Highway. KEYS WEEKLY File photo

ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

plan to distribute hundreds of new building permits throughout the Florida Keys will wait another month as commissioners work to satisfy state objections, while discussions of traffic studies also filled a busy agenda at the Monroe County Commission’s Oct. 21 session. Earlier this year, state legislation allowed for up to 900 new building rights to be distributed throughout the Keys on a timeline of at least 10 years, accomplished by raising the island chain’s allowable hurricane evacuation clearance time from 24 to 24.5 hours and designating the rights solely for use on vacant, but buildable, properties. Of those new rights, 657 were earmarked for use in unincorporated Monroe County, with staff originally planning to split the award into 120 market-rate units and 537 for a newly-coined “market rate workforce” category. Eschewing the financial limitations of traditional deed-restricted affordable housing, commissioners and staff touted the new classification as a way to promote local homeownership while allowing residents to build equity and benefit from spikes in property values. The rights would be reserved exclusively for owners earning 70% or more of their income in Monroe County and carry a 99-year deed restriction. But following state review of the county’s proposed amendment to its comprehensive plan, needed to accept and distribute the rights, an Objections, Recommendations and Comments (ORC) report from FloridaCommerce identified two issues – a proposed expansion to allow affordable housing construction in high-hazard V-zones as designated by

FEMA, and a lack of housing rights set aside for traditional affordable housing. In the report, by bureau chief of community planning and growth Yazmin Valdez, state review teams wrote that county staff had not adequately justified removing the county’s existing ban on building affordable housing in “high-risk coastal flood areas,” adding that the county’s own scoring system for awarding building rights subtracts significant points for projects planned in these zones. A second objection targeted the exclusion of traditional deed-restricted affordable housing rights from the new distribution schedule. Addressing the commission, planning director Devin Tolpin said the original omission of traditional rights, and high proportion of workforce market rate rights, was intentional to prioritize feasible projects for rights that could be only awarded on a oneper-vacant-lot basis. Over the last five years, she said, the county has issued only six affordable housing rights for use in single-family projects, versus 426 for multifamily builds. High land and construction costs force developers to chase economies of scale via more financially viable larger builds. “What (those numbers) show me is that our local market does not appear to be very conducive to largescale single-family affordable housing developments,” Tolpin said. “Our concern, if we preserved a greater number for affordable housing, is that they would not be able to be utilized.” To satisfy the state, commissioners supported staff’s recommendation to reserve 33 allocations, or 5% of the total, exclusively for affordable housing, while preserving the prohibition on V-zone construction. Visit keysweekly.com for the full story.

Above: The Islamorada library on Upper Matecumbe Key circa 1966. MONROE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY/ Florida Keys History Center Left: The library on Upper Matecumbe underwent a refresh last year. CONTRIBUTED

he Monroe County Public Library’s Islamorada branch is celebrating 60 years in November with a series of Tuesday evening programs focusing on the community and local history. The Islamorada Library branch is at 81830 Overseas Highway on Upper Matecumbe Key. The front portion of the building was constructed out of 12-inch-thick reinforced concrete as a safe “community house” after the 1935 Labor Day hurricane. It opened in 1938 as the Matecumbe Grammar School and later served as a meeting place for local church congregations. Local residents sheltered in the building during Hurricane Donna in 1960. Public libraries in the Keys date back to the 19th century and the modern Monroe County Public Library system started in 1959, with the construction and opening of the Key West library. The Islamorada library branch opened on Nov. 6, 1966. The county expanded the structure in 1983 and 1999. In 2025, the county gave the building’s interior a complete refresh with new carpeting, furniture, shelving and paint. “This historic structure has been sheltering and serving the Islamorada community since it was built almost 100 years ago,” said Kimberly Matthews, Monroe County director of libraries. “We are honored that the majority of that time has been under our stewardship. Things have

changed a lot since 1966, but the library’s role as a place for residents to find information, education and enrichment has continued and will continue.” The Tuesday evening programs will all take place at 6:30 p.m. They will start on Nov. 3 with a presentation from Corey Malcom, lead historian of the library’s Florida Keys History Center, on the history of the Monroe County Public Library system and the origins of the Islamorada library branch. On Nov. 10, the Florida Park Service will provide a presentation about Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park and have a period craft. The 2015-17 Netflix series “Bloodline,” set and filmed in Islamorada, will be the focus of the Nov. 17 program with Rita Troxel, former Monroe County film commissioner, and Maria Chavez, “Bloodline” location manager. The final program will be Nov. 24 with Jerry Lorenz, former research director of Audubon Florida, talking about the history of wildlife conservation in the area and “big pink birds” (roseate spoonbills and flamingoes). All programs are free and open to the public. You do not need a library card to attend. The library has a small parking lot that fills up quickly. More information is at keyslibraries.org. — Contributed

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / OCTOBER 29, 2026

It takes three votes on the Village Council to protect our water & stop overdevelopment. 1 T A E S

2 T A E S

3 T A SE

Capt. Joe Wischmeier Village Council

Meet three votes. Paid electioneering communication, paid for by The People, P.O. Box 30295, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33303.

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / OCTOBER 29, 2026

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / OCTOBER 29, 2026

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / OCTOBER 29, 2026

SEA TOW KEY LARGO ANNOUNCES NEW OWNERSHIP

Spayghetti No Balls Gala

Helm to the business passed to longtime operator Chris Ward

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AT HALF PAST SIX IN THE EVENING

From left, Steve and Cheryl Powers and Alexa and Chris Ward. The Powerses passed the Sea Tow Key Largo operations to Chris, who’s a longtime captain and has Sea Tow operations in the Lower Keys and Key West. CONTRIBUTED

fter more than 18 years of serving the boating community in the Upper Florida Keys, captain Steve Powers and Cheryl Powers have announced the sale of Sea Tow Key Largo to captain Chris Ward, a longtime Sea Tow operator with deep roots throughout the Florida Keys. Steve and Cheryl purchased Sea Tow Key Largo on Aug. 20, 2008, and spent the next 18 years building a business known for dependable onwater assistance, strong community relationships and a commitment to helping boaters when they need it most. Ward, who already owns and operates Sea Tow Key West, Sea Tow Lower Keys, and Sea Tow Islamorada/ Marathon, will now oversee Sea Tow operations spanning the Florida Keys. For Steve and Cheryl Powers, the sale marks the end of a meaningful chapter spent building a business centered on helping boaters, developing lasting relationships and serving the community they call home. “Sea Tow Key Largo has been such an important part of our lives, and we’re incredibly proud of the business we’ve built and the relationships we’ve made along the way,” said the two. “We’ve had the privilege of helping countless boat-

ers over the years, and knowing that the business is going to someone with Chris’ experience, knowledge and dedication makes this transition especially rewarding.” Ward brings extensive experience in marine towing, salvage and recovery, along with a strong understanding of the unique challenges of boating in the Keys. His longstanding involvement with Sea Tow and commitment to customer service make him a natural successor. “Steve and Cheryl have built a wonderful reputation in Key Largo, and I’m honored to continue what they’ve started,” said Ward. “Bringing these operations together allows us to provide dependable, locally operated service throughout the Keys while maintaining the personal attention Sea Tow members deserve.” Although ownership is changing, the commitment to assisting boaters and providing reliable service on the water remains the same. “We’re grateful to our members, our community and everyone who has supported Sea Tow Key Largo over the years,” added Steve and Cheryl Powers. “It’s been an incredible journey, and we’re excited to see the business continue to thrive under Chris’ leadership.” — Contributed

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / OCTOBER 29, 2026

TRUNK OR TREAT IS SCARY-GOOD Jurassic Park display

takes first place

T 3

he Founders Park great lawn transformed into a Halloween town, as the eighth annual trunk or treat welcomed superheroes, princesses, scary creatures, aliens and more on Oct. 24. Vehicles decorated to a wide variety of themes dished out the treats and trinkets, all while offering a range of activities. Trick-or-treaters went to another dimension where they met aliens, while others had the chance to explore Jurassic Park. The first-place display was created by Keys Weekly designer Javier Reyes. He was joined by his family members and the Upper Keys Weekly’s Manuela Mobley. Pumpkin painting, bounce houses and an obstacle course, face painting and a costume contest highlighted an evening of “spooktacular” activities. — Keys Weekly staff report

7 1-4: The park turns into Halloween town with a variety of costumed participants. 5: Aliens greet princesses. 6: Kids enjoy an evening of activities. 7: Emma Evans, 3, walks to the car with her family, not pictured, following the trunk or treat. Emma’s mother said the girl is celebrating her 4th birthday this upcoming Halloween. ‘We call it Emma-Ween,’ she said. 8: Trick-or-treaters pack the Jurassic Park display. Photos by DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / OCTOBER 29, 2026

Keys Kids Health Centers, we made a promise: every Welcome Dr. Zuba! At child who walks through our doors will be seen, heard,

Welcome Dr. Tabassian!

and cared no matter their family's circumstances.

A child's smile is priceless. So is their health. But for too many families, a toothache or a fever brings a quieter fear: what will this cost us? That fear makes parents wait, hope it passes on its own, and sometimes choose between their child's health and the rent or groceries. We've seen it ﬁrsthand, a kindergartner quietly living with a toothache because her parents didn't know where to turn, and couldn't have aﬀorded it if they had. A small cavity left untreated until it became a painful, costly emergency. Never because a parent didn't care. Only because they were afraid of the bill.

Dr. Stanley Zuba has spent nearly thirty years as the pediatrician Keys families trust, caring for children at Florida Keys Pediatric & Adolescent Center in Tavernier since 1997. A Fellow of the American Academy of �ediatrics and board�certiﬁed since 1990, he trained at Cook County Children's Hospital in Chicago and has served as Medical Director of Island Dolphin Care for over 25 years. Dr. Zuba is now joining Keys Kids Health Centers, continuing his commitment to ensuring every child in the Florida Keys has a doctor who knows them.

A Promise of Health Care for Our Kids! So we changed the story. Every child we see is treated at no/low cost to their family, before small problems become painful ones. No forms standing in the way, no bill waiting at the end of the appointment, just a child who gets to keep smiling, and a parent who gets to breathe a little easier.

That's what this promise really protects: not just a child's teeth or health, but their family's peace of mind and future. No family should ever have to choose between their child's health and food on the table. We can't keep this promise alone. It's kept by everyone who believes our kids are worth investing in...every donor, every partner, every person who trusts us with their child's care.

Dr. Lilia Tabassian is excited to join the team at Keys Kids Health Centers, bringing compassionate dental care to children throughout the Florida Keys. A Florida native, she completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Florida and earned her dental degree with honors from the prestigious �arvard School of Dental Medicine, followed by a two-year Advanced Education in �eneral �entistry residency in Nashville, Tennessee. There she developed a passion for public health and for helping young patients feel comfortable and conﬁdent in the dental chair. Dr. Tabassian believes every visit is an opportunity to build trust with a child.

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / OCTOBER 29, 2026

VOTE

CORIE McGRAW-ABEL

FOR ISLAMORADA VILLAGE COUNCIL

SEAT 3 ELECTION DAY NOV. 3RD

STRONG COMMUNITY. BRIGHT FUTURE. ISLAMORADA IS MORE THAN A PLACE TO LIVE — IT'S OUR HOME. Our community deserves leadership that listens, and makes thoughtful decisions. corieforcouncil.com | coriemcgrawabel@gmail.com

Paid by Corie McGraw-Abel, for Islamorada Village Council seat 3.

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / OCTOBER 29, 2026

KEEPING HALLOWEEN SCARY JILL MIRANDA BAKER www.keysweekly.com

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 neighbors of the week are Timmy and Samantha Arce, a go-to couple for volunteering to organize charity events, hurricane relief efforts and more. Sam is president of the Conch Scramble board and on the board of the Florida Keys Board of Realtors Charitable Trust. They helped found the Fish for Holly Sailfish Tournament. Timmy was a fishing captain for 28 years as Native Conch Charters and is now bartending at Marker 88. Samantha is a real estate agent with Better Homes & Gardens and was a bartender at Old Tavernier for 18 years. The Islamorada residents are raising three daughters — Addison, 20; Joey, 17; and Marley, 15. How long have you lived in the Keys? Sam: We were both born here and delivered by the same doctor. Interestingly, our youngest daughter was also delivered by the same doctor. Timmy was one of his first deliveries and Marley was one of his last. What drew you to the Keys? Timmy: The water. It’s too hard to leave, there is so much history here. It’s important to tell the stories of what life used to be like. Sam: My family moved back to Texas where I was raised but I came back in my early 20s following graduating high school in Miami. What do you enjoy most about your work? Sam: I love when I can connect local families with home ownership. I was in hospitality starting at 15 and started the transition to real estate about five years ago. Timmy: Since Sam is now home for dinner every night, the whole family dynamic has changed. It’s been wonderful for our kids. What led you to be in the occupation you’re in?Timmy: I knew early in high school at Island Christian School that I wanted to be a captain. I turned down all but one scholarship and that one was from Joe Roth II and Eileen Mason at the old Holiday Isle. That scholarship paid for captain school and Coast Guard licensing. Weirdest experience you’ve had in the Keys?Timmy: Evacuating for Hurricane Irma. We’d never left before. Kids were young and we told them each to grab one toy. Sam: The time the marina called to tell me

Timmy and Samantha Arce Timmy was lost at sea. I knew he was in a wooden boat and was hyperventilating in panic. Once his mom heard the news, she assured me he knew the water too well to be lost. Turns out, radio connection was all that was lost. If you could have dinner with anyone, who would it be? Sam: Papa Samuel. I was supposed to be a boy. We had birthdays one day apart. He had the biggest heart, was the head of the United Way in his town. It makes me sad that my kids and husband didn’t get to meet him. Timmy: My grandfather, Alonzo Cothran, a builder who developed much of Islamorada. People told me about him, that he survived the 1935 hurricane, dug canals in Venetian Shores and was well respected. My brothers told me he was one tough dude. If you had a superpower, what would it be? Timmy: Time travel. Then I wouldn’t have flipped that damn box truck. That really hurt. (Note: Timmy was in a caravan to provide relief after Hurricane Michael when the load shifted in the truck causing the flip on a highway.) Favorite Food? Timmy: Sandwiches, any kind. I tell my kids if someone calls saying they are holding me for ransom, ask them my favorite food. If they don’t know, they don’t have me. Sam: My Papa was half Mexican, that is my favorite. Favorite movie? Sam: When Timmy needs a good cry, he goes to “Remember the Titans.” I’m a movie addict, but my favorite has to be “Spaceballs.” What are your hobbies? Sam: Baking and volunteering. As president of the Conch Scramble Charity Golf Tournament, we just finished distributing $87,000 to our grantees. I’m so proud of finally bringing in over $100,000 this year alone allowing for the donations and covering event costs. Tim is always first to step in to do anything that needs to be done. Is there a skill/talent you want to master? Sam: I want to relearn how to play the cello. Music was a huge part of my life growing up and I got one from Facebook Marketplace a couple years ago. Timmy: I regret that I never learned to play an instrument. What are you most proud of as you look back on your life this far? Our babies. What is the biggest daily challenge you face? Timmy: We are a dying breed here, the middle class. We transitioned careers to be able to stay for the long term. We want to finally feel above the water and keep the last piece of land still in the Arce family, next to Green Turtle.

McNews welcome community to the ‘Nightmare on Beach Street’ JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

Josh and Jamie McNew, as well as Art the clown, are gearing up for the ‘Nightmare on Beach Street’ this Halloween. CONTRIBUTED

here may not be a scarier place to roam than on Beach Street this Halloween. This Saturday evening, the “Nightmare on Beach Street” returns as the McNew family prepares to welcome community members to their residence at 176 Beach Road for a live-action horror experience. Josh McNew, his wife, Jamie, kids and neighbors have been hard at work to bring a mini-Universal Halloween Horror Nights to Tavernier. “Nobody goes to that side of the bridge to trickor-treat, so it’s a way to get people’s attention over here,” Josh said. “We started the parties back in 2021,” Jamie said. “It was a great way to give back to the community and help people forget about COVID and the crazy politics. Halloween is very special because it gives you the opportunity to dress up as your favorite characters and it brings back the magic of our childhood. And it brings magic to our children.” Free to the community, the scary experience includes the likes of Jason from “Friday the 13th” Michael Myers from “Halloween,” Art the Terrifier, three-headed wolves, giant skeletons and other frightful monsters. With the scares also come some drinks courtesy of Klara McGarry’s The Elite Label, and a circus tent with cotton candy, popcorn and Halloween-themed treats. “There is good music, crazy lights, lots of monsters and good company. And sometimes at the very end of the night, everyone jumps in the pool with all their costumes,” Jamie said. The McNews have also received some assistance in the way of scrap materials from Lindholm Roofing to build. Jamie said Samantha and Mark Berta from Sea Swivel also donated toward the party. “The best part about this party is not only that it’s become a great place for our community and families to celebrate this fun holiday, but it’s absolutely free,” Jamie said. The scary-good times over the years have attracted hundreds. Dare to be scared this Halloween with the “Nightmare on Beach Street,” opening at 7:30 p.m. and ending at 12:30 a.m.

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / OCTOBER 29, 2026

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ARTISANS’ SUNSET MARKET SUPPORTS NONPROFIT KATIE Isla with proceeds from the Key Largo Artisans’ Sunset Market at Dolphins Plus. CONTRIBUTED

i friends! Reef the fox here with your weekly “Reef’s Report.” I am pleased to announce that humans drinking beer and wine can, REEF in fact, accomplish THE FOX something productive. Reef is a red fox On Oct. 20, that was saved Pawsitive Beginfrom a fur farm. nings was the He now lives in Key Largo with featured nonhis human, Nicole profit at the Key Navarro. Largo Artisans’ first Sunset Market of the season at Dolphins Plus. As part of the evening, 25% of all beer and wine sales were donated to Pawsitive Beginnings, resulting in a very generous donation to help support yours truly and the other freeloaders who live here. So, to everyone who came out, shopped with the local vendors and had a beverage or two for the foxes: thank you for your service. Your sacrifice has been noted. Of course, the moment mom, Pawsitive Beginnings founder Nicole Navarro, brought the donation home, Isla attempted to steal it. Because why wouldn’t she? For anyone unfamiliar with Isla, she is currently entering her second winter as a hormonal teenage fox, and to say she is a bit of a hot mess would be an understatement. Her hormones are raging, her decision-

making skills are questionable and she has somehow decided that I am supposed to be her mate. Absolutely. Freaking. Not. Ma’am, I am not interested. She has been following me around, screaming at me and generally making me reconsider every life choice that led to us sharing a habitat. Apparently, surviving a fur farm was merely preparation for my greatest challenge yet: a hormonal Isla. Anyway, I digress. The important part of this report is a huge thank you to the Key Largo Artisans for choosing Pawsitive Beginnings as the featured nonprofit for their first Sunset Market of the season. We are incredibly grateful to Dolphins Plus, all of the participating vendors and everyone who came out to support the event. Every donation helps mom continue providing the food, veterinary care, enrichment and lifelong care that all of us rescued foxes depend on. And this particular donation proves something I have suspected for years: sometimes the best way to support animal rescue is to simply have a drink. Cheers to everyone who drank up for the foxes. I may have forgotten to mention that I accidentally hired a web team to build a site that was to my liking. Go take a peek at our brand new website that launched earlier this year: pawsitivebeginnings.org Until next time, Reef, over and out!

atie is a 7-month-old, playful and friendly puppy. She is a mediumsized mixed breed and expected to be between 35 and 40 pounds. She is a very smart girl and food- and treat-motivated. She would love to have an active family that can help continue training her and giving her the proper energy outlet. If you are interested, please reach out to MarrVelous Pet Rescues at 305-453-1315.

SAVE THE DATE Friday, Oct. 30 • Sit and sew from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Key Largo library. • Owl-O-Ween from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Laura Quinn Wild Bird Center, Tavernier. Free entry, donations appreciated. Saturday, Oct. 31 • Pascal’s Way Halloween Trash and Treat beach cleanup from 9 a.m. to noon at Harry Harris Park, Tavernier. • I.CARE’s Underwater Critter Costume Party from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Florida Keys Brewing Co. • Happy Halloween Costume Party at 6 p.m. at the Elks Lodge Tavernier. Prizes for best and unique costumes. • Indian Mound Cemetery opens to the public beginning at sunset; the haunted house is located at 160 Iroquois St., Islamorada. Nov. 3-5 • Just Older Youth Inc. (JOY) activities from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Plantation Key Community Center, 53 High Point Road. Visit justolderyouthinc.org for an up-to-date schedule. Thursday, Nov. 5 • MarrVelous Pet Rescues’ “Yappy Hour” from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Caribbean Club, Key Largo.

Dogs must be vaccinated, leashed and well-socialized. Friday, Nov. 6 • Florida Bay Forever stakeholder engagement event on forwardfacing sonar use in the bay from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Safe Harbor Angler House, Islamorada. Saturday, Nov. 7 • Florida Keys Quilter meeting at 9 a.m. at the Key Largo library and via Zoom. Contact floridakeysquilters@gmail.com for more information. • “Home Run,” a solo exhibit of places near, dear and far by artist Jul Jankowski, opens at 6 p.m. at the Hale Gallery, MM 81.8, bayside. Sunday, Nov. 8 • Chili cook-off and cornhole competition from noon to 7 p.m. at the American Legion Post 333 Key Largo. Tuesday, Nov. 10 • Juanita’s orchids will show and tell orchid growing secrets at 6 p.m. at the Key Largo Civic Club. Everyone is welcome. Raffles, sales and refreshments. Have a date for the calendar? Email jim@keysweekly.com.

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / OCTOBER 29, 2026

Mizpah and Gene Otto, around 1905. Gene is wearing the sailor’s suit currently worn by Robert the Doll. FLORIDA KEYS HISTORY CENTER/Monroe County Library

ROBERT THE DOLL MAY BE THE SPOOKIEST RESIDENT

ith Halloween just around the corner, it might be fun to highlight some of the scary things that call the Florida Keys, and the waters surrounding them, home. To start, waking up in the middle of the night, turning on a light and seeing a cockroach crawling on the counter can be startling. While they are completely harmless and cannot bite, they do have little spikes on their legs that poke if you grab one. They’re scariest when they spread their wings and fly. If they land on you, or in your hair, it can elicit a scream. Other creepy crawlers include spiders and the orangish Florida Keys giant centipede, which can grow up to 8 inches long and has scores of legs that make it twist and run really fast. In the same arena, watching a scorpion crawl up the wall in your house can be scary. People used to grease the legs of their beds so they couldn’t crawl up and get between the sheets. Snakes can be a fright. My wife used to scream when she was working in the yard and one slithered out. After living with a backyard herpetologist for the last 20 years, she doesn’t scream any more. All they do is eat things like insects, mice and rats – varmints often featured in haunted houses. Sharks can be scary, more for the baggage they carry than anything they do. In 1975, Steven Spielberg’s summer blockbuster “Jaws” cast them as bloodthirsty monsters and they’ve paid the price ever since. In reality, they are not the monsters they have been portrayed to be. According to the International Shark Attack File, Monroe County has had 17 unprovoked attacks since 1882. Sharks are the last thing to worry about. For anyone enjoying one of the Florida Keys’ premier features, the waters surrounding the island chain, sunburn is a more substantial threat.

The sun can be brutal on exposed skin and leave it a scary red color. Wear your sunscreen! Seeing a crocodile in the wild can get your heart pumping. They are becoming a more familiar sight as their numbers continue to rebound. The American crocodile differs from more aggressive, bona fide man-eaters like the Nile crocodile and the saltwater crocodiles found in Australia. Over the last century, only a handful of crocodile attacks have been documented in Florida. Alligators, by contrast, are a different story. While South Florida and the Florida Keys have both alligators and crocodiles (the only place in the world where they coexist), neither poses a threat in the Keys, unless your name is Spot or Fluffy. Hurricanes can be scary, especially when they are treated as a party and not given the respect they have earned. Fortunately, advances in weather forecasting have made them much easier to navigate. On that note, fingers crossed for the continued balmy conditions. Some drivers sailing down the Overseas Highway can be truly scary. One problem with having a single lane traveling up and down the island chain is that not everyone drives the way you want them to. People can get frustrated and drive like they have more important places to be. It is much easier to relax, enjoy the views and go with the traffic flow, even if it takes a few extra minutes. Tickets are expensive, accidents cost more and sometimes take lives, which is the real horror. The Keys are home to traditional scares of a more Halloween nature, too. Key West is considered one of the country’s most haunted cities. One of its spookier residents is Robert the Doll. Nothing is scarier than Robert, whom some consider the most haunted artifact in the county. Wild things have been said about him. Robert stands 40 inches tall and is stuffed with excelsior, or wood wool made of slivers cut from logs. The eyes are shoe buttons, and the face, originally, was painted blue and red like a court jester. Those colors have long since faded, and all that is left of the façade is the doll’s spongy countenance. Robert has developed his own unique history, much of it passed around by people sipping rum and telling tales. The doll has zero affiliation with Chucky and his successful “Child’s Play” film franchise. An angry Bahamian servant didn’t stitch the

doll together. Rather, the Steiff doll was a birthday present. Steiff is the German company that produced the first teddy bear. The Ottos, a prominent Key FLORIDA West family, brought the doll KEYS here. Thomas Osgood Otto was HISTORY a third-generation doctor who WITH married Minnie Elizabeth; they BRAD moved into their home at 534 BERTELLI Eaton St. in 1898, where Robert Brad is a local Eugene, the youngest of three historian, author, boys and a girl, was born. speaker and Robert Eugene Otto was Honorary Conch given the doll on Oct. 25, 1904, who loves sharing as a present for his fourth the history of the Florida Keys. birthday. He gave the doll his first name and kept Gene for himself. He also dressed him in the sailor suit he wears today. The two were inseparable. For a spooky sleepover, Robert’s old haunt is now a bed-and-breakfast. The Victorianstyle structure is home to the Artist House. Today, Robert lives at the Fort East Martello Tower Museum. Sometimes, when you take his picture without asking first, people say, Robert makes bad things happen. A wall at the Civil War-era fortification is decorated with letters apologizing for taking his picture without asking permission. Just in case, ask first! For a truly haunting time, check out David Sloan’s Robert the Doll Experience, where the doll’s fascinating history is shared while Robert sits in the room with his stuffed toy lion. Robert the Doll’s 122nd birthday was last Sunday. Happy belated birthday, Robert! There is one truly horrifying Keys experience, perhaps even scarier than Robert, that some people can’t help but fall into. It is known as the Key West vortex. The Key West Gravity Chronicles’ Facebook account documents its victims. According to the page, “Yes, our beloved island has mysterious and powerful vortices that grab hold of unsuspecting locals and tourists, often nullifying their ability to resist gravity and then pinning them to the earth.” There might not be anything scarier than waking up and seeing yourself pictured on the site. Be careful out there. Happy Halloween!

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / OCTOBER 29, 2026

DAY OF THE DEAD HALLOWEEN BINGO CELEBRATION RETURNS SUPPORTS LOCAL TO ISLAMORADA CHILDREN AND Event brings sugar skull workshop, FAMILIES Mariachi Veracruzano

The group Mariachi Veracruzano performs at the beer garden. The lively group will return this year. File photo

exican-inspired celebrations are becoming increasingly popular in the United States, and the Día de los Muertos celebration slated for Sunday, Nov. 1, at the Florida Keys Brewing Co. is proof positive. For the sixth year in a row, Community Arts and Culture (CAC) is presenting live music, workshops and celebratory activities for families to enjoy. Mariachi Veracruzano will once again take over the beer garden for a lively performance of traditional music, and this year, event attendees can take ukulele lessons beforehand to join the band on the traditional song “Cielito Lindo.” Other activities include traditional sugar skull and corn husk headdress-making workshops, face-painting, a cakewalk and a community altar for those who wish to honor their dearly departed. “It is truly inspiring to see how the South Florida community has continued to embrace these events,” said Jose Elias, CAC’s founder and executive director. “We invite everyone to come share in the fun and tradition and enjoy a full day of family-friendly activities and fun. Our thanks go to sponsors the Monroe County Tourism Development Council, Cosmo Tires, and the FKBC for their continued support.”

Halloween bingo saw participants in all sorts of costumes and support for the Florida Keys Children’s Shelter. CONTRIBUTED

Participants at the 2024 Día de los Muertos celebration at the Florida Keys Brewing Co. the celebration returns Sunday, Nov. 1.

Starting at 1 p.m., participants will be able to take part in a Fandango ukulele workshop where they can learn basic skills. They can also explore indigenous craftsmanship by creating a cornhusk headdress, inspired by traditional designs that honor the ancestral connection between culture and the land. Attendees can also make sugar skulls, a tradition during Día de los Muertos, honoring ancestral memories. There will also be a tree of life that will give attendees a chance to hang a photo of a loved one as part of a community altar. Attendance is free and open to the public; workshops are ticketed. The Tacos Jalisco food truck will be on hand selling Mexican delicacies. More information is at cacmiami.org. — Contributed

night of monsters, mad scientists and community generosity turned into meaningful support for local children as the Florida Keys Children’s Shelter (FKCS) raised $4,000 during its second annual Monsters & Mad Scientists Halloween Bingo fundraiser on Oct. 21 at the Armory Speakeasy in Key Largo. The sold-out event highlighted the Upper Keys community’s commitment to helping vulnerable children and families throughout Monroe County. Proceeds will support FKCS programs that provide safe shelter, counseling and critical resources for youth and families facing challenging circumstances. The evening combined philanthropy with theatrical entertainment, featuring performances inspired by the “Bride of Frankenstein,” eerie plague doctors and “The Phantom of the Opera.” Live vocalist Alex Yost and DJ Julian kept guests entertained between rounds of bingo, while a costume contest and raffles added to the festivities. For more than 40 years, FKCS has served over 25,000 children and families throughout the Florida Keys. Community fundraisers like Monsters & Mad Scientists play an

Attendees enjoy an evening of entertainment at the second Monsters & Mad Scientists Halloween Bingo on Oct. 21 at the Armory Speakeasy.

important role in sustaining these services while raising awareness of the needs of local youth. FKCS thanked the Armory Speakeasy for hosting the event, along with gift card donors Tavernier 5 Cinema, Papa Joe’s, Ciao Bella Salon and Flagler Station, whose contributions helped make the evening a success. More information is at www. fkcs.org. — Contributed

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / OCTOBER 29, 2026

DIANA JUST SOLD ANOTHER ONE FOR $715,000 AT 88181 OLD HWY, #F24, PLANTATION KEY

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / OCTOBER 29, 2026

October 29, 2026

Hurricanes spoil Leonard’s Senior Night | P.8

We love would your VOTE We’d yourlove nomination for: for:

-Best Insurance Agency -Best Family/Locally owned business -Best Overall Business

OCTOBER 29, 2026 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS

THE SCOREBOARD

OCT. 19 - 24

Team

Sport

Opponent

Date

Result

Coral Shores

Football

John I. Leonard

10/23

W, 48-0

Key West

Football

Miami Springs

10/23

L, 14-10

Marathon

Volleyball

Williston

10/24

L, 3-0

THIS WEEK IN KEYS SPORTS

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

OCT. 29 - NOV. 4

Date

School

Sport

Opponent

Start Time

10/29

Marathon

Cross Country

@ Pine Crest

TBA

10/29

Key West

Boys Soccer

@ Belen

6 p.m.

10/30

Coral Shores

Cross Country

@ Jr. Orange Bowl

4:45 p.m.

10/30

Marathon

Football

Parkridge Academy

7 p.m.

10/30

Key West

Football

@ Barron Collier

7:30 p.m.

10/30

Coral Shores

Football

Cocoa Beach

7 p.m.

11/2

Key West

Swimming

@ Regionals

TBA

11/4

Coral Shores

Girls Soccer

Key West

4 p.m.

11/4

All Keys Schools

Girls Weightlifting

@ Key West

4 p.m.

Charles

ROYAL

Sophomore, Coral Shores Football

Every time he steps onto the ﬁeld, he makes our team better.”

– Ed Holly, Coral Shores head football coach

105 yards

ON THE COVER

OCTOBER 29

Fresh oﬀ a 48-0 blowout win over John I. Leonard, the Coral Shores Hurricanes will face one ﬁnal test against Cocoa Beach at home before turning their eyes to the postseason. See page 8. Photos by Natalie Goodwin

Coral Shores’ Charles Royal is making a statement this season on both sides of the ball. Last week, the sophomore linebacker recorded two solo tackles, two assists, a quarterback pressure and a tackle for a loss. His disruptive defensive play helped the ’Canes blank their opponent, but Royal’s contributions did not stop there. Offensively, Royal racked up 105 yards on eight carries and found the end zone in Coral Shores’ 48-0 win against John I. Leonard. Coach Ed Holly says Royal “plays with passion for the sport. He’s a tremendous competitor and a great teammate.” For his contributions on the field and his emergence as a leader for the Hurricanes, Charles Royal is the Keys Weekly Athlete of the Week.

carries

Photo by DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly

tracy mcdonald SPORTS WRITER

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.

KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS / OCTOBER 29, 2026

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

Managing Editor / Alex Rickert alex@keysweekly.com

Copy Editor / Mike Howie mike@keysweekly.com

Business Development

Manuela C. Mobley manuela@keysweekly.com Stephanie Mitchell stephanie@keysweekly.com Demetrius Roach demetrius@keysweekly.com

Production Manager

Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com

Executive Administrator Charlotte Hruska char@keysweekly.com

Graphic Design

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

Javier Reyes javier@keysweekly.com

Web Master / Travis Cready travis@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

23 CALLS, 4 OFFERS, 1 PACK

After drawing interest from top programs, Conch junior Kade Maltz commits to N.C. State

or most high school baseball players, a call from a Division I program would be the opportunity of a lifetime. For Key West's Kade Maltz, 23 such opportunities came knocking on the same day. On Aug. 1, the first day of his recruiting window, Maltz heard from nearly two dozen Division I baseball programs across the country. Four extended offers, leaving the talented Conch with plenty of options for his future. Ultimately, the junior center fielder and right-handed pitcher decided to join the Wolfpack at North Carolina State University. Despite the attention, Maltz said his decision came down to more than the prestige of a program or the number of offers he received. "The recruiting process is really about getting to know each other and making sure the player is a good fit for the program and the program is a good fit for the player," Maltz said. And Maltz certainly gave college recruiters plenty to consider. Following a breakout freshman campaign that earned him All-Keys honors, Maltz continued to make his mark on one of the state's most competitive high school baseball programs. As a sophomore last spring, he was a fixture near the top of the Conchs' statistical leaderboards, making his presence known at the plate, in the field and on the mound. In 12 pitching appearances, including 10 starts, Maltz posted a 1.47 ERA and an .875 winning percentage. He was also credited with a no-hitter and a perfect game, adding to an impressive pitching résumé. Defensively, Maltz recorded a .977 fielding percentage, but his contributions hardly stopped there. At the plate, he bat-

ted .323 with a .441 on-base percentage, collecting 31 hits, including 10 doubles, four triples and a home run. He scored 30 runs, drove in 22 more and led the Conchs in stolen bases. For Maltz, the realization that he could compete at the collegiate level came during that sophomore season. "I was competing against guys who were going on to play college baseball the following year, and I was having some success against them," he said. "That gave me confidence that I could compete at that level, too." While his success in a Conchs uniform helped establish his reputation locally, much of Maltz's national recruiting attention came through travel baseball. Rather than relying heavily on individual

Key West - Mandy Miles mandy@keysweekly.com

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

The uniform may change, but the colors won't be much of a stretch. Key West's Kade Maltz is trading Conch red for Wolfpack red after committing to North Carolina State's baseball program. Photos contributed

OCTOBER 29, 2026 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS

camps and showcases, he made his mark competing against elite players – and drawing the attention of college coaches – on the tournament circuit. His performances also earned him a selection to the Futures Games, a major summer recruiting event that Maltz said drew more than 400 college scouts. With four offers on the table, Maltz had a decision to make. What ultimately separated N.C. State from the other programs wasn't just the opportunity to compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference, but the people who would be guiding his development. "I think the biggest deciding factor was the coaching staff," he said. "It was really important to me to be around coaches who believed in me and who I felt comfortable with." Assistant coach J.T. Jarrett played a significant role in Maltz's recruitment, following the young prospect throughout the summer and maintaining regular contact after Aug. 1. Those conversations weren't always about baseball. "Sometimes to talk about recruiting, and other times just to check in and see how I was doing," Maltz said of Jarrett's communication. Head coach Chris Hart also made a lasting impression. Hart, who took over the Wolfpack pro-

The recruiting process is really about getting to know each other and making sure the player is a good fit for the program and the program is a good fit for the player." — Kade Maltz

gram in 2026 after more than two decades on its coaching staff, brought an approach to hitting and player development that resonated with Maltz. "It was important to me to go somewhere I could continue to grow as a hitter and position player," Maltz said. "I really connected with coach Hart's approach to hitting and the game in general." The two also shared a connection beyond baseball. Hart played at Florida State, giving the Florida Keys standout another reason to feel at home. "He's from Florida, and us Florida boys have to stick together!" Maltz joked. A visit to Raleigh, where Maltz toured the campus and facilities and met with the coaching staff,

sealed the deal. "The entire coaching staff at NC State was awesome, and I really couldn't see myself anywhere else," he said. With his college destination decided, Maltz still has two seasons remaining in a Conchs uniform, including his upcoming junior campaign. For a player who has already established himself among the area's top talents, the opportunity to continue developing before heading to Raleigh is considerable. And though 23 programs came calling, only one will ultimately get to call Maltz one of its own. "Go Pack!" he said.

KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS / OCTOBER 29, 2026

THE BACK

NINE 4

Keys golfers close regular season with Senior Night celebrations and a pre-districts tuneup

he sun has set on the regular season of prep golf in Florida, but Keys golfers aren't ready to put away their clubs just yet. Marathon and Key West celebrated their seniors with a pair of matches last week, each claiming a victory on their home course, while Coral Shores closed out its schedule with a strong showing on the mainland. Next up for all three teams is the postseason, with district tournaments that began Oct. 26. Marathon celebrated its seniors Oct. 19, and Roco

Piscetello closed the chapter on his home course in style. Piscetello earned medalist honors with an impressive 33, finishing 3 under par. His stellar score was fueled by birdies on holes 1, 3 and 6. It also helped propel Marathon to a 152-176 victory over Key West in the Dolphins' final regularseason round at Florida Keys Country Club. Emmett Merryman has two more years to sharpen his game, a promising prospect considering the sophomore finished 2 under par with a 34. Merryman birdied on the first three holes and again on No.

6, but a pair of bogeys left him in second place. Key West's Dominick Novotny was third with a 38, while Marathon's Jackson Millard finished fourth with a 40. Conch Sonny Bowden's 42 was good for fifth before a school of Dolphins filled out the top 10. Ethan Wohlers and Jack Dunn tied at 45, followed by Brett Clark and Jase O'Rourke. Key West's Brody Smith and Anthony Barrows tied for 10th place. In the ladies' competition, Key West claimed the top spots. Mary Alice Davila earned medalist honors with

a 51. Teammates Lexi Finigan and Stella Tutlewski joined Coral Shores' Woodsley Franklin in a three-way tie for second at 53. Marathon senior Makenna Haines and middle school athlete Elleanna Mowry rounded out the competition, finishing sixth and seventh, respectively. Two days later, it was the Conchs' turn to celebrate their seniors and close out regularseason action on their home course. Fittingly for the occasion, Key West seniors Geo Twyman and Lexi Finigan each earned medalist honors. Twyman shot a 39 to edge

out teammate Jakub Krytinar and Marathon's Piscetello, who tied for second at 40. Coral Shores' Scout Oliver was one stroke behind in fourth place. Marathon's Cullen Coleman-Sayer finished fifth with a 42, followed by Key West senior Dominick Novotny, who shot a 43. Marathon's Ethan Wohlers was seventh with a 47, while Bowden, teammate Brody Smith, Coral Shores' Sawyer Hendrix and Marathon's Jack Dunn finished in a four-way tie for eighth at 49. Finigan's 47 was the best score in the girls competition and gave the senior one final

OCTOBER 29, 2026 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS

1. Makenna Haines. 2. Charlize Lopez. 3. Dominick Novotny. 4. Jackson Millard. 5. Cullen Coleman-Sayer. 6. Geo Twyman. 7. Stella Tutlewski, left, and Mary Alice Davila. 8. Roco Piscetello. Photos by Natalie Danko and Rocky Gonet

home-course win before districts. Teammate Davila was next, shooting a 49, followed by Marathon's Makenna Haines in third with a 58. Stella Tutlewski and senior Charlize Lopez finished fourth and fifth, respectively, with scores of 59 and 60. Franklin and Mowry rounded out the female finishers. The final competition for Keys golfers came Oct. 23 in a Miami matchup at Briar Bay Golf Course. The Hurricanes dominated the individual leaderboard against Riviera Prep, claiming six of the top eight spots. Scout Oliver took medalist honors with a 3-over-par 34. Nash Andruski was third, shooting a 41, while Sawyer Hendrix, Landon Baker, Gavin Guzzelli and Bryce Vaeth

also finished in the top eight. Vanessa Gabriel (57) and Franklin (59) finished third and fourth, respectively, in the girls competition, giving the Hurricanes a strong finish heading into the postseason. With the regular season in the books, Keys golfers now turn their attention to district competition. Marathon's boys competed Oct. 26 at the Biltmore Golf Course, with the girls following on Oct. 27 (results not available at press time). Key West and Coral Shores competed in their Class 2A district tournaments, with the boys scheduled for Oct. 26 at Redland and the girls Oct. 27 at Miami Springs (results not available at press time).

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KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS / OCTOBER 29, 2026

A blowout win on Oct. 23 gave Coral Shores plenty to smile about before the playoﬀs.

Dominik Jimenez

HURRICANES BREEZE

Coral Shores secures home playoff game; Key West falls in district battle, Marathon wins by forfeit

ey West came up just short in a hard-fought district matchup last week, Marathon picked up a win without taking the field and Coral Shores delivered a dominant performance to secure its postseason position. The Conchs hosted Miami Springs in a defensive battle that ultimately went the way of the visiting Golden Hawks, 14-10. Despite a strong defensive showing from Key West, Miami Springs managed to take a 7-0 lead into halftime. “Springs had a good defense; they flew,” said Key West head coach Johnny Hughes. The Conchs came out swinging in the second half, evening the score at 7 on a touchdown run from Matthew Oviedo. The powerful punch-in was the only scoring play of the third quarter, setting up a fourthquarter showdown. Miami Springs struck again in the final period to reclaim the lead, but Key West was not finished. Owen Lindley connected on a 29-yard field goal, pulling the Conchs within four points and keeping the game within reach. Key West had an opportunity to take the lead in the closing moments, but a fourth-and-7 attempt came up agonizingly short. The Conchs were stopped just half a yard shy of a fresh set of downs, ending a promising drive. Penalties proved costly throughout the night,

with several significant offensive gains called back, preventing the Conchs from establishing momentum despite flashes of explosive play. “The defense played great. They neutralized the pass rush and put on a lot of pressure,” Hughes said. Despite the loss, preliminary rankings updated Oct. 25 placed Key West ahead of Miami Springs in the Class 3A District 16 standings. Whether those positions hold remains uncertain, leaving the Conchs' postseason outlook unresolved. Key West will close out its regular season on the road against Barron Collier in Naples, with its playoff fate still to be determined. For Marathon, the path to victory was considerably less complicated. The Dolphins collected a forfeit win over a beleaguered BridgePrep Village Green program, adding a victory to their record without having to suit up. The Fins will close out their regular season at home on Friday, Oct. 30 against Parkridge Christian of Coral Springs. A victory would keep Marathon in contention for a postseason berth, though the Dolphins would need considerable help elsewhere for that possibility to become reality. While Key West and Marathon await clarity on their postseason prospects, Coral Shores has already punched its ticket to the playoffs. The Hurricanes traveled to Class 8A John I. Leonard on Oct. 23 and turned the game into something resembling a Coral Shores highlight reel, finding the end zone seven times in a lopsided victory that solidified their standing in the Sunshine State Athletic Association. David Beltran opened the scoring with a 36-yard touchdown run, and John Oughton followed with a pair of trips to the end zone, scoring from 6 and 36 yards out. Quarterback Sterling Keefe then connected with Dominik Jimenez on a 27-yard touchdown

pass before finding Beltran for a 23-yard scoring strike just before halftime. The Hurricanes carried a commanding 35-0 lead into the break. Coral Shores wasted little time picking up where it left off in the third quarter. Luke Gookins intercepted a John I. Leonard pass, and Charles Royal capitalized on the turnover with a 5-yard touchdown run. Trailing by more than 40 points on senior night, the Lancers took to the air in hopes of getting on the scoreboard, but Marco Gudino had other ideas. Gudino intercepted a pass to give Coral Shores excellent field position, and freshman Declan Wampler finished the job with a 3-yard touchdown run for the Hurricanes' final score. Coral Shores amassed 388 yards of total offense, including 311 on the ground and 77 through the air. Royal led the rushing attack with 105 yards, followed by Beltran with 77 and Oughton with 66. The Hurricanes were equally impressive defensively. Ekon Edwards registered two solo tackles and four assists, while Royal added two solo tackles, two assists, a quarterback pressure and a tackle for loss. Sean Connolly contributed four solo tackles, two assists and two pressures, and Alex Radovanovic recorded five solo tackles, one assist and a pass breakup. The victory secured Coral Shores' place in the Sunshine State Athletic Association playoff bracket and gave fans an extra treat — a home playoff game. The Hurricanes will host Cocoa Beach at Barley Stadium on Friday, Oct. 30, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m. The matchup marks Coral Shores' first home playoff contest in more than a decade. A win would send the Hurricanes on the road the following week as they continue their pursuit of a postseason title.

OCTOBER 29, 2026 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS Ekon Edwards

Marco Gudino

E INTO POSTSEASON 1 4

1. Deon Cartwright (6) celebrates a Conch touchdown. 2. Roman Van Loon (13) pitches the ball to Matthew Oviedo. 3. Jayson Michel (2) hands oﬀ the ball to Chace Gaertner (7). Photos by Rocky Gonet and Natalie Goodwin

4. Chace Gaertner (7) pushes through a Miami Springs blockade. 5. Chace Gaertner (7) stares down a Golden Hawk defender. 6. Cain Hughes (32) takes an angle against the Miami Springs ball carrier.

WE HAVE LIFTOFF 10

Coral Shores, Marathon ﬂex their muscles in girls weightlifting season opener

thletes and coaches participating in Florida’s earliest winter sport wasted no time getting their first competition under their weight belts. Marathon met Everglades Prep at Coral Shores in Tavernier for an Oct. 20 girls weightlifting meet, just one day after the season officially began. Though several athletes are still rostered on their fall sports teams, the results look promising. Coral Shores won both the Olympic and traditional competitions, earning 42 points in each. Marathon finished second in both categories, scoring 27 points in Olympic lifts and 29 in traditional, leaving Everglades Prep with single-digit scores in both. All of last week’s winners were double winners, meaning each athlete who won in the traditional category also won the Olympic event. Traditional scoring combines a lifter’s best clean and jerk with her best bench press, while the Olympic event combines the snatch with the clean and jerk. Coral Shores won the lion’s share of weight classes in its home opener. Kirsten Doorly started things off with a win at 101 pounds, followed by Emily Hurt at 110 and Nic Giordano at 119. At 154, Kayden Costlow claimed a double win, and Lily Ooms made it five weight-class victories for Coral Shores with a pair of wins at 199. Marathon’s Rilynn Richards broke up the Hurricane monopoly at 129 pounds, and teammate Sofiia Konyk picked up a second set of wins at 139. Alyssa De La Torre finished first at 183, and Nivi De La Torre won the unlimited weight class to make it four weight-class victories for the Fins. All three of Monroe County’s public high schools have girls weightlifting teams, and the squads meet almost weekly, taking turns hosting. The postseason window opens Jan. 11, with states scheduled for the first week of February. Top: Kayden Coslow. Bottom left: Nivi De La Torre Bottom right: Rilynn Richards Photos by Natalie Danko and Tracy McDonald.

KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS / OCTOBER 29, 2026

OCTOBER 29, 2026 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS

END OF THE ROAD

Marathon's historic volleyball season ends in regional semifinal

ctober 24 spelled the end of the road for prep volleyball in the Keys this season, but not before Marathon's Lady Fins made a little history of their own. Fresh off their first district championship in nearly a quarter century, the Dolphins embarked on the long journey to Williston, where they faced the region's top-seeded Red Devils in the Rural Region 4 semifinal. Marathon’s future is bright with multiple underclassmen and statistical leaders returning from the 2025-26 district champion squad. Photos by Natalie Danko

The hosts proved to be formidable opponents, defeating Marathon in straight sets, 25-11, 25-7 and 25-14, to advance to the regional final. The loss brought an end to the Dolphins' postseason run and officially closed the book on Monroe County’s volleyball season. Marathon was the last Keys team standing in the hunt for a state title, outlasting its island neighbors and bringing home a district trophy for the first time in more than two decades. Though the Dolphins will lose four seniors to graduation, the program has plenty to build upon, including the return of several statistical leaders with the experience and talent to defend their district title.

KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS / OCTOBER 29, 2026

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES •

305.743.0844

LEGAL NOTICES

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE U-HAUL COMPANY OF MIAMI Notice of Public Auction for monies due on Storage Units. Auction will be held on November 9th, 2026, at or after 8:00 AM on https://www.storagetreasures. com. Units are said to contain common household items. Property is being sold under Florida Statute 83.806. The names of whose units will be sold are as follows: Location: 103530 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037 Behrendt, Jessica 1755 Press, Brian 1116 Amos, Kyle 1216 Publish: October 29 & November 5, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

MONROE COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL has an opening for a TOURIST RELATED BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVE - shall be persons involved in business which is interdependent upon the tourist industry who have demonstrated an interest in tourist development but who shall not be employed in any position within the lodging industry (motels, hotels, recreational vehicle parks, and other tourist accommodations and whose business is in the tax collection district for which they are applying). Any person wishing to participate on the District IV Advisory Committee of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council within the district so noted above may request an application by emailing angela@fla-keys.com. Completed applications should be emailed to angela@fla-keys.com, or may be sent via U.S. Mail to the address below: Department DAC Monroe County Tourist Development Council 1201 White Street, Suite 102 Key West, FL 33040 Deadline for receipt of application at the above address is 5:00 p.m. Friday, December 4th, 2026. A resume may be attached to the application. Publish: October 29, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

the tourist industry who have demonstrated an interest in tourist development but who shall not be employed in any position within the lodging industry (motels, hotels, recreational vehicle parks, and other tourist accommodations and whose business is in the tax collection district for which they are applying). Any person wishing to participate on the District V Advisory Committee of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council within the district so noted above, may request an application by emailing angela@fla-keys.com. Completed applications should be emailed to angela@fla-keys.com or may be sent via U.S. mail to the address below: Department DAC Monroe County Tourist Development Council 1201 White Street, Suite 102 Key West, FL 33040 Deadline for receipt of application at the above address is 5:00 p.m. Friday, December 4th, 2026. A resume may be attached to the application. Publish: October 29, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

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 October 29, 2026. Personal Representative: Robert Jaqy Somogyi 501 Brunswick Pike Lambertville, NJ 08530 Attorney for Personal Representative: Tom Woods, Esq. Florida Bar No.: 0525197 116 Porto Salvo Drive Islamorada, Florida 33036 Phone 305.664.2200 Fax 2205 Email: tom@tomwoodslaw.com Publish: October 29 & November 5, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

Personal Representative: Hermine C. Zavar 105 Court Contessa Islamorada, Florida 33036 Attorney for Personal Representative: Richard E. Warner Attorney Florida Bar Number: 283134 RICHARD E. WARNER, P.A. 12221 Overseas Highway MARATHON, FL 33050 Telephone: (305) 743-6022 Fax: (305) 743-6216 E-mail: richard@rewarnerlaw.com Secondary E-Mail: pamela2@ rewarnerlaw.com Publish: October 29 & November 5, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

LLC, An Oklahoma Limited Liability Company, Plaintiff, Vs SHERRY HANNAKA, and UNLIMITED HEALTH CARE SERVICES, INC., a Florida Corporation Defendant, NOTICE OF SHERIFF’S SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY given that pursuant to a Writ of Execution issued in the County Court of Broward County, Florida, on the 19th day of August, 2026, in the cause wherein HEALTHPRO HERITAGE AT HOME, LLC, An Oklahoma Limited Liability Company, was Plaintiff, and SHERRY HANNAKA, and UNLIMITED HEALTH CARE SERVICES, INC., a Florida Corporation was defendant, being case number CONO-25-073091, in said court, I, Richard A. Ramsay as Sheriff of Monroe County, Florida have this day levied upon all the right, title and interest of the defendant, in and to the following described real property to wit: SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY From the warranty deed that states the following all that certain land, situate in Monroe County, State of Florida viz: Legal Description(s) – Unit B-5, EXECUTIVE BAY CLUB CONDOMINIUM, a Condominium according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof, recorded in Official Records Book 806, at page(s) 1066, of the Public Records of Monroe County, Florida. SPECIFIC LOCATION OF REAL PROPERTY: 87200 Overseas Hwy., #B-5, Islamorada, Florida 33036 PARCEL ID: 00093241-001500 All bidders must have a valid Driver’s License with them and must register with the clerk at location of sale prior to start time of sale. I shall offer this property for sale, at the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Headquarters building located at 5525 College Road Key West, Florida 33040 in the County of Monroe, State of Florida, on the 3rd day of December, 2026, at the hour of 10:00 A.M. or as soon thereafter as possible. I will offer for sale all of the said defendant’s right, title, and interest in the aforesaid real property at public auction and will sell the same subject to all taxes, prior liens, encumbrances and judgments, if any, to the highest and best bidder for cash or cashiers check in hand. The proceeds to be applied as far as may be to the payment of costs and the satisfaction of the above described execution. Dated at Key West, Monroe County, Florida this 1st day of October, 2026. Richard A. Ramsay Sheriff of Monroe County, By: Donald Stullken Deputy Sheriff In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons with disabilities needing a special accommodation to participate in this proceeding should contact the Civil Division no later than seven days prior to the proceeding at (305)809-3041 Publish: October 15, 22 & 29 and November 5, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

been filed against you and that you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on RIGEL VALDES MARRERO, whose address is on or before , 2026, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 500 WHITEHEAD STREET, KEY WEST, FL 33040 before service on Petitioner or immediately thereafter. If you fail to do so, a default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the petition. The action is asking the court to decide how the following real or personal property should be divided: NONE Copies of all court documents in this case, including orders, are available at the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office. You may review these documents upon request. You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office notified of your current address. (You may file Designation of Current Mailing and E-Mail Address, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.915.) Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed or e-mailed to the address(es) on record at the clerk’s office. WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, requires certain automatic disclosure of documents and information. Failure to comply can result in sanctions, including dismissal or striking of pleadings. Dated: October 9, 2026 Kevin Madok, CPA, Clerk Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Shonta McLeod Deputy Clerk Publish: October 15, 22 & 29 and November 5, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE BEST LIEN SERVICES: 7290 SW 41 ST MIAMI, FL 33155 WILL SELL AT A RESERVED PUBLIC SALE AT 9:00 AM THE VESSEL LISTED BELOW AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS TO SATISFY LIEN PURSUANT TO SECTION 328.17 OF THE FLORIDA STATUTES. LOCATION: PILOT HOUSE RESTAURANT AND MARINA LLC, 13 SEAGATE BLVD, KEY LARGO, FL 33037 P#:305-747-4359 DATE/TIME: NOV. 12, 2026 AT 9:00AM 2007 LEPORD VS RACA2014L708 OWNER/LIEN HOLDER: QUEENSBAY INC/NONE ANY PERSON(S) CLAIMING ANY INTEREST IN THE ABOVE VEHICLES SHOULD CONTACT: BEST LIEN SERVICES (1-866-299-9391) AT LEAST 1 WEEK PRIOR TO THE LIEN SALE. Publish: October 22 & 29, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers DISTRICT IV ADVISORY COMMITTEE (DAC IV) (Between the Long Key Bridge and Mile Marker 90.939) of the

DISTRICT V ADVISORY COMMITTEE (DAC V) (from Mile Marker 90.940 to the Dade/Monroe County Line and any Mainland portions of Monroe County) of the MONROE COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL has an opening for a TOURIST RELATED BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVE - Shall be persons involved in business which is interdependent upon

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 16TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, PROBATE DIVISION FILE # 26-CP-449-P IN RE: THE ESTATE OF ROBERT JOSEPH SOMOGYI Deceased. NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of, ROBERT JOSEPH SOMOGYI, deceased, whose date of death was 14 September 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

CITY OF MARATHON CITY COUNCIL EXECUTIVE SESSION NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the City Council consisting of Mayor Del Gaizo, Vice Mayor Struyf, Councilmembers Landry, Matlock and Still, Interim City Attorney/City Manager Steve Williams, Assistant City Attorney Alexandra Heller and Special Counsel Hudson Gill will meet in an Attorney-Client Session, pursuant to Section 286.11 (8), Florida Statutes to discuss the following case: Rodney Shands vs. City of Marathon, a Florida Municipality; Case No. 2007-CA-99-M pending in the Circuit Court for the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit in and For Monroe County, Florida. The meeting will be held on November 10, 2026 at 5:00 pm at the Marathon City Hall, 9805 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Florida. Publish: October 29, 2026. The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 26-CP-541-P DIVISION: UPPER KEYS IN RE: ESTATE OF JEROME G. ZAVAR Deceased. NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of Jerome G. Zavar, deceased, whose date of death was September 6, 2026, is pending in the Circuit Court for MONROE County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88770 Overseas Highway, Suite 2, 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, 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 October 29, 2026.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 26-CP-522-P DIVISION: UPPER KEYS IN RE: ESTATE OF HARRY THOMAS ELLIS, JR. Deceased. NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of HARRY THOMAS ELLIS, JR., deceased, whose date of death was August 18, 2026, is pending in the Circuit Court for MONROE County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88770 Overseas Highway, Suite2, 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. 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 October 22, 2026. Personal Representative: ERIN ESTELLE ELLIS 4227 Fox Trace Boynton Beach, Florida 33436 Attorney for Personal Representative: Robert M. Wolf, Attorney Florida Bar Number: 306479 Wolf & Wolf, P.A. 55 NE 5th Ave., #500 Boca Raton, Florida 33432 Telephone: (561) 338-5060 Fax: (561) 395-4701 E-Mail: robert@wolfplanning.com Secondary E-Mail: RMWBoca@ aol.com Publish: October 22 & 29, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers IN THE COUNTY COURT OF THE 17TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO: CONO-25-073091 HEALTHPRO HERITAGE AT HOME,

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 16TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 26-DR-1194-K RIGEL VALDES MARRERO, Petitioner, and INGRID SAMANTHA LOPEZ ESTRELLA, Respondent. NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE (NO CHILD OR FINANCIAL SUPPORT) TO: INGRID SAMANTHA LOPEZ ESTRELLA RESPONDENT’S LAST KNOWN ADDRESS: YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action for dissolution of marriage has

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 26-DR-1207-M JULIO GABRIEL MILIAN, Petitioner, and YADELYN QUINTANA, Respondent. NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE (NO CHILD OR FINANCIAL SUPPORT) TO: YADELYN QUINTANA RESPONDENT’S LAST KNOWN ADDRESS: 65821 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, LOT 232, LONG KEY, FL 33001 YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action for dissolution of marriage has been filed against you and that you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on JULIO GABRIEL MILIAN, whose address is 65821 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, LOT 232, LONG KEY, FL 33001 on or before November 22, 2026, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 3117 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, MARATHON FL 33050 before service on Petitioner or immediately thereafter. If you fail to do so, a default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the petition. The action is asking the court to decide how the following real or personal property should be divided: NONE Copies of all court documents in this case, including orders, are available at the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office. You may review these documents upon request. You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office notified of your current address. (You may file Designation of Current Mailing and E-Mail Address, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.915.) Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed or e-mailed to the address(es) on record at the clerk’s office. WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, requires certain automatic disclosure of documents and information. Failure to comply can result in sanctions, including dismissal or striking of pleadings. Dated: October 13, 2026 Kevin Madok, CPA, Clerk Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Leslie Turner

OCTOBER 29, 2026 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES • LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

Deputy Clerk Publish: October 22 & 29 and November 5 & 12, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

day of October 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 CLAIMANTS, BY, THROUGH, UNDER OR AGAINST LAUREN LONGOBARDI, DECEASED AND RICHARD LONGOBARDI, AS POTENTIAL HEIR TO LAUREN LONGOBARDI Defendant And the Docket Number of which is Number 2026-CC-000022-K WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 16TH day of October 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: October 22 & 29, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2025-CC-000397-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 10TH day of November 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 D12, Week 21, Beach House, a Condominium according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof recorded in Official Records Book 1510, Page 225, Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and all exhibits attached thereto, and any amendments thereof (the “Declaration”). Pursuant to the IN REM SUMMARY FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE AS TO COUNT(S) IV entered in a case pending in said Court, the 13TH day of October 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 CLAIMANTS, BY, THROUGH, UNDER OR AGAINST JILL CHRISTINE LESTER, DECEASED AND JASON LESTER, AS POTENTIAL HEIR TO JILL CHRISTINE LESTER Defendant And the Docket Number of which is Number 2025-CC-000397-K WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 16TH day of October 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: October 22 & 29, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2026-CC-000022-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 10TH day of November 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 F13, Week 7, Beach House, a Condominium according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof recorded in Official Records Book 1510, Page 225, Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and all exhibits attached thereto, and any amendments thereof (the “Declaration”). Pursuant to the IN REM SUMMARY FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE entered in a case pending in said Court, the 13TH

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2025-CC-000366-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 10TH day of November 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 F23, Week 25, Beach House, a Condominium according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof recorded in Official Records Book 1510, Page 225, Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and all exhibits attached thereto, and any amendments thereof (the “Declaration”). Pursuant to the IN REM SUMMARY FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE AS TO COUNT(S) I entered in a case pending in said Court, the 13TH day of October 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 CLAIMANTS, BY, THROUGH, UNDER OR AGAINST JAMES MCLOUGHLIN, DECEASED; JAMES MCLOUGHLIN, AS POTENTIAL HEIR TO JAMES MCLOUGHLIN; AND DIANE MCLOUGHLIN, AS POTENTIAL HEIR TO JAMES MCLOUGHLIN Defendant And the Docket Number of which is Number 2025-CC-000366-K WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 16TH day of October 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.

LEGAL NOTICES Publish: October 22 & 29, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2025-CC-000413-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 10th day of November 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 5712, Week 24, 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 the IN REM SUMMARY FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE AS TO COUNT(S) I entered in a case pending in said Court, the 13th day of October 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 JOSEPH MONTELLA, DECEASED; 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 FRANCIS JOAN MONTELLA, DECEASED; DARYL MONTELLA, AS POTENTIAL HEIR TO JOSEPH MONTELLA, AND DAVID MONTELLA, AS POTENTIAL HEIR TO JOSEPH MONTELLA Defendant And the Docket Number of which is Number 2025-CC-000413-K WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 16TH day of October 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: October 22 & 29, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2025-CC-000517-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 10th day of November 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 5423, Week 27, Annual Windward Pointe, a Leasehold Condominium (“Condominium”),

LEGAL NOTICES 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 the IN REM SUMMARY FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE entered in a case pending in said Court, the 13th day of October 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. MARYELLEN PAGAN, INDIVIDUALLY AND AS POTENTIAL HEIR TO JOHN JOSEPH PAGAN; T.J. COOK; PAMELA A. COOK; 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 JOHN JOSEPH PAGAN, DECEASED Defendant And the Docket Number of which is Number 2025-CC-000517-K WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 16TH day of October 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: October 22 & 29, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2025-CC-000620-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 10TH day of November 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 A33, Week 30, Beach House, a Condominium according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof recorded in Official Records Book 1510, Page 225, Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and all exhibits attached thereto, and any amendments thereof (the “Declaration”). Pursuant to the IN REM SUMMARY FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE AFTER DEFAULT entered in a case pending in said Court, the 13TH day of October 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. GARY RANDALL SIMMONS AND JANET ANN SIMMONS Defendant And the Docket Number of which is Number 2025-CC-000620-K WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 16TH day of October 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:

305.743.0844

LEGAL NOTICES October 22 & 29, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2025-CC-000540-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 10th day of November 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 5111, Week 21, 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 the IN REM SUMMARY FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE entered in a case pending in said Court, the 13th day of October 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 BARBARA JOHNS FOWLER, DECEASED; WAYNE E. JOHNS, AS POTENTIAL HEIR TO BARBARA JOHNS FOWLER; WAYNE E. JOHNS AS CO-SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE OF THE MICHAEL & BARBARA FOWLER LIVING TRUST DATED APRIL 21, 2016, AS POTENTIAL HEIR TO BARBARA JOHNS FOWLER; RUSSELL S. FOWLER AS COSUCCESSOR TRUSTEE OF THE MICHAEL & BARBARA FOWLER LIVING TRUST DATED APRIL 21, 2016, AS POTENTIAL HEIR TO BARBARA JOHNS FOWLER; AND RUSSELL S. FOWLER, AS POTENTIAL HEIR TO BARBARA JOHNS FOWLER Defendant And the Docket Number of which is Number 2025-CC-000540-K WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 16TH day of October 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: October 22 & 29, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

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

BOAT SLIP/RACK FOR RENT Dockage up to 60’ Islamorada -Bayside, 50 amp service. Easy access to Channel 5. Price LOWER than marina. Call 8 6 0 - 9 8 2 - 4 5 1 7 Boat Slip &/or Rack For Rent in Marathon at The Boat House, Vaca Key. Call Tony 561-346-6400

COMMERCIAL SPACE

EMPLOYMENT

PRIME COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE ON US 1 available for rent in Marathon. 3,000 SF and 2,000 SF avail. Let's make a deal! Call or text Tony at 860-428-1506 Email: R2tpinc@gmail.com

The Housing Authority of the City of Key West now hiring the following position: Full-time Carpenter. To apply, please contact Human Resources at: greenel@kwha.org or 305-2965621 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.

EMPLOYMENT HIRING: Janitor needed for Marathon area. Twice a week, after 5pm. Contact Juan Galan at 7 8 6 - 2 6 3 - 8 4 3 3 Marathon Yacht Club is hiring a part-time Bartender and Server. Flexible evening shifts 3:30-9:00 at a private club. Must provide photo ID, social security card or passport, and checking account. Email office@marathonyachtclub. com or call 305-743-6739 to schedule an interview. Experienced FT Line Cook needed at the Cabana Club, an ocean front private swim club. 10AM - 5PM, Good Pay. Small friendly staff. Apply in person at 425 E. Ocean Dr. Key Colony Beach or call 404-219-3359 and ask for Dave Serve/Bartend on the ocean! The Cabana Club, an ocean front private swim club is seeking a customer serviceoriented Server/Bartender. Serve on pool deck, beach and/or bar lounge. Open year round, 9:30am-7pm daily. Full time/Part time. Small friendly staff. Above average hourly wage plus tips. Apply in person at 425 E. Ocean Dr. Key Colony Beach or call 404-219-3359 and ask for Dave.

PLACE YOUR EMPLOYMENT AD HERE. $25/week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305-743-0844 or Email Anneke @keysweekly.com

HOUSING FOR RENT ANNUAL RENTAL - Key Largo 3BR/2BA new kitchen, Spacious Doublewide modular on canal w/40’ dock, direct ocean access. Very nice community $3500/month 7 8 6 - 2 5 8 - 3 1 2 7 Renovated 2BR/1BA unfurnished 1/'2 duplex in Marathon for rent. New A/C, washer/dryer, small backyard. Year lease. $2,700/mo. Se habla espanol. 954-798-6109 3 BR/2 BA home for rent in Key Colony Beach. 75' premium dock. $3,800/month + utilities. F/L/S 786-229-0228 2 BR available in Marathon for long term rental. On the water, gated property, $2,200/ month includes limited electricity. First/Security. Small pets ok for separate fee. Call 3 0 5 - 6 1 0 - 8 0 0 2

Staff Accountant Position Available • Experience with accounting software and Microsoft Office required. • Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, write-up work, bank reconciliations, processing payroll/payroll taxes, sales/tourist tax, and quarterly payroll returns. • Must be able to handle financial information with sensitivity and integrity. • Must be dependable, punctual, a people person, and possess a professional attitude. • Must live in or near Marathon, Florida. • Full-Time, Mon-Fri, In person, Benefits incl. 401(k) Please submit resumes via email: joanne@flkeyscpa.com or in person at 5800 Overseas Hwy, Suite 17, Marathon, FL 33050

FRANK’S GRILL

NOW HIRING LINE COOK

Top Pay– according to ability. Cleanliness & the ability to speak & read English is a must.

SERVER BUSSER For all positions, please apply in person at 11400 Overseas Highway, Marathon 305-289-7772

KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS / OCTOBER 29, 2026

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES • 305.743.0844 • CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES • 305.743.0844 HOUSING WANTED HOUSING WANTED TO RENT: Long-term rental at Cobia Point, Marathon. Will pay top dollar. Current Daytona Beach resident. Former Keys resident who wants to return. Please call Jan Burch at 2519 7 8 - 6 2 6 7

MISC. FOR SALE Cargo Container Storage Units For Sale in Marathon. 20'-50' long, various pricing. Call 305-610-8002 Rosi's Secret Garden Bromeliads, Episcias & Aglonemas For Sale Anytime. Located on Big Coppit Key. Call 305-296-7183 PLACE YOUR AD HERE! $25/week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305-7430844 or Email Anneke@ k e y s w e e k l y . c o m

RV SITE FOR RENT RV Site for rent in Marathon. Up to 35', private gated property. Dockage available. 305-610-8002 PLACE YOUR AD HERE! $25/week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305-7430844 or Email Anneke@ k e y s w e e k l y . c o m

WANTED TO BUY PRIVATE COLLECTOR WANTS Rolex, Dive Watches and Pilot Watches. Old Model Military Clocks & Watches. Call 305-743-4578

SEE DOLPHINS PLAY EVERYDAY!

NOW HIRING!

EXPERIENCED CONSTRUCTION LABORERS

VOLUNTEER RESOURCES ASSISTANT

We are hiring Experienced Construction Laborers. 2 yrs or more experience required. Monday-Friday with overtime possible.

(FT, Permanent)

is a fun, environmentally friendly non-profit 501(c)(3) organization specializing in education, research, and rescue of marine mammals. DRC provides for the well-being of its employees with a competitive package including: a 401k retirement plan, medical benefits, HSA account, paid holidays/vacation/sick days, an employee assistance program, in addition to, life and disability insurance at no cost to the employee. EOE

COME JOIN THE FAMILY!

Email your resume and a DRC application to drc-hr@dolphins.org

DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER 58901 O/S Hwy - Grassy Key, FL

PLACE YOUR YARD SALE AD HERE! $25/week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305743-0844 or Email: Anneke@ k e y s w e e k l y . c o m

EXPERIENCED HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR We are hiring Experienced Heavy Equipment Operators. 1 yr or more experience required. Monday-Friday with overtime possible. Please apply in person at Charley Toppino & Sons, Inc., 129 Toppino Industrial Drive, Key West. Or contact Agnes at 305-296-5606 ext 126 or agnes@charleytoppino.com

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

YARD SALES

OPERATOR/MAINTAINER D’Asign Source is seeking the following professionals. Overtime and benefits are available. Home Décor Sales Consultant Seeking a 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. Finish Carpenter Experienced finish carpenter needed for high end residential work. Must have own tools and reliable transportation. Attention to detail and dependable work ethic required. Interior and Exterior work. Competitive pay and benefits. Working Project Construction Foreman Competitive pay and benefits. For complete details and to apply, please visit DAsignSource.com/careers

BARTENDERS WAIT STAFF - HOST/HOSTESS BUS PERSONS Apply in person at

SUNSET GRILLE & RAW BAR 7 Knight’s Key Blvd, Marathon

NOW HIRING!

DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER

TURN YOUR CARDS INTO CASH! Marathon collector buying any and all Pokemon cards & collections. Call 401-256-0645.

SARA’S ESTATE SALE at WATERFRONT MANSION on LUX DUCK KEY: 112 Bimini Drive, Duck Key (MM 61, oceanside), Fri & Sat, Oct. 30 & 31, 9a to 1p. This is a do-notmiss sale at a beautiful home filled with beautiful things infused with a luxury coastal vibe. Four standouts: pair of peacock fan back vintage rattan chairs, a Schmidt pool table, a coral & glass dining table that seats 8 & an enormous wicker armoire with intricate detail. Art by Dan Goad & Shay Rieger, crystal by Baccarat & vintage (huge) Kilim rug. We have a white wicker patio sectional with 10 pieces, plus patio dining tables, and two-seat vignettes. Also: Bedroom furniture sets in wicker & bamboo, coastal bamboo living set, giant oatmeal color (white-ish?) sectional sofa and three asian antiques (console, stacked chest, little dresser). A few pieces to interest fly fishermen, top notch kitchen pots & pans, tools & a kayak. To see the full sale, visit estatesales.net. (Turn off US1 near MM61, follow the signs & park with consideration.)

Please apply in person at Charley Toppino & Sons, Inc., 129 Toppino Industrial Drive, Key West. Or contact Agnes at 305-296-5606 ext 126 or agnes@charleytoppino.com

SUNSET GRILLE NOW HIRING

Starting pay rate for this position, depending on qualifications and experience: $41.95/hr - $46.99/hr For more information, including job duties and required qualifications, and to apply for the job, please visit their website at www.KeysEnergy.com. KEYS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. KEYS promotes a Drug-Free Workplace. Certain service members, veterans, the spouses and family members of service members and veterans, receive preference and priority in employment, and are encouraged to apply for positions being filled.

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

SUBSTATION ELECTRICIAN

(High Voltage Substation Electrical Technician) Starting pay rate for this position, depending on qualifications and experience: $48.47/hr. - $54.28/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.

wants you to join their team!

RETAIL GIFT SHOP ASSOCIATE Full-time. $19/hour to start.

EMAIL resume to: TurtleHospital@TurtleHospital.org APPLY in person: 2396 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL

OCTOBER 29, 2026 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC && LEGAL NOTICES • • 305.743.0844 • CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC LEGAL NOTICES 305.743.0844 The Guidance/Care Center, Inc. a division of “Uplifting the human spirit since 1973”

THE GUIDANCE/CARE CENTER, Inc.

IS HIRING! JOIN A HIGHLY EFFECTIVE NONPROFIT HELPING PEOPLE COPE AND CHANGE FOR 53 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 (Child, FT) Front Desk Triage Specialist (FT) Peer Support Specialist (FT) *Mental Health Technician (PT) KEY WEST Crisis Counselor (PT or FT) Prevention Specialist (FT) *Mental Health Technician (FT, PT) MARATHON Driver (CDL NOT required) (FT, PT) Registered Nurse (PT) Behavioral Health Therapist (Adult, PT) Behavioral Health Therapist (Child, FT) *Mental Health Technician (FT) *Support Worker (Assisted Living) (FT, PT) *Behavioral Health Technicians (FT, PT) *No experience required for this position. Will train. A caring heart & helpful hands necessary. Background and drug screen req. EEOC/DFWP COMPETITIVE PAY! EXCEPTIONAL BENEFITS!!! Apply at guidancecarecenter.org - Get Involved/ Join our team/Job Opportunities/location/zip

THE GUIDANCE/CARE CENTER, INC. “Uplifting the human spirit since 1973”

IS HIRING for The Heron Assisted Living Facility! Interested in gaining health care experience in a comfortable canal front home? Like giving care & assisting with life skills for 16 residents? Well-rounded team player able to handle a variety of responsibilities? Able to make meals, do paperwork, and hold a clean three yr. driver’s license? Available for PT or FT shifts 8am-4pm, 2pm-10pm Monday-Sunday? If so, you would be a great SUPPORT WORKER! No experience required for this position, we will train. A caring heart and helpful hands are necessary.

We offer flexibility; a minimum 16 hrs. & shift differentials! Background and drug screen req. EEOC/DFWP COMPETITIVE PAY! EXCEPTIONAL BENEFITS!!! Apply at guidancecarecenter.org - Get Involved/ Join our team/Job Opportunities/location/zip

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 - Medical Assistant, Urology – Marathon, $5k Bonus - Patient Access Associate, General Surgery – Tavernier, $5k Bonus

A Great Place to Bank, is a Great Place to WORK! Key West Teller Assistant Maintenance Manager Maintenance Technician Islamorada Customer Service Representative Key Largo Teller IT Technician II

BAPTIST HEALTH CANCER CARE | KEY WEST - Medical Assistant, OP Procedures, Key West WCI, $5k Bonus - Pool Radiation Therapist - Radiation Therapist, $12k Bonus - Registered Nurse, Chemotherapy Infusion, Per Diem TAVERNIER MARINERS HOSPITAL - Cook, $5k Bonus - Food Service Worker, Dietary, $5k Bonus - Manager of Wellness Center, FT - Mechanic, Facility Operations, FT - Medical Technologist, Per Diem - Multi-Modality Imaging Tech, (CT & X Ray), $25k Bonus - Multi-Modality Imaging Tech 2, (Echo & Vascular w/Ultrasound Preferred), $25k Bonus - Pharmacy Technician, Mariners Hospital, $7k Bonus - Phlebotomist, Laboratory, Per Diem - Registered Nurse, Surgery, $15k Bonus MARATHON FISHERMEN’S COMMUNITY HOSPITAL - Cook, Dietary, FT - ED Team Coordinator, PT & FT - MC Multi-Modality Imaging Tech, CT & X Ray, $25k Bonus - MC Multi-Modality Imaging Tech, CT & X Ray, Radiology, $25k Bonus - Manager Plant Operations, Facility Operations - Mechanic, Facility Operations, FT - Medical Technologist 2, $20k Bonus - Multi-Modality Imaging Tech 1, (CT & X Ray), Radiology, $25k Bonus - Patient Care/Nursing House Supervisor (MH/FCH), $20k Bonus - Patient Financial Associate, $10k Bonus - Patient Scheduler, Surgery, FT - Pool Med Technologist, Laboratory, Per Diem - Registered Nurse, Emergency Department, FT & Per Diem - Registered Nurse, Multispecialty Acute Care Center, $25k Bonus - Registered Nurse, PACU, $15k Bonus - Registered Nurse, PACU, Per Diem - Registered Respiratory Therapist, $25k Bonus - Registered Respiratory Therapist, PT, $12,500 Bonus - Security Officer, FT, 7A-7:30P 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

Apply Online @ KeysBank.com/Careers

Member FDIC Equal Housing Lender

EOE-M/F/V/D

NOW HIRING IN ISLAMORADA

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 eliteboatrentalsmatt@gmail.com. Please include contact information and any relevant experience.

NOW HIRING IN ISLAMORADA

MARINA CASHIER 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. Please respond by email (Matt at islamarinamatt@gmail.com) with any relevant previous experience and at least two references.

CONCRETE CONCRETE MADE TO LAST

MADE TO LAST Proudly serving Key West to Islamorada as the ONLY locally owned and operated concrete company in the Florida Keys.

GET IN TOUCH

Whether you’re building a large commercial building, FDOT bridge, or a customdesigned home, we have concrete mix designs for every project. Thanks to

Key West

decades of experience, our team can create custom mixes with high-quality additives for specific project needs. We offer the largest variety of materials and operate the only FDOT-certified ready-mix plants in the Florida Keys.

Call us for all ready-mix concrete, block, aggregate, rebar and bagged good needs.

Monroe Concrete 155 Toppino Industrial Drive Key West, 305-296-9934 Monroe Concrete Marathon 1500 107th Street Gulf Marathon, 305-743-5800