Key West Weekly 24-0523

Stunning Shark Key residence

Nestled within an exclusive waterfront gated community just minutes from Key West, Shark Key offers an unparalleled coastal living experience. From this home, you can enjoy sweeping open water views of the Gulf, adding to the allure of this remarkable location. Step inside to discover an inviting open floor plan bathed in natural light, complemented by glass doors and expansive patios perfect for basking in the sunrise and sunset sea breezes. Uniquely positioned, this residence stands alone as the only home in Shark Key with direct access to the serene sand beach and swimming lagoon via a private path. Experience resort-style living with a brand-new heated and chilled pool, complete with WiFi controls, alongside a secluded observation deck, floating dock, and charming Tiki Hut, ideal for entertaining guests. Indoors, a newly renovated kitchen awaits, boasting top-of-the-line appliances and smart technology, while covered parking, exterior storage, and an air-conditioned workshop cater to practical needs. With four ensuite bedrooms, including an elegant master suite featuring a spacious master bath, a laundry room, and additional loft space ideal for a home office, this home offers both comfort and functionality. Other amenities of Shark Key include tennis courts, pickleball courts, a clubhouse, swimming lagoon and private beach.

5450 MacDonald Ave. No.5

Key West, FL 33040

Office: 305.453.6928 www.keysweekly.com

Publisher / Britt Myers britt@keysweekly.com

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Members of

140.6M

Florida welcomed 140.6 million visitors last year, an increase of 2.3% from 2022’s record-breaking figure. A total of 129.1 million visitors from across the U.S. stayed and explored Florida in 2023, along with 8.3 million overseas visitors and 3.2 million Canadian visitors.

KEY WEST ATTORNEY MARCI ROSE ENTERS CITY COMMISSION RACE

She faces Aaron Castillo & Thaddeus Cohen for District 6 seat

Key West attorney and Bahama Village resident Marci L. Rose this week became the third candidate to enter the race for the District 6 seat on the city commission.

Longtime District 6 commissioner Clayton Lopez is term-limited out. Rose faces two other candidates — Aaron Castillo and Thaddeus Cohen — in the most crowded city race thus far. District 6 includes Bahama Village, the neighborhood around Key West cemetery, much of Duval and Simonton streets from Southard to the Atlantic Ocean and the residential neighborhood around Catherine, Virginia and South streets.

As city races are nonpartisan, they could be decided during the Aug. 20 primary election. If one candidate for an office receives more than 50% of the vote, that candidate is declared the winner in August. In races with more than two candidates, if no one secures more than 50%, then the top two votegetters proceed to a run-off election on Nov. 5.

Here is a look at the candidates who have declared:

Marci Rose

Rose has lived in Key West since 1983 and in Bahama Village since 1998, states her candidacy announcement.

“She is past president of Reef Relief, past board member of Last Stand and recently served on the Bahama Village Redevelopment Advisory Committee, which advises the city commission about how to spend tax money collected in Bahama Village on projects that benefit that community.

“As Reef Relief president from 1998 to 2004, Rose successfully advo-

cated for major upgrades to the city’s advanced wastewater treatment facility, which ended sewage discharges into local waters,” her announcement states. “As chairman of Clean Florida Keys, she was instrumental in securing federal recognition of U.S. 1 as a National Scenic Highway and helped develop the master plan for the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail, the 106-mile-long bicycle path that runs from Key Largo to Key West.

“Rose is the owner of a successful law practice focusing on real estate, estate planning and probate law. As a founding board member of the Bahama Conch Community Land Trust, she was a leader in early efforts to counter gentrification in Bahama Village. She continues to advocate for housing solutions in District 6, most recently as a member of the Bahama Village Redevelopment Advisory Committee (BVRAC).

“We are at a pivotal stage in the growth of our beautiful city and we have big challenges — from housing, to water quality, to health care,” Rose said. “My track record shows I can work with our state and federal partners to get things done and make positive change in the city.”

Aaron Castillo

Aaron Castillo is a “lifelong Conch, born and raised in Key West,” he said. He is the longtime funeral director and operator of Key West Mortuary, formerly known as Castillo & Thurston Mortuary, on Whitehead Street.

He has served on the Bahama Village Redevelopment Advisory Board, the Citizens Review Board, the Monroe County Housing Authority Board and several others.

“Bahama Village needs a lot of work, and I’m here to stay,” Castillo said at a February candidates event

It’s graduation season, and the Keys Weekly wishes the Class of 2024 all the best in everything that comes next. See page 20 for this year’s Take Stock in Children graduates who earned college scholarships through their hard work and their families’ commitment to their education.

held by Hometown, a nonpartisan voter education group. “I’m planted and I’ll work to my bones to get things done.”

Thaddeus Cohen

Thaddeus Cohen is an architect by trade who worked as Key West’s planning director from 2015 to 2017. From 2004 to 2007, he was secretary of Florida’s then-Department of Community Affairs, which regulated development in the state. He has worked in county-level administration, planning and growth management positions throughout Florida. Cohen also was a finalist for the city manager position last year following the retirement of Patti McLauchlin.

At the Hometown event in February, Cohen touted his success in securing Truman Waterfront from the Navy for the city of Key West as well as his role in creating the successful Duval Loop free bus route around Duval Street.

In other city races

• Former Key West Police Chief Donie Lee is running for commissioner Billy Wardlow’s seat in New Town’s District 3. Wardlow is term-limited out and Lee is running unopposed as of May 22.

Lee is a native Key Wester who served for 25 years with the police department, including 10 years as chief.

• In District 1, Monica Haskell and Ben Hennington are running for the Old Town seat currently held by Jimmy Weekley, who also has reached his term limit.

Haskell has held positions in Keys government since the 1990s and co-founded the first charter school in Monroe County. Hennington is a community activist and fundraiser, who is the reigning Fantasy Fest king.

• As of May 22, former Monroe County tax collector Danise “Dee Dee” Henriquez is unopposed for mayor, as Mayor Teri Johnston decided not to seek a final term.

• For information about candidates and their fundraising contributions, visit keyselections.org.

Marci L. Rose

Aaron Castillo

Thaddeus Cohen

MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

CAPS, GOWNS — AND LIFE VESTS

SOMERSET ISLAND PREP CONTINUES JET SKI GRADUATION TRADITION

ACOVID-era innovation is now a graduation tradition for a charter high school in Key West, where on May 17, the Class of 2024 throttled across Key West Harbor on jet skis to accept their diplomas.

Somerset Island Prep principal Tom Rompella, perched in a black gown aboard a jet ski, handed out the scrolls with a mechanical gripping device while families and friends cheered and snapped photos from the nearby Sunset Pier at Ocean Key Resort.

The commencement ceremony started traditionally enough, as 30 graduates (two were absent) processed in a line to their seats on the

pier, where speakers discussed the students’ accomplishments and the possibilities still to come.

At the direction of headmaster Nick Wright, the class donned life jackets under their gowns and boarded jet skis donated by Fury Watersports, which has sponsored the event since it began in 2020 when social distancing requirements demanded an alternative solution.

Somerset Island Prep, a charter high school in Key West, on May 17 holds its jet ski graduation ceremony that has been tradition since the COVID pandemic demanded social distancing in 2020. Graduates throttle across Key West Harbor to accept their diplomas from principal Tom Rompella following a more traditional ceremony on the nearby Sunset Pier at Ocean Key Resort. LARRY BLACKBURN/Keys Weekly

MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

It’s that time of year again! I hope all of you have your hurricane plans ready to go. Some of us may know a new neighbor or resident who is not as familiar with storm season. Now is a great time to go over your plans and reach out to others as well. Like I tell my staff, we’re all in this together!

HURRICANE SEASON RUNS FROM JUNE 1 TO NOVEMBER 30. HERE’S A LIST OF THINGS EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE ON HAND:

• Water (one gallon per person per day)

• Non-perishable food

• Manual can opener and cooking supplies

• First-aid kit

• Prescription medicines

• Personal hygiene items

• Important documents and phone numbers

• Emergency cash

• Battery-operated radio, NOAA weather radio

• Cell phone and charger

• Sunscreen and bug/mosquito spray

• Matches and lighters

• A camping stove with fuel or charcoal

• Fire extinguisher

• Heavy-duty plastic bags

• Pet supplies and medications

For more information on hurricane preparedness and county re-entry, go to www.monroecountyem.com Let’s make this storm season as safe as we can!

Monroe County Sheriff, Rick Ramsay

REIMAGINING THE SEVEN MILE BRIDGE

A bike lane is one option on the table

The Seven Mile Bridge will eventually be replaced, state officials said at a May 16 meeting. FLORIDA KEYS NEWS BUREAU/Contributed

GWEN FILOSA gwen@keysweekly.com

First things first: Florida Department of Transportation officials want everyone to know the Seven Mile Bridge is NOT structurally unsafe.

It’s solid, they’ve repeatedly said publicly. No worries.

But like the rest of us, the iconic two-lane span built in 1982 and unveiled as a marvel of engineering innovation isn’t getting any younger.

The bridge has been through six major rehabilitations, with one more set to start in December 2025 and scheduled for completion in October 2026.

“The Seven Mile Bridge is not structurally deficient,” said Silvia Beltre, consultant project manager, at FDOT’s May 16 “kickoff meeting” on the Seven Mile Bridge project development and environment (PD&E) study.

“The bridge has faced repeated durability and maintenance issues that have led to six major rehabilitations through 2019,” Beltre said. “The annual cost of maintaining the existing bridge will continue to increase.”

State officials have been talking about a new Seven Mile Bridge for years.

A 2022 FDOT report recommended replacing it rather than continuing rehab efforts.

“A new bridge could be designed to minimize corrosion and maintenance costs,” Beltre said. “Furthermore, a new bridge would be designed to meet the minimum 75-year bridge service life requirement.”

The study, which is the second of six phases for the project, evaluates the potential social, economic and environmental effects associated with the bridge.

This means it’s time to brainstorm, FDOT officials said.

What could a brand new Seven Mile Bridge have that the current one,

with two 12-foot lanes, 6-foot shoulders and no sidewalks, doesn’t?

Locals have brought up having dedicated bicycle and pedestrian paths. FDOT officials said they would have protective dividers separating walkers, runners and bicyclists from vehicle traffic.

“A lot of the people in my community are really excited about the idea of a dedicated pedestrian and bicycle lane,” said county commissioner Michelle Lincoln of Marathon at the May 14 meeting.

“It is so much fun to travel through the Keys walking and bicycling,” Lincoln said. “This would be a wonderful way for them to safely get from one side of the bridge to the other.”

The current bridge replacement alternatives will be based on two lanes of traffic, FDOT officials said. A traffic study will be conducted that will confirm the capacity needs, but no plans exist to add vehicle lanes.

Mark Terrill, who has a Keys bike business, said that for the last 13 years he’s received calls from across the world from people concerned about bicycling over the Seven Mile Bridge.

“If you were to have a dedicated bike lane over the Seven Mile Bridge, not only would that enhance the type of tourism I think the Keys really would like, but also it would really promote safety,” Terrill said.

“All the years I’ve gone over the Seven Mile Bridge on a bike, I’ve noticed an uptick of runners and hikers,” Terrill said. “This would just put Monroe County on the map in terms of being a world-class bicycling destination.”

Jethón Williams II, Monroe County’s TV/multimedia manager, asked for details.

“I’m thinking something like the Brooklyn Bridge, where you have lanes for vehicles, then you have a divider, then a pedestrian/walking/running/cycling path,” he told FDOT officials.

A “shared use path” is exactly what FDOT is considering, an official replied.

KEY LARGO FLOOD MITIGATION PROJECT TO START SOON

In January 2022, Twin Lakes resident Stephanie Russo showed state and county officials how flooding affects residents’ quality of life when the roads are inundated with up to 2 feet of water, at one point, for 90 consecutive days. KRISTEN LIVENGOOD/Monroe County

Monroe County is about to start bailing out one Key Largo neighborhood long plagued by flooding that leaves standing water for weeks or months at a time.

Construction will start this year on a $22 million project designed to bring relief to residents who have suffered home damage and been left marooned due to impassable roads during rainstorms, storm surge, high tide and king tides.

The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners at its meeting May 15 approved the start of the project, which is funded by federal and state grants along with money the county had already budgeted. The total cost to the county is $9.1 million

“We are excited to begin construction of the county’s first pilot project for road elevation and help the neighborhood maintain access to their homes and become more resilient to sea level rise,” said Rhonda Haag, the county’s chief resilience officer.

A ground-breaking event will take place this summer or early fall.

County staff succeeded in getting a share of the Resilience Florida funding from the state budget.

“Thanks to our staff and our federal lobbyists who jumped on a funding opportunity that hasn’t been available for the past decade,” Monroe County Mayor Holly Raschein said.

Raschein specifically credited U.S. Rep. Carlos Giménez, a Republican who represents Monroe County and the southwest part of Miami-Dade County, for supporting the funding request.

“The community cannot remain safe and secure without functioning roadways, operational stormwater systems and supporting infrastructure,” Raschein said.

County spokeswoman Kristen Livengood said the “shovel-ready” project will raise roads, install new drainage and stormwater collection systems.

Commissioners approved a contract with Ferreira Construction for the construction. Crews will work on portions of Shaw Drive, Crane Street and Adams Drive.

Easing neighborhood-wide flooding is expensive and complex, said Judy Clarke, the county’s director of roads and bridges. It involves taking into account water management, stormwater road runoff and residential properties.

“We wish it were as simple as raising the road, but it isn’t,” Clarke said.

The Twin Lakes project spans 4,633 linear feet of road and will protect 105 residential structures in the Twin Lakes subdivision, Livengood said.

Monroe County has spent more than a decade working on resiliency in the Keys. The county maintains 311 miles of roads among 1,200 road segments across the Keys.

GWEN FILOSA gwen@keysweekly.com

COUNTY HOSTS

CAMPS ON BIG PINE, STOCK ISLAND & PLANTATION KEY

Registration is now open for kids 6 through 12

The county’s Parks & Beaches division will host several weeks of summer day camp on Stock Island, Big Pine Key and Plantation Key. CONTRIBUTED

Starting in June, Monroe County Parks and Beaches will host several summer camps for children ages 6 through 12 throughout the Florida Keys. Registration is open now until 10 days before the camp start dates. Campers must be fully registered 10 days prior to the camp date.

Cost: $20 per day/$10 per extra child (additional fees for field trips may apply).

What campers can expect: Fun activities, arts and crafts, on-site or off-site field trips, games and more.

Times: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during dates listed here.

To apply, make payments or for additional information, please contact the staff member below:

Lower Keys: Mike Piekenbrock: piekenbrock-mike@ monroecounty-fl.gov, 305-3941173

Upper Keys: Naomi Pagidas: pagidas-naomi@monroecounty-fl.gov, 305-453-8726

CAMP DATES &

LOCATIONS

Bernstein Park

July 29-Aug. 2

Big Pine Park

June 3-7

June 24-28

July 22-26

Aug. 5-9

Plantation Key

Community Center

June 10, 11, 13 and 14 (no camp on June 12)

July 15-19

— Contributed

WHAT’S YOUR VISION FOR DEVELOPMENT IN THE KEYS?

Over the next year, county and municipal leaders will be tasked with arriving at a final number of building allocations to request from the state in 2025.

First

in

survey series focuses on ROGO/BPAS knowledge

The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is committed to a robust public participation process regarding the state-mandated hurricane evacuation modeling discussions that will continue through January 2025. But, do you know what ROGO and BPAS mean and why they are important for the future of the Florida Keys?

Monroe County community members are invited to take a survey, the first of several, that focuses on understanding the community’s current knowledge of the Rate of Growth Ordinance (ROGO) and Building Permit Allocation System (BPAS), where you currently get your Monroe County information, and where you would like to get future information from.

The survey can be found by scanning the QR code.

The nine-question survey shouldn’t take too long (about 3 minutes). Additional surveys will be available in June to help gauge what the community wants to see moving forward. Monroe County continues to host workshops and updates during regularly scheduled BOCC meetings and will be meeting with nonprofit and civic groups throughout the summer regarding the Department of Commerce’s hurricane evacuation modeling to gauge public interest in finding the “sweet spot” of the number of ROGO/BPAS allocations the county and municipalities would like to request from the state. The hurricane evacuation modeling is based on a Florida statute requiring that Monroe County residents be able to evacuate the Florida Keys within 24 hours before a storm. The allocations could potentially be issued over the next 10 to 20 years, with implications for growth in the county and potential liability in takings cases. To learn more about these terms, why they are important, to view the process, or to see upcoming meetings, visit www. monroecounty-fl.gov/rogo2024. The survey is available until Friday, June 7 at 5 p.m.

— Contributed

‘‘The churches of Christ greet you.’’ Romans 16:16 NKJV

ENGLISH SERVICE

Sunday Bible Study 10am Service 11am

Wednesday Bible Study 7:30pm

Evangelist Rodrigue Aleandre Cell 305.296.3331

KREYOL SEVIS

Dimanch Klas Biblik 7:30pm

Adorasyon 8:30pm

Madi Klas Biblik 7:30pm Minis Rodrigue Aleandre Cell 305.296.3331

SERVICIO ESPAÑOL

Domingo Estudio Biblico a las 5pm

Servicio de Adoración a las 6pm

Jueves Estudio Biblico a las 7pm

Ministro Pedro Ruiz Celda 347.430.2263

1700 VON PHISTER ST, KEY WEST

‘‘Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may be well with you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you.’’ Deuteronomy 5:16 NKJV

THE BIG SCREEN

Video simulations help train police for various scenarios

Ayoung man sits in an empty playground, wearing headphones over the hood of his sweatshirt, his hands in the pocket of the hoodie. Nearby is a woman who has called the police. The woman says the man hasn’t done anything, but he makes her nervous.

The man, who has ignored the woman, also ignores a police officer’s attempts to communicate, seeming lost in whatever he hears on the headphones. Asked to show his hands, the man brings an angular silver object out of his sweatshirt pocket.

Now what?

This situation played out recently at the Marathon headquarters of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. But it was on a large, panoramic video screen in a training room where, in one corner, Deputy Frank Westerband operated a computer that displayed the simulated scenario from the point of view of the officer.

Deputies in the county are getting advanced help in working through their possible reactions to a variety of scenarios, thanks to video simulation equipment that can reproduce a city street, a church, a bank lobby and more.

The equipment allows more deputies to be trained in less time, at lower cost and in more types of situations. Scenarios can be paused for discussion of specific moments. The operator can alter the responses of the on-screen characters.

MIKE HOWIE mike@keysweekly.com

1. A computerized video depicts a church to members of the Citizens Police Academy, run by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. MIKE HOWIE/Keys Weekly

2. Frank Westerband operates the video simulation equipment.

3. The simulator depicts an active shooter inside a building.

4. Frank Westerband explains a scenario to the members of the Citizens Police Academy

Sheriff Rick Ramsay saw the system on display at a law enforcement conference.

“It can create any scenario you want,” he said, “on the water, on the land, on traffic, on a building search, in a school.”

The computer-driven simulation, based in Marathon and portable to the Upper and Lower Keys, uses one to three floor-to-ceiling screens that, joined together, produce a panoramic view. It features hundreds of situations.

“It allows deputies to decide when to use what type of force and why,” said Westerband.

One scenario, just seven seconds long, depicts a traffic stop. A woman driving the car has gotten out and is holding her license out.

That video helps train officers’ powers of observation, said Westerband. In the pocket of the open car door, a handgun is visible. The driver’s license is in a vertical format, which means the driver is under 21 –too young to own a handgun under Florida law. There is a passenger in the car.

Deputies need to absorb all those things quickly.

The scenario also allows a discussion of the legal situation. Is the gun stored properly? To whom does it belong? Is the driver under arrest?

Westerband will ask those questions, while reminding trainees about the driver: “She has rights.”

The trainees have electronic pistols, Tasers, shotguns and pepper spray, which all interact with the screen.

“We can see where the rounds are hitting,” Ramsay said. “Are they on target?”

Part of the training is about not using weapons at all, but helping deputies learn how to talk to people.

“The job (of being an officer) is a lot of listening and understanding,” Westerband said.

“We’re able to evaluate their verbal skills to de-escalate, command presence, decision-making,” Ramsay said.

In the scenario at the playground, Westerband said, the young man is on the autism spectrum. The park is a public place and he hasn’t broken any laws. The item he brings from his pocket is a toy. He is no threat.

The operator of the training has some control over how the characters react, even how they answer questions.

“Engaging with people, that’s a value of the system,” said Lt. Trevor Wirth, director of the training division and of school resource officers for MCSO. “You’re going to encounter difficult people.” The video training allows a deputy “to sit there and talk to a screen and teach yourself to keep your composure.”

The video simulation equipment, which cost about $145,000 in November, was paid for using money forfeited in drug cases. It has repaid much of its cost already, by reducing the use – and cost – of live ammunition and by reducing the time it takes to set up training scenarios.

It’s not the only training deputies receive, Wirth noted. They use a firing range in Marathon, which is large enough to be set up as a home or business. They are trained in driving under different situations. They have classroom sessions on how to write reports. Deputies also learn selfdefense tactics – “You can’t really get that on a simulator,” he said.

While many officers praise the video training, Westerband finds that younger deputies take to it more easily – they’ve grown up interacting with video screens. Older officers tend to prefer live interaction, he said.

The training not only allows development of habits and reflexes, but also helps deputies “to talk about what we’re allowed to do,” Westerband said. “People think cops are able to do whatever they want.” While officers have leeway, “We have to follow the law. … The main thing is we are concerned about rights.”

“We don’t want to have our officers in a deadly-force situation,” Ramsay said, “but if they are in a deadly-force situation, they’ll more likely be successful and go home at the end of their shift to their families.”

Mentoring and scholarship program totals $1.6 million in 2024 awards

TAKE STOCK IN CHILDREN GRADUATES 64

ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

Take Stock in Children graduates, mentors, friends and family from Key Largo to Key West converged on Marathon High School on the morning of May 18 to commemorate the 64 new graduates of the renowned program.

Adding to a group that now totals 1,082 graduates from Take Stock Monroe, this year’s class earned a collective 3.53 average GPA en route to amassing $1.6 million in Florida Prepaid college tuition scholarships. The graduates are fully committed to postsecondary education in the fall of 2024, with 59% enrolling in state colleges, 36% in state universities and 5% in career and technical institutions.

“Our team of success coaches and our family of mentors couldn’t be prouder of this amazing group of 64 graduates,” said Monroe County Education Foundation (MCEF) executive director Chuck Licis-Masson. “This class represents years of perseverance, grit, and determination as well as hundreds and hundreds of combined mentor session hours; we are thrilled to celebrate their accomplishments as they begin the next chapter of their educational career with their Take Stock in Children scholarship.”

Saturday’s remarks included comments by MCEF vice president Ron Saunders, superintendent Theresa Axford and graduates Lagina Caldwell, Jason Flynn and Zeko Sharpe Jr. before a commencement address from 2001 Take Stock graduate and current school district payroll manager Kaleena Rodrigues. Guests included Take Stock in Children president and CEO Jillian Hasner.

Take Stock in Children Monroe is an educational nonprofit dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty by providing scholarships, mentors and hope to dedicated underprivileged youth through a multiyear mentorship program. More information is available from Licis-Masson at chuck. licis@monroecountyedfound.com or 305-293-1546.

1. Take Stock in Children celebrates a graduating class of 64 for 2024.

2. Marathon’s Marquisha Abraham leads the procession for the class of 2024.

3. Mentor Autumn Hager, left, escorts Coral Shores mentee Natalie Barajas.

4. Coral Shores’ Isaac Perez Mejia, right, gets a photo op with mentor Buck Schottland.

5. Marathon’s Zeko Sharpe Jr., right, pauses for a photo with mentor Arthur Jansik.

6. Mentor Peter Amendola, left, congratulates Coral Shores mentee Robert Rodriguez.

7. Key West’s Clerf Alexandre, right, takes the stage with mentor Monroe Holloway III.

8. Mentor Daniel Clark, left, celebrates Key West mentee Carlos Aliz Rodriguez.

9. Key West’s Tcheniya Brevil shares a moment on stage with mentor Cagle Ann Petit.

10. Dayanara Fernandez-Alvarez, right, takes the stage with mentor Ashley Arrabal.

11. MCEF executive director Chuck LicisMasson welcomes graduates’ friends and families.

12. Marathon’s Zeko Sharpe delivers remarks on scholarship.

13. Key West’s Jason Flynn shares his journey and triumph over self-destructive behaviors to reach graduation with renewed hope for the future.

14. Key West’s Justin Tran plays to the crowd on his way to the stage.

WELCOMING NEW PATIENTS

Dr. Christopher Forsee, DMD is seamlessly taking the reins from the iconic “Barefoot Dentist,” Dr. Troxel, where the laid-back vibe extends even to the choice of footwear.

Dr. Forsee delivers personalized comprehensive dental care tailored to your needs. Whether it's routine maintenance or advanced procedures, trust Dr. Forsee to rejuvenate your smile with meticulous precision and compassionate care.

Manuel Mendive

A small flock of black-bellied whistling-ducks seen this week at the Marathon Airport. MARK HEDDEN/Keys Weekly

... is a photographer, writer, and semi-professional birdwatcher. He has lived in Key West for more than 25 years and may no longer be employable in the real world. He is also executive director of the Florida Keys Audubon Society.

It might have been smart to bring a raincoat. I realized this as Ellen Westbrook got into the car with a raincoat over her arm, because Ellen is one of those people who actually thinks about things ahead of time. It had been raining on and off all morning, mostly on, and the sky was still a battleship gray. But I’d looked on the radar and the tail end of the storm was almost to Key West, and I was impatient to get up the road.

My wife had gone to Marathon earlier in the morning for a meeting and had texted me that it was near whiteout conditions crossing the Seven Mile Bridge, that at times she could hardly see anything in front of her. She felt that if she was driving her old Miata, instead of our venerable CR-V, she might not have gotten there.

Summer storms never last that long in the Keys, and I’d already waited an hour or so for the thunder to stop, as the dog is not a fan and until it abated she declined to leave my side. I put the car into gear, because this minor period of dramatic inclemency was over. I believed this even as the sounds of persistent precipitation started thumping louder on the car roof.

The drive north actually wasn’t that bad. It would rain intensely for a while, then suddenly the windshield wipers would be squeaking across dry glass when it let up. Then there would be more rain.

Our destination was Grassy Key, where a neotropic cormorant — a slightly different species from our near-ubiquitous double-crested cormorants, about three-quarters the size of a double-crested, with a white, sideways V that bracketed the gape of its mouth – had been reported. It had been hanging out in the salt ponds for nearly a month. It was pretty much a gimme for anyone who made the effort to look for it.

As we passed the old KMart in Marathon, the parking lot was so flooded it looked as if the blue whale in the Wyland mural might take the opportunity to jump down and swim through the water for a while. At the airport, the grass next to the runway was also flooded, a series of big square ponds. I made a joke about how, if we stopped there on the way back, it would probably be full of ducks. (Marathon received over seven inches of rain from that storm.)

When we made it to Grassy Key, I pulled out my phone and looked at the radar. The west end of the storm kept replenishing itself, elongating the system and continuing to drag over Key West. It wasn’t going to stop in the Middle Keys any time soon.

We spent a couple hours scouring the salt ponds, walking around when the rain paused, hiding in the car to keep the camera dry when it

RAINY DAYS AND MONDAYS SOMETIMES GET ME DUCKS

didn’t. And there were a good number of birds – egrets, spoonbills, stilts, terns. There was even an out-of-season purple martin way high up in the clouds, and an out-of-season barn swallow way down low near the mangroves. But we couldn’t find the neotropic cormorant.

We went to lunch at The Wreck, sat outside because it was 75 degrees out and, after the wrecking ball of heat that came in last week, who knew when it wouldn’t suck to eat outside again? Then we went back to the ponds and continued not seeing the neotropic cormorant.

On the way home, we pulled onto the access road next to the airport and drove slowly through the deep puddles that had formed, trying to limit the truck’s wake. We stopped near the windsock. Through the front window we could see the pond was filled with birds, though the overwhelming majority of them were laughing gulls. Nearby, on what counted as the uplands in that situation, sat about a dozen-and-a-half ducks.

They weren’t usual-suspect ducks, though. They were black-bellied whistling-ducks. We climbed up into the back of the truck to get a better view over the barbed wire.

Black-bellied whistling-ducks are native to Central and South America. They were first seen in Texas in the early 1900s, but have since increased in numbers steadily.

They weren’t thought to breed in Florida until the late 1960s. The population is believed to have come from a combination of accidental migrants from Texas and escaped captive birds. They are very adaptable.

They have long legs and long necks, which gives them a more upright stature than most ducks. Males and females are basically indistinguishable. Besides the black bellies, they have brown backs, gray faces, and bright orange bills.

While sporadically common on the mainland – I tend to see them most often at water treatment facilities like Wakodahatchee and Green Cay Wetlands – they are pretty rare in the lower Everglades and the Keys. I’d never seen them in the Keys before, and when I

checked eBird, there were only two or three other sightings here over the years.

Ellen said she’d seen them once, about a decade ago, when she was volunteering for the Key West Wildlife Center and someone had called in, worried about the fact that there were a bunch of ducks just standing around. Which is what ducks do when they are not flying or feeding.

As a species, they have some fun quirks. For instance, they primarily feed at night, with about 90% of their diet being vegetation and about 10% coming from snails and insects. They are thought to be lifelong monogamists, unless something happens to one of the mates. They used to be called black-bellied tree-ducks, because they nest in trees, but the name was changed for taxonomic reasons, as well as the fact that they don’t quack so much as whistle.

Despite their monogamist tendencies, they also practice brood parasitism on their own species, sometimes practicing something called “nest dumping,” where multiple females lay their eggs in another black-bellied whistlingduck’s nest. Ornithologists once found 101 eggs in a single nesting cavity, though only 38 of them hatched due to the fact that the parents, who share equal brooding responsibilities, could only sit on so many eggs.

Their chicks have a plumage pattern that seems to be equal parts zebra and bumblebee. When they travel as a family, they will move in a line, with one parent leading and one following.

How these ducks arrived in Marathon, I’m not sure. They are very rare in Cuba, where many of our accidental birds come from, and the rest of the West Indies. If there had been a big storm that came across the Gulf, I might have suspected them coming from Mexico, but looking at the weather radar later, the storm had pretty much materialized and blown up in scale just west of Key West. Which also makes it unlikely they were weather-driven down from the mainland.

Maybe they were just on a walkabout, compelled to go exploring in bad weather — just like Ellen and me.

MARK HEDDEN

COACH CASCIO HAS A LOT OF A BALLS IN THE AIR

Basilica School’s athletic director does more than meets the eye

MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

Any parent of a school-age athlete, regardless of skill level, commitment or college scholarship prospects, knows the sort of chaos that must be coordinated when it comes to practice schedules, game locations and transportation, along with the need for clean uniforms, water bottles and equipment all to make it to school with their young athletes.

Now imagine managing all that for 80-plus kids every day, every season, for the whole school year plus part of the summer and holiday breaks.

That’s the job of an athletic director.

But at the Basilica School on Truman Avenue, which welcomes students in kindergarten through 12th grade, Clark Cascio, known as Coach Cascio to the students, does even more.

As anyone who has attended or worked at a Catholic school knows, everyone does more than their job description states.

In addition to being the school’s full-time athletic director, Cascio coaches high school and middle school volleyball, as well as cross country, soccer and basketball.

“Our JV volleyball team went undefeated last year, never lost a single set and beat Key West High School’s JV team,” he said proudly from his office in the school’s gymnasium.

Soccer is a relatively new undertaking for the school, where Cascio completed a feasibility study to determine whether the sport

would work for the student population, which it has.

“One of the biggest challenges for schools in the Keys is finding other teams to come down and play us, and to schedule our away games on the mainland with as little disruption to class time as possible,” he said.

Cascio travels with the teams to every away game in Homestead and Miami, often scheduling games Friday and Saturday mornings to make each trip to the mainland worth it, he said.

“I really, really enjoy what I do,” said Cascio, who is finishing up his second year as the school’s fulltime athletic director.

Oh, and did we mention he also teaches geography and physical education?

Cascio was a student at a Catholic high school in Tallahassee, where Basilica School principal Robert Wright worked before Key West.

“I ran into him in Tallahassee when I was still in college at Florida State, and he asked me what my summer plans were,” Cascio recalled.

He ended up spending that summer in Key West, where he ran the Basilica School’s summer camps. Once he completed his master’s degree in a sports recruiting field, he did an internship in the FSU football recruiting office.

“But that was during COVID, when no one was hiring,” he said. “When the job as athletic director opened up here at the Basilica School, I was all for it. I love living here. I just bought my first little boat. And I love what we’re doing here at the Basilica School. I feel that what we offer here is something special, and the kids know it as well. I’m beyond proud of our students and our offerings and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

SPECIAL OPS DIVER CONTEST RETURNS TO KEY WEST

Elite military teams compete in grueling water challenges

MANDY MILES

Which elite military team has the best combat divers in the country?

We can find out June 10-12, when the Combat Diver Competition returns to Key West and to the U.S. Army’s Special Warfare Center and School on Fleming Key.

Special Forces Green Berets. Army Rangers. Navy SEALs. Air Force Special Operations. Marine Special Operations. All will compete in pairs, and civilians are invited to watch the grueling challenges on the military base on Tuesday, June 11.

“We want to increase the level of civilian attendance and accessibility this year, so starting at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, June 11, we’ll have shuttles running from Key West High School to the base, taking civilians with a valid driver’s license who are not foreign nationals to the contest,” said Major Brandon Schwartz, who wraps up his tour as Commander of Special Forces Underwater Operations this week.

“The first event is the opening ceremony at 8:30 a.m., then we’ll have the shuttles running continuously until lunchtime, and then for people who want to stay all day,

they’ll get a shuttle back to the high school around 4 p.m.”

Schwartz added that the contest events will be visible from the shoreline at the military base, or will take place at the pool on base.

The competitors are the U.S. military’s elite (badass) special operations units — the ones movies are made about — whose training, qualifications and missions make us glad they’re on our side.

They all spent part of their excruciating maritime training in and around Key West, at the U.S. Army’s Special Warfare Center and School on Fleming Key.

But which branch is the best? Are Navy SEALS better combat divers than the Army’s Special Forces Green Berets? Are Marine Special Operations soldiers better than the Army Rangers?

The competition determines the best two-person “dive buddy” team while promoting the Army Special Operations Forces core attributes of integrity, courage, perseverance, personal responsibility, professionalism, adaptability, team player and capability, according to a military press release.

“The competition tests academic rigor, physical toughness, mental agility and adaptability while planning for and executing high-risk waterborne operations,” said Schwartz. “Competitors from Special Forces Green Berets, Army Rangers, Navy SEALs, Air Force Special Operations, and Marine Special Operations will compete in 10 events, putting their advancedskill capabilities to the test.”

mandy@keysweekly.com

Coach Clark Cascio is surrounded by a third-grade physical education class at the Basilica School. MANDY MILES/Keys Weekly

Military special operations competitors enter the water for a grueling underwater challenge on day three of the Special Operations Command Best Combat Diver Competition in Key West last year. 3rd POB, 1st SFC/Contributed

Our bright and and airy space is a treasure trove of carefully curated clothing & accessories that embrace the island lifestyle.

Offering fabulous brands such as Farm Rio, Trina Turk, Oliphant and more, stop by and check out our island inspired collections.

Congratulations to All 64 New 2024 Graduates in Monroe County!

Carlos Aliz Rodriguez Daniel Clark

Helena Allen Thelma Whyms

Natalie Arguello Yanaiz Morales

Madison Atoche-Vertiz Ednesha Johnson

Dostmukhammad Bakhtiyorov Alyson Crean

Regina Borgelin Salome McIntosh

Tcheniya Brevil Cagle Ann Petit

Mailen Cabrera Kathryn Norris

Stanley Clermont Daniel Clark

Gissel Coca Campos Anita Garcia

Anthony Fernandez-Virgen Dev Craig

Jason Flynn Michael deBettencourt

Christopher Hernandez-Nunez Sam Steele

Dazmine Jenkins Larry Smith

Kathie Jourdain Carla Tynes

Anthony Korzen John Griffin Yoel Lamadrid Morales Esneider Gomez

Ashanti Lamartiniere Sue Puskedra

Eliany Leal Espinosa Lynne Casamayor

Youma Midy Regan Butler

Brianna Nelson Tanya Litz

Yanais Nodal Kristen Winters

Robendy Noel Victor Odoh

Rood Thania Pierre Shirley Brown

Shakenna Raymond Mary Anne Napier

Ralph Riche Raymond Ruzek

David Santana Steve Miller

Kenaria Sargent Colette Anderson

Justin Tran Michael deBettencourt

Magdalena Vazquez Marquez Caren Winnie Dement

Amaliz Brenes Genesis Villatoro

Alexandre Cruz Mike Bourcier

Dakota DeAnthony Mary Ann Lynch

Neek Perez Urra Mike Puto

Lilliam Rodriguez Nunez Joanne Zimmerman

Zeko Sharpe, Jr. Arthur Jansik

Natalie Barajas Autumn Hager

Makani Burga William Koeblitz

Lagina Caldwell Alicia Severino

Emely Esparza Helen Williams

Clerf Alexandre Monroe Holloway III

Giselle Barreto Lynne Casamayor

Derek Criado Christopher Hinkle

Karl Knudsen Steve Miller

Pedro Morales Daniel Ballon

Dee-Anna Rene Joan Leggett

Marquisha Abraham Patricia Childress

Yasiel Rodriguez Jeffrey Smith

Francina Edwards

Savanna Edwards

Linda Egan

Darlene Eslick

Jeanette Farinas Lisa Feliciano Alexander Fierro

Marianne Finizio

Patricia Forbes

Novoa

John Griffin Ashley Grinion Samantha Grizzle Scott Gruenauer

Guerra

Guinovart

Haack

Hager

Hager

Hefner

Hemeyer

D'Ascanio

Del Gaizo

Allen Dennis

Frank Derfler

Rosa Diaz

Jessica Doll

David Dornseif

Deanna Duell

Jennifer Dutton

Patricia Eables

Crystal Gutierrez-Sandoval Peg Laron

Jessie Hopley Scott Naz

Ethan Marguet Frederick Matthews

Alejandra Rodriguez Luana Peixoto

Robert Rodriguez Peter Amendola

JT Thompson & Design Group Key West

KEY WEST OFFICIALS HONOR FIRST RESPONDERS

Commissioners recognize May 19-25 as

National EMS Week

1405 Duval Street, Key West | 305 295 6550 southernmostbeachresort com | #somolife

PROMOTING CONCH PRIDE SINCE

Mayor Teri Johnston and the Key West City Commission, during their May meeting, proclaimed the week of May 19-25 as National Emergency Medical Services Week.

The official theme for the week is “EMS Week 50th anniversary — honoring our past, forging our future.”

“Emergency medical services provide vital lifesaving care to those in need 24 hours a day, seven days a week, dramatically improving the survival and recovery rate of those who experience sudden illness or injury,” states the official city proclamation.

The designation is a way of thanking the local first responders who ensure that the community has the best and fastest medical emergency response possible every day.

“The members of EMS teams, whether career or volunteer, engage in thousands of hours of specialized training and continuing education to enhance their lifesaving skills,” the proclamation states. “It is appropriate to recognize the value and the accomplishments of emergency medical services providers by designating Emergency Medical Services Week.”

EMS Division Chief Keith Her

nandez accepted the proclamation, paying tribute to the city for establishing its own EMS Division rather than contracting with a private provider.

“Nine years, eight days, and 50,000 calls later,” he said, “we thank the city for bringing our EMS division to life.”

He accepted a plaque for the division, and then presented one from the EMS team to the city in gratitude for that 2015 decision.

— Contributed

Family owned and operated by Damien, Cathy, Tiffany & Nikki.

The Key West City Commission honors the city’s Fire and Rescue’s EMS Division to mark EMS Week at the May meeting. ALYSON CREAN/City of Key West

Key West Mayor Teri Johnston accepts a plaque from the city’s EMS division thanking officials for their support.

-

MANDY MILES

drops stuff, breaks things and falls down more than any adult should. She’s married to a saintly — and handy — fisherman, and has been stringing words together in Key West since 1998.

MILES TO GO FAREWELL, MY DOWNSTAIRS FRIEND

He was known by a few different names. It was Eddie to many. It was the more formal Edward Zagorda on the plaque that used to introduce him as the seafood department manager at Publix. And to those who knew him way back when he was a bartender and sometime drag performer at the old Copa nightclub, he was “Edwina,” which was often shortened to “Weenie.”

That’s how I knew him. Not precisely from the Copa, but we were introduced by one of his longtime friends from the club when Weenie moved into the apartment below mine at 419 Simonton St., directly across the street from Dean Lopez Funeral Home and catty-corner from Fausto’s on Fleming Street.

I lived there for 10 years, and Weenie lived below me for eight of them. It was a ramshackle old house containing four one-bedroom apartments. The outdoor stairs were rickety, my apartment door opened into my bedroom, the freezer door was only attached by the magnetic stripping around it and the tilted oven on the uneven kitchen floor produced lopsided birthday cakes. One set of French doors that opened onto my second-floor balcony had windows that looked straight into my bathroom, and when workmen came to repair my bathroom floor, they said my heavy-as-hell clawfoot bathtub had been about three days away from falling through the floor and

landing in Weenie’s kitchen — probably with a naked me in it.

But oh, what a time it was on Simonton Street in those days.

I ended up using Weenie’s shower every morning for a week while my bathroom was repaired. He had already left for work at Publix on his scooter by the time I was getting ready, so I had a key to his house and would trek up and down the outside steps in my bathrobe (or a towel).

I was a single gal in my 20s and 30s, coming and going at all hours, walking up the outdoor steps to my apartment and past Weenie’s kitchen window, where he stood around 4 a.m. each morning making his coffee.

My goal was to get home before he awoke, lest I hear his sing-song voice call through his window, “Girl, it’s too early for that dress you’ve got on.” (Clearly, I didn’t always make it home before Weenie awoke.)

But he was the first to know when Stan and I got engaged, as I was on my balcony, yelling down to him on his front porch, “I’m engaged.”

To which he promptly called out, “Girl, come down here and show me that ring.”

He would hold court every evening on his porch, waving at all who passed and pouring wine for those who stopped to say hello.

Sadly, Key West and the world lost Eddie “Weenie” Zagorda earlier this week. I’ll miss him terribly, but will always treasure our years on Simonton Street. Those were the days, and his presence was a huge part of what made them so great.

REEL RECS

Staff from your Monroe County Public Library recommend some of their favorites from the collection.

What: “Fargo” (1996)

Why: The Coen brothers have made a lot of excellent movies and “The Big Lebowski” is the cult classic everyone loves to quote; but for my money, “Fargo” is their best work. It’s the story of sad sack Jerry Lundegard (William H. Macy) and his idiot plan to have his own wife kidnapped to raise ransom money from his wealthy father-in-law. Everything goes wrong for him, especially when cop Marge Gunderson (the magnificent Frances McDormand, who won an Oscar for her role) is on the case. The writing is brilliant — there’s a line from Fargo that applies to almost any situation in life. And even if the plot seems initially cartoonish, you wind up invested in these characters and caring about who will survive this mess — and how. Almost 30 years after it first blew me away in a theater, I’m still thinking about this movie. The TV anthology series it inspired is also pretty good — but it wouldn’t exist without the original text.

Where: This is available as a DVD from the Monroe County library.

How: You can browse and request DVDs online by logging in to your account at keyslibraries.org. To view our collection of streaming movies and TV, go to kanopy.com/ keyslibraries and set up an account with your library card. If you don’t have a card, you can visit your local branch or register online to get one. Questions? info@keyslibraries.org.

Recommended by: Nancy Klingener, community affairs manager

Staff from your Monroe County Public Library recommend some of their favorites from the collection.

What: “Kingdom of the Wicked” by Kerry Maniscalco

Why: With many readers on the Sarah J. Maas kick, you may need to practice patience to get your eyes (or ears) on one of her books. Instead of twiddling your thumbs waiting for your turn, I recommend reading “Kingdom of the Wicked.” Kerry Maniscalco takes readers to Palermo, Italy, and introduces families of witches in hiding who have a tangled history of dealing with the princes of Hell. Emilia is reeling from the loss of her twin sister and will go through any means to seek justice, even dealing directly with the House of Wrath. This is the first book in a trilogy, and falls at the lower end of the “spicy” level, for those looking to get into the romance. Rumor has it, the following two books turn up the heat.

Where: This is available as a print book and e-book from the Monroe County Public Library.

How: You can request books online and get e-books and eaudiobooks by logging in to your account at keyslibraries.org. If you don’t have a card, you can visit your local branch or register online to get one. Questions? info@keyslibraries.org

Recommended by: Emily Kovacs, library associate, Key West library

See previous recommendations at keyslibraries.org/reel-recs and keyslibraries.org/shelf-help.

Edward ‘Weenie’ Zagorda, center, with friends Jean Thornton, left and yours truly during a birthday celebration at La Trattoria by his favorite window seat. CONTRIBUTED

MAY EXHIBITIONS

CALL

FOR

FLORIDA ROOM

Anthony Mancuso

Unnatural color conveys the psychological experience of the Sunshine State.

sponsored by Team Kaufelt

OLD TOWN REVIVAL

Andy Thurber + Sean P. Dwyer

Watercolors capture the tropical colors and diversity of the Key West community.

sponsored by 5 Brothers

Chelsi Smith

Gilded silkscreens evoking the complexity and universality of human emotion.

sponsored by Craig Reynolds Landscape Architects

Renee Lai

Large paintings show the sensation of where the body meets the world around it.

sponsored by Fury Water Adventures

ARTISTS + TEACHERS!

NOW ACCEPTING PROPOSALS FOR EXHIBITIONS, WORKSHOPS AND PERFORMANCES FOR 24/25!

Got an idea for an exhibit? Working on a one-woman show? Have a special skill you’d like to share?

The Studios presents just under 30 exhibitions each year, plus the Helmerich Theater and Hugh’s View rooftop terrace offer spaces for intimate concerts and theater productions. The Studios also offers over 70 workshops in a range of media and experience level per season.

GALLERY & BOX OFFICE HOURS: TUE-SUN, 10AM-4PM

MIND ALTERING LUBRICANTS FOR SOCIAL INTERCOURSE

CHRIS McNULTY

is an astrologer, wanderer, bartender and advocate for queer justice. He is a loquacious Gemini with a cozy Cancer rising. Find him at hearthandheraldastrology.com

On May 20, the sun moved out of the Taurus garden and into the Gemini conversation. When the sun is in Gemini, we become curious. What’s this? Why is that? Can someone explain this to me? We become hungry for knowledge and ideas, and we seek out others to engage in conversation. It is a time to learn, a time to socialize and a time to be mental gymnasts. On Thursday, May 23, the moon is full in the sign of Sagittarius, directly opposite the sun in Gemini. While we are beginning a season of mental activity and social dynamism, we can feel a strong need for deep truth and a desire for a world beyond our immediate surroundings. Under this full moon, we heed the call to adventure to test the ideas that we hold near and dear. Also today, Venus conjoins Jupiter at the very last degree of Taurus. It is a time of powerful grace when gifts are bestowed and love looms large. There is a touch of anxiety here, though, as this aspect also represents the culmination of a great love project and the beginning of something new and unknown. Avoid acting too brashly, rather dance in the appreciation for your many gifts.

Here are your horoscopes for the Sagittarius full moon and the Venus-Jupiter conjunction. Read for your rising and sun signs.

GEMINI

May 21 - June 21

A very happy birthday season to all of our Gems. It may feel as though you have been on a pseudo-silent retreat this past year, feeling and behaving internal and reflective. Whether that time away felt nourishing or difficult or both, you can now relish in the joy of what you’ve accomplished. Welcome back. This full moon offers a high point in an important relationship in your life.

CANCER

June 22 - July 22

Brainstorming is the fun part; putting the ideas into action takes work and dedication. This full moon is offering you the chutzpah to get the things done. The time to stop thinking and planning is now, so get messy and welcome any mistakes. It’s the only way forward. This sky encourages you to take a big dose of love and appreciation for your friends. Are you leaving or are they leaving?

LEO

July 23 - Aug. 22

As you start to spend more time socializing and seeking out friends, the full moon is pulling you toward more personal creative projects. How can you find your balance? I recommend getting your project done now so you can be with loved ones without feeling pulled away. It appears a big win or celebration is taking place at work. Revel in it.

VIRGO

Aug. 23 - Sept. 22

Right now feels like the last day of a grand vacation in a country you’ve never visited. You’re soaking in the experience and preparing to pack up and head home, changed but ready to return. Breathe it in, then start getting your things together. Take the time to appreciate your home and family under this full moon because your work is about to take a lot of your time.

LIBRA

Sept. 23 - Oct. 23

Are you finally paying off a major debt or receiving a windfall of moolah, like an inheritance? A joyous moment is coming at you from an area of collective resources, and it is time to celebrate. Perhaps there is some tension here, though. How will you use this bonus in the best way? Take time to plan. Keep your awareness on a global level, but let your intimate feelings stay local.

SCORPIO

Oct. 24 - Nov. 21

Something is coming to a head in an important relationship, but there is a buoyant love at this crest. Walk through this shift with gratitude and you will soak in all the nutrients available to you. With your eyes on the needs of those around you, be sure to tend to your own physical and emotional needs. You can’t help others without first helping yourself. Let your body tell you what it needs.

SAGITTARIUS

Nov. 22 - Dec. 21

You seem to have gotten into a whole new routine, and it is time to relish in your hard work and appreciate how far you’ve come. Let the goodness come to you because you’ve been investing in this return. Take the time to care for yourself for a bit because there is going to be a lot of focus on your relationship in the coming month. This full moon is a return to your center.

CAPRICORN

Dec. 22 - Jan. 19

Are you about to share your magnum opus with the world? Is your child having a major milestone, or did you find a new activity that brings you bliss? Something really good is happening in your house of creative stewardship. See if you can slow down to enjoy it. In fact, take time to yourself under this full moon. You’ve been working hard.

AQUARIUS

Jan. 20 - Feb. 18

There is a great joy taking place with your home and family. Perhaps you’re completing that painting project or you have a sister coming to visit. Revel in the comforts of your most intimate people and places right now. Under this full moon, be sure to spend time with your friends and take a moment to appreciate your chosen family. This will help you find your creative spark.

PISCES

Feb. 19 - March 20

This is a fantastic time to see the artistry and abundance that is around you all the time, yet usually fails to make it into your awareness. Something big and beautiful is coming your way, and it is not traveling far. It is right in your immediate vicinity — perhaps some kind words from a neighbor or a siblings’ night out. Under this full moon, that thing at work will be coming to fruition.

ARIES

March 21 - April 19

You can celebrate now because you are finally seeing the fruits of your financial planning, or you are making a big purchase that brings you joy, or you have some other big, beautiful financial event going on. There might be a little nervousness here, but trust that it will pass. Under this full moon, break away from your usual haunts and do something out of the ordinary.

TAURUS

April 20 - May 20

The greatest love of all is happening to you, and it is an abundance of love for yourself. Listen to Whitney’s song on repeat the next few days and get all the warm fuzzies. One thing you don’t want to do is wait for the other shoe to drop because this love is here to stay. This full moon is a reminder that you have investments in other people that need to be attended to.

CELEBRATING IN BUSINESS

HELP KEEP KEY WEST CLEAN

JOIN A 1- HOUR CLEANUP FRIDAY MORNINGS

The May 17 Plogging event was held at the corner of Flagler Avenue and Bertha Street with host Brady’s Pub. In one hour, 24 volunteers braved the morning humidity to collect 146 pounds of trash, 18 pounds of recycling and 2 gallons of cigarette butts. The May 24 cleanup has been canceled. We will resume May 31 at Truman Waterfront, hosted by the Key West Harry S. Truman Foundation. All volunteers will be entered in a drawing for a ride in the presidential limo that is housed at the Truman Little White House. CONTRIBUTED

One hour a week makes a huge difference, and volunteers are welcome every Friday and some Saturday mornings, from 8 to 9 a.m., when the Key West Ploggers clean up a designated area of the island.

Gloves, pickers, buckets, vests, hand sanitizer and a parking pass are provided to all volunteers.

A troubling number of cigarette butts and plastic bags have been included in recent hauls. Please remember your reusable bags when shopping so we can keep the plastic off the streets, parking lots and, most importantly, out of the water. And dispose of cigarette butts in any receptacle rather than the street or sidewalk, as from there, they easily end up in the ocean.

The city of Key West and its residents ask everyone to do their part to help keep Key West beautiful. With simple steps like making sure you bag your trash before putting it in your Waste Management trash cans or Dumpsters, and making sure the lids on Dumpsters are closed, will keep a lot of trash from blowing into the streets. Call Waste Management at 305-296-8297 for any furniture items left on the city right of way.

Please pick up around your home or apartment complex. Every piece of trash picked up is one less that may end up in the ocean that surrounds and sustains our island community. It is not just the large items you can see easily when you are walking, but the smaller items such as bottle caps and cigarette butts that are collected by the volunteers that make the biggest difference. It takes committed community involvement to keep Key West beautiful and we are making progress with every cleanup event and every spot that’s adopted. Call Dorian Patton at 305-809-3782 to find out how your business, nonprofit or club can help.

— Contributed

Join a Friday morning cleanup each week from 8 to 9 a.m.

May 24: CANCELED May 31: Truman Waterfront. Meet in the large parking lot closest to the Fitness Trail on the right. Hosted by the Key West Harry S. Truman Foundation

Protect i ng Agai nst A I-Powered Cyberscams

By Firs t Horizon Bank

At 2 a m , you receive an u rgent call f rom you r g randson He tells you he’s been ar rested and needs bail money – and he pleads with you not to tell his parents Only the call is not f rom you r g randson. It’s not even f rom a person. It’s a “deep-

cyber thieves are using to com mit f raud by cloning the voice of someone you t r ust

T his t y pe of at t ack has become so common the Federal Trade Com mission sent out a war ning about it Cybersecu r it y exper ts say companies need to be on aler t for similar techniques, such as an employee receiving a call f rom the CEO telling him to wire $500,000 to a vendor im mediately

“T he pace of the lifecycle of these th reats has increased enor mously,” says Steven

for Memphis-headquar tered First Hor izon Ban k. “In the past, you would hear about a th reat. Several months later, you might hea r t he t h reat’s been exploited , a nd several months af ter that, companies would st ar t doing something about the th reat But now the th reats are being realized im mediately, and they need to be add ressed im mediately.”

W hen cyber exper ts t al k about the new th reat landscape, they of ten br ing up generative A I. “A I has the same promise for bad actors to improve their productivity a s it ha s for compa n ies,” Jones says. “Because these A I models can br ing in larger amou nts of dat a, they can provide more context, making the emails and other com mu nications bad actors send seem more li ke the person they are t r ying to impersonate ”

Secur it y Impl icat ions of Generat ive A I T he Cloud Secu r it y Alliance (CSA), an indust r y t rade g roup, recently produced its

of this popular tech nolog y T he general public sees generative A I as a way to d raf t emails, answer questions and t ranslate docu ments. In the hands of bad actors, the tool can w reak havoc. It can quick ly access a net work to deter mine the g reatest v ul nerabilities to at t ack Indeed, the white paper recounted an exercise where generative A I was able to identif y a weak ness in a

net work by simply analyzing 100 lines of the base code, allowing the sof t ware to u nder st a nd how to by pa ss cer t ai n secu r it y measu res

Gener at ive A I ca n also prov ide “ foot hold a ssist a nce,” let t i ng ba d actor s est ablish a n i n it ial presence on a net work. It ca n per for m recon naissa nce, gat her i ng per sonal i n for mat ion about execut ives or employees to i mper sonate t hem more ef fe c t ively, a s wel l a s d e t a i l s a b o u t i nt e r n al p r o c e s s e s a nd t e ch nolog y

T his can enable bad actors to do things li ke produce legitimate-look ing emails, devoid of spelling and g ram mar mist akes,

generative A I can be asked to create an email telling employees that passwords will be reset this week, and they should expect a lin k to do so

“T his problem is managed at a busi ness level, not a tech nolog y level.”

Steven Jones

First Horizon Bank

“A I can execute faster than hu man beings can think,” says Illena Armstrong, President of CSA “However, we bring our creativit y, cr itical thin k ing, problem-solving sk ills, emotional intelligence and abilit y to make more nuanced calls to add ress a sit uation or problem that A I can not.”

Business leaders, not tech nolog y, bear the responsibilit y of defending organizations f rom cyberat t acks Yet according to WSJ Intelligence’s recent su r vey of mid market decision-makers, en hancing cybersecu r it y ran ks a mere sixth in pr ior it y for 2024

Bui lding a Strong Defense

A st rong cyb e rdefe n se i n t he A I e r a

st a r t s w it h bu si ne s s le a de r s “ T h is problem is ma naged at a bu si ness level , not a te ch nolog y level , ” Jone s s ays. “ T he exe c ut ive m a n age me nt t e a m a nd the board need to understand the problem,

Jones says technology solutions are a critical part of the equation. For example, managed service providers can augment the security capabilities of a small business, providing rou nd -t he

ow n secu r it y inf rast r uct u re.

“Employees and clients need to be aware of these more sophisticated at t acks across all com mu nication chan nels,” he says. Jones says that cybersecu r it y t raining should be targeted, since the th reats the procu rement depar t ment faces could be much different than the th reats the legal department encounters Allowing employees an easy way to repor t suspicious activit y is important and empowering. “Establish a reward-and-recog nition system for people who are following procedures,” Ar mst rong s ays “ Tr a i n i ng nee d s a d i f fe r e nt s pi n g ive n how q u ick ly b ot h goo d a nd ba d a c t or s a r e u si ng A I. We h ave t o fost e r a

cy

icies i n place ”

Jones notes that phishing at t acks – which deceive people into revealing infor mation

a st ar t up received $15 million in seed f u nding to detect deepfakes and other A I-generated content. All this points to a need for g reater awareness of, and a bet ter response to, A I- d r iven cyberscams “Ban ks and pr ivate indust r y have always been on the front lines of this cyberwarfare,” Jones says “However, the landscape is changing, and even small businesses are going to have to safeg uard themselves,

h ap p e n i ng now ”

Talk w ith your First Hor i zon banker to learn more about the secur it y processes we have in place for your protect ion.

RED BIRD CITY

A cardinal nesting and a little known Keys community

FLORIDA

Some people say seeing a cardinal in your yard is a sign the spirit of a loved one or an angel is near. If that is true, we have been absolutely haunted on Sioux Street for more than a decade.

Every year, we have watched cardinal parents rear their fledglings in the yard. Watching mom and dad teach the kids to fly and hunt has been a yearly thrill. However, it looks like this year might be a little different.

The brightly colored males with their striking red plumage are hard to miss. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, there was a community in North Key Largo named for the colorful birds, called Red Bird City. There is not a great deal known about it or where exactly it was located, as only a handful of documents mention the place, and none give more than a North Key Largo location. Some suggest Red Bird City was in the area of Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park.

While those who lived there relied on farming and fishing, it was called Red Bird City because one of the industries that supported the small community was catching and selling cardinals. One of the stories shared about Red Bird City includes an interview with Ridley Curtis Pinder, who grew up there.

Born in 1888 in Cherokee Sound, Bahamas, he moved with his family to Key Largo at the age of 3. According to a newspaper article that appeared in the May 5, 1968, edition of the Miami Herald, “‘Key Largo was full of redbirds, especially in the winter,’ said Pinder, who helped to catch them in traps made by tearing the fibrous stems of coconut leaves apart and weaving the strips together. ‘We also caught quite a large number of non-pareils — painted buntings. They were very popular.’”

The trapped birds were taken to Key West, where they were shipped to Havana and sold as caged songbirds. Because cardinals mate for life, the song the caged birds sang was probably sad.

This nesting season was certainly beginning to look like Red Bird City at the Sioux Street office. I watched two cardinals build a nest in the backyard — a remarkably delicate process considering they have no fingers to weave their tight little nests out of pieces of dead plant material — and a few pieces of white plastic. They built it in the twisting branches of a red flame vine just outside the sliding glass door to the backyard patio. If I went outside and stood on my tiptoes, I could peek inside.

The nest was clearly visible from inside the house, and before long, there were two speckled eggs inside. For 10-14 days, I watched the mama sit on the eggs until they hatched. One day, I noticed the

male in the nest. When I looked outside, two small, broken, speckled eggs were on the ground.

For a day or two, I watched the male swoop in to help feed the chicks. On a Sunday morning, I sipped coffee at the kitchen window and watched the male land in the nest and then fly away. It was the last time I saw either bird in the nest. The following morning when I looked in the nest, it was empty. It could have been a rat, a tokay gecko or a snake that preyed on the nest — maybe it was something else.

Ten days or two weeks later, I discovered a second cardinal nest. It was in the front yard, but again, very close to the house. It had been built (and concealed) inside a shrub in one of the tall white planters bordering the walkup to our house. Unlike the backyard nest, I never saw this one being built and only found it by accident. On a Wednesday, I noticed a flurry of bird feathers on the pea rock near the planter’s base. They clearly belonged to a female cardinal. I imagined the bird had been the victim of either a hawk or this pudgy orange cat that sometimes roams through our yard like it owns the place — which drives Bijou, our indoor cat, bonkers.

On Thursday morning, I saw a male cardinal fly out of the shrub and because of my experience in the backyard, I wondered if there was a nest there, too. I peeked inside the bush, and lo and behold,

there was a nest with three small speckled eggs inside.

I never saw the male inside the nest again. He would land near the nest but never on the shrub where it had been so secretly built. When I walked by the planter Friday morning, I could tell the nest had been disturbed. Two of the eggs had been knocked out of the nest and had fallen into the planter. They were still intact. When I parted some of the leaves and looked inside, the nest was at a 45-degree angle. One egg remained inside. It could have been one of the snakes I see in the yard looking for a snack. A large black racer routinely slithers around the yard and sometimes gets up in the planters. I righted the nest, did my best to tuck it back within the “safe” confines of the shrub, and tucked the two fallen eggs back inside. I saw the male cardinal land nearby once or twice in the following days, but I never saw him get more than a couple of feet from the shrub.

So, it does not look like it will be an active cardinal rearing season in the yard this year. Soon, the nest will be forgotten, the three eggs will rot, the surviving cardinal will find a new mate, and the two failed nests in my yard will become as forgotten as the location of Red Bird City.

Cardinal eggs in an abandoned nest. BRAD BERTELLI/Contributed

Brad is a local historian, author, speaker and Honorary Conch who loves sharing the history of the Florida Keys.

KEYS HISTORY WITH BRAD BERTELLI

Fried Chicken $28 2 Pieces of Fried Chicken | Beer-Battered Fries Cole Slaw | NA Beverage | Dessert

Monday st louis Ribs $34 Cole Slaw | Sweet Potato Fries

Tuesday 2 Asian Tuna Tacos in Wonton Shell $28

Sweet Soy & Wasabi Aioli | Kimchi

Wednesday

Prime Rib Night 12oz $60 | 16oz $70 Mashed Potatoes | Green Beans

Thursday Jumbo Shrimp & Grits: $32

Friday Swordfish Rockefeller: $48 Potato Croquette | Grilled Asparagus Saturday Seafood Strudel with Broccolini: $42

WORLD FAMOUS LOBSTER PIZZA

TAKE ME HOME?

FIND A FRIEND AT THE FLORIDA KEYS SPCA

The Keys Weekly family loves animals as much as our friends at the Florida Keys SPCA do, and we’re honored each week to showcase some “furever” friends that are ready, waiting and available for adoption at the organization’s Key West campus.

From cats and dogs to Guinea

pigs, hamsters, rabbits, reptiles and birds, the perfect addition to your family is waiting for you. The SPCA’s knowledgeable staff will help with advice and care tips while working to ensure a good fit between each pet and its people.

The SPCA’s Golden Paw program also provides special assistance with vet bills and medications for special-needs and older animals that require a little extra TLC.

Check these pages each week for just a few of the animals wait

ing for a home and see them all

fkspca.org.

Maizie is 11 years young and up for any adventure. The second you set foot into Maizie’s domain, she will start a symphony of purrs. She’s simply the sweetest and has waited far too long to find her forever home.

is a

derwater

and an

the

who rules the

keeping the peace with his grumpy

and impressive fin flair.

got gills of steel and the heart of a

Caesar just celebrated his 1-year birthday. He loves basking in the sun; he’s like our own personal sundial.

Gunther

Jack Dempsey fish with a mohawk

attitude. He’s

un-

bouncer

tank,

face

He’s

goldfish.

Meet Shadow, an 11-month-old Cane Korso breed. This larger-than-life pup may look scary, but don’t let that fool you; he’s actually sweeter than all of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory.

Meet Ninja, the sneaky 5-year-old who loves to lurk and observe her domain from high surfaces. Ninja is the top hideand-seek champ — good luck finding her. But she’s always got eyes on you.

-

at

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MONDAY - WEDNESDAY 11- 4

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Voted

Cawley is wearing the Cami dress by our retail line Likely NYC

MAGIC MONEY

I.CARE receives ‘life-changing’ $650K donation from former NFL team co-owner

TIFFANY DUONG

tiffany@keysweekly.com

At the end of March, Mike Goldberg, co-founder of I.CARE and owner of Key Dives, got a call “out of the blue” from someone who’d seen him on CNN’s Hero of the Year Finale Show at the end of 2023. While I.CARE didn’t win the big prize, the platform did get them in front of some very important eyes.

“(The caller) is a marine science teacher in Jacksonville, Florida, and his wife represents a woman who oversees a foundation. His wife saw me on CNN, and the foundation wanted to get behind us,” he said.

The mystery caller asked Goldberg to come up with three projects he wants funded. “I didn’t think it was a real call; I thought it was a prank call,” Goldberg said.

Goldberg and Kylie Smith, his I.CARE co-founder, responded with tiers of funding that “shoot a little over” the $100,000 ballpark figure they were given to brainstorm around. Smith added, “We were dreaming big and dreaming little about ways we can make an impact in this community. So, we requested funding for three discrete projects, thinking we could start at least two of them with $100,000.”

The foundation wanted to ensure that funded projects would have longevity beyond the initial phase. Smith shared game plans, the history of the projects and the reasoning behind each. Goldberg assured them, “We’re ready. We know exactly what to do, we just need the money to do it.”

“She’s in,” they were told. Their benefactress turned out to be philanthropist Delores Barr Weaver, former co-owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Along with her husband J. Wayne, Weaver has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in Florida and its communities since they moved to the Sunshine State in 1993, benefiting everything from the arts and schools to the homeless and zoos. Now, through the Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Fund at the Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, Weaver will donate $650,000 to I.CARE over

three years to fund all three I.CARE projects for double the amount of time requested.

Smith said, “I was in tears. We got off the phone and, of course, Mike’s brain was going, ‘We gotta do this, and we gotta do this, and this,’ and I said, ‘Stop. Stop. Take 30 seconds and soak this in, because I can’t stop crying.’”

The donation will support two years of sponge restoration research and transplanting. Bobbi Renfro, known as “Sponge Bobbi” for her sponge restoration work, will lead ground-breaking research for ecosystem-wide restoration of sponges. Funding will locate healthy sponge populations in the Keys, create in-situ nurseries for sponges and transplant healthy sponge species onto the reef in degraded areas. This work has been field-tested for the last two years with I.CARE and Mote Marine Laboratory; now, Renfro will be the first in the world to attempt large-scale sponge restoration on the reef.

Funds will also go toward a year’s worth of coral propagation through corals of opportunity. Corals of opportunity are corals that have broken off the reef naturally, through wave action, storms, etc. I.CARE will collect these and use them as broodstock to create more corals for restoration. This will boost biodiversity, by bringing corals to different areas of the Keys, and resilience, because these corals are proven survivors. “With everything our reefs are facing right now, these corals are able to survive. So, bringing these in and distributing them into new places, it brings the science to a whole new level,” Smith said. Field-testing this during the 2023 summer heat wave by transplanting corals of opportunity, Goldberg cited a 70% survivorship for these “corals that are tough mothers.”

Dollars donated by Weaver will building a “blue economy” curriculum and outreach program for local

1. Delores Barr Weaver is a philanthropist and the former co-owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars. THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR NORTHEAST FLORIDA/Contributed. 2. Kylie Smith and Mike Goldberg co-founded I.CARE in Islamorada to restore local reefs. TIFFANY DUONG/Keys Weekly. 3. I.CARE’s Kylie Smith and Riley Garvey take notes on restoration efforts. 4. Bobbi Renfro and Kylie Smith restore sponges and corals, respectively, to Islamorada reefs. 5. Interns demonstrate proper coral restoration techniques before the outplanting dive. 6. Staghorn corals used to dominate the Keys reefs. Now, they’re critically endangered.

schools. I.CARE wants to train, certify and educate school kids. “Let’s get them real hands-on, underwater, doing the work. We believe that’s the best way to ignite someone to become a marine scientist,” Goldberg said. After working with local students in Marathon, Smith realized many don’t know how to dive and don’t have opportunities to learn how. This project fills that void, Smith said. “To me, that was a no-brainer project to include.”

“I was impressed by the mission of I.CARE and inspired by their efforts to find more effective ways to restore coral reefs,” Weaver told the Weekly. “Their efforts to get recreational divers and high school and college students involved and committed as volunteers are commendable and important to the future of our reef ecosystem.”

Derek Epperly, Keys Atlantic Real Estate Broker and Biote user says, “After turning 50 I was struggling with diminished energy levels. I tried all sorts of vitamins and energy supplements but it was Dr. Petersen & Biote that got me back in the game with the energy of my 25 year old self.

SIGN OF THE SEASON

Marathon kicks off spring football slate | P.10

Marathon’s Carlos Lezcano launches a pass during Marathon’s spring football matchup on May 17. BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly

THE KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP PODCAST

SPRING FOOTBALL SEASON IN THE KEYS

In this week’s Keys Weekly Sports Wrap Podcast, you can catch all the latest news and scores from local prep sports games and events. Sean and Tracy will break it down and include some behindthe-scenes perspective you won’t hear anywhere else. This week, you can hear an in-depth account of Marathon and Coral Shores’ spring football games as well as any last-minute updates to the prep sports calendar.

Listen to the Sports Wrap podcast

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

THIS WEEK

Suharevskis

NIKS-DAVIS

Senior, Key West Track & Field

Marathon’s Fabbianho Louis Jeune (2) shoves off a pair of Pinecrest defenders during the Dolphins’ spring football matchup on May 17. See page 10. BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly

He leads by example. Whether it’s in the weight room or on the track, he is constantly trying to improve himself.”

– Dave Perkins, Key West track coach

14’9”

3RD pole vault place

Already a standout jumper and hurdler, Suharevskis Niks-Davis turned his talents to the pole vault in 2022, resulting in an eighthplace medal at the state championships in the event his sophomore year. As a junior, he brought home the silver, and though his best vault at the FHSAA 2A Track & Field State Championships bettered last year’s leap, the senior vaulter brought home the bronze and an amazing third medal in as many years. The well-decorated athlete is described by his coach as a “workaholic.” Niks-Davis refuses to be anything but his absolute best, working overtime in the weight room, at the track and in his study of an event which requires as much mental preparation as it does physical. For his willingness to lead by example and defiance in the realm of gravity, Key West’s Suharevskis Niks-Davis is the Keys Weekly Athlete of the Week.

Suharevskis Niks-Davis shows off his bronze medal from the 2024 FHSAA 2A Track & Field Championships. RICK MACKENZIE/Contributed

fled to the Keys from the frozen mountains of Pennsylvania hours after graduating from college and never looked back. She is a second-generation coach and educator, and has taught in the public school system for over 25 years. She and her husband met at a beginning teacher meeting in 1997 and have three children born and raised in Monroe County. In her free time, McDonald loves flea markets, historical fiction and long runs in the heat.

grew up in Miami and moved to the Keys in 1997. He has spent the last 25 years teaching physical education and coaching virtually every sport for Florida Keys kids ages 4 to 18. If you are reading this and live or lived in the Florida Keys, he has probably taught, coached, or coached against someone you know.

Marathon - Alex Rickert alex@keysweekly.com

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Key West - Mandy Miles mandy@keysweekly.com

The Keys Weekly Sports Wrap is proud to be the only locally-owned publication providing prep sports coverage from Key Largo to Key West. Together with our writers and photographers, we are committed to providing a comprehensive overview of the world of Keys sports with photography that allows our readers to immerse themselves in game action.

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All stories, photos, and graphics are copyrighted materials.

ATHLETES WIN FIVE MEDALS AT STATES

Conchs and Dolphins show prowess in field events

Athletes representing Marathon and Key West traveled to Jacksonville last week to compete at the FHSAA 1A and 2A State Championships held at University of North Florida. The 1A Dolphins started the state series off, competing on May 15. After weather delayed the start times, the Fins got down to business, winning a pair of medals from the five athletes in attendance.

Sophomore strongwoman Justice Lee brought her Agame to the shot put circle. Lee added a fourth-place medal and a new school record to her already-impressive accomplishments after tossing the ball 36'9.75". Lee broke her own school record four times in as many throws, besting her personal record with each toss. She now holds the school record in all three throwing events with two more years of eligibility to go.

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Marathon’s other medal came in the throwing events as well. Senior Mason Buxton, part of the Dolphin cross country machine, took his talents to the field, hurling the javelin 159’4.5” for a new school record and an eighth-place medal to cap off his high school career in style. In addition to owning the javelin record, Buxton is in the Dolphin record book in a

tracy mcdonald

sean mcdonald

1. Shane Lavallee

2. Justice Lee

3,5. Mason Buxton

4. Noah Mercer

6. Suharevskis Niks-Davis

7. Audrey Smith

8. Kayesha Christian

9. Jean Louis

Photos by RICK MACKENZIE/Contributed

four-way tie for pole vault and second in discus.

Key West took their marks the following day in the 2A championships. Though there would be no crimson and gray representing on the track, the Conchs were abundant in field events and their athletic endeavors included a trio of medals they secured at the event. Senior pole vaulter and school record-holder Suharevskis Niks-Davis cleared the bar at 14’9” and nailed down a third-place medal. Niks-Davis will add that to his silver medal from 2023 and eighth-place medal in 2022. Besides holding the school pole-vault record, Niks-Davis owns the top time in the 400 hurdles and third in the 110 hurdles in the Conchs’ track and field records.

The Conch throwers also made a splash at states. Sophomore Audrey Smith claimed fifth place in girls javelin while junior Shane Lavallee finished in sixth place, securing Key West’s other two medals. Smith’s toss of 117’1” came from the second flight of throwers, typically reserved for unseeded athletes, upsetting a slew of other throwers hoping for a medal. Lavallee’s javelin traveled 164’6”, moving him half a dozen places in the rankings. Both athletes are second in the record books for Key West and have plenty of time to move into the top spot in school history.

Other notable performances include a 10th-place finish from junior Ian Newton in pole vault. Newton peaked at the perfect time, setting a personal record and paving the way for a stellar senior campaign. Senior Anabel Portuondo finished 13th in pole vault, while classmate Jean Louis finished 17th in shot put, an event in which he holds the school record. Sophomore Noah Mercer placed 16th in the discus event with two more seasons to add to his mark.

Marathon’s Jay Marshall, owner of the Dolphin 100and 200-meter school records, finished 14th and 17th in those events as the only Keys athlete to compete on the track at states this season. Marshall is a junior and excels in the 400 as well, giving him plenty of opportunities to make a repeat trip to the big show next season.

Senior Kayesha Christian finished in 17th place in the long jump, though there was some controversy in her performance. Christian’s best leap was not measured, despite being deemed a clean jump. That mark would have placed her 14th. She is the Dolphins’ top all-time long and triple jumper, and Christian is second in the Fins’ record books in the 100-meter race.

Sophomore pole-vault record-holder Ava Merryman, a two-time state qualifier, had little time to prepare for some unforeseen circumstances. Unable to use her own pole and with a weather delay rushing the practice times, Merryman could not match her personal best on borrowed equipment.

LIFTER OF THE YEAR

SENIOR | CSHS 219 POUNDS

Coral Shores strongman AJ Johnson was the only Keys lifter to qualify for the state championship in both styles of lifting. The senior finished in eighth place in Olympic lifting, the top finisher in the county. The double district champ added a silver regional medal in Olympic lifts and bronze in traditional. Johnson is praised for his teamwork as much as his hard work in the weightroom.

SOPHOMORE | MHS 183 POUNDS

Marathon’s Max Childress secured gold medals at districts in both lifting events and then earned a silver regional medal in traditional and bronze in Olympic lifts. Just a sophomore, Childress was just 10 pounds away from a state championship nod.

MEET THE ALL-KEYS BOYS WEIGHT LIFTING TEAM

Monroe County athletes’ power and form stood out in a sea of talent

Coral Shores and Marathon had highly successful seasons in boys weightlifting this year. Coral Shores finished their district competitions by taking third place as a team in Olympic weightlifting and fourth in traditional, while Marathon claimed the district runner-up trophies in both categories and went on to secure third in traditional lifting at regionals. Between the two teams, Monroe County earned nine district titles and sent three athletes to the state event, where one lifter from each team finished in the top 10. Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the accomplishments is that a majority of the athletes will return next season stronger and ready to claim more hardware. Congratulations to the 2024 All-Keys Boys Weightlifting Team.

JUNIOR | MHS 199

Tanner Ross earned double district championship medals and went on to finish fourth at regionals in Olympic lifts, qualifying him for the state championships. Ross finished ninth there and continues to work hard in the weight room for his upcoming senior season.

JUNIOR | MHS 119 POUNDS

After a productive offseason, Marathon’s Chase Leird earned himself two district gold medals. He secured a spot at the state championships in traditional lifts after winning bronze at regionals.

Photos by Barry Gaukel and Doug Finger

JUNIOR | MHS 154 POUNDS

Dolphin 154-pounder Damian Stasiewicz brought home a pair of silver medals from districts, competing against one of the top lifters in the state. He then earned a bronze at regionals in traditional and a fourth place in Olympic lifts.

JUNIOR | MHS 238 POUNDS

Garcia won a district championship in traditional lifts, then placed sixth at regionals. Since competing there, the hard-working junior has added 35 pounds to his bench press, making his senior campaign one full of great expectations.

Braulio

Tanner Ross

Max Childress

Braulio Garcia

Chase Leird

Damian Stasiewicz

POUNDS

AJ Johnson

Matthias Martinez Velez

SOPHOMORE | MHS 139 POUNDS

With two seasons of eligibility remaining, sophomore Matthias Martinez-Velez wasted no time making a name for himself in weightlifting. Martinez-Velez brought home a silver medal from districts in traditional lifting, then did the same at regionals, where he came within a few places of qualifying for the state meet.

Xavier Johnson

SOPHOMORE | CSHS 183 POUNDS

Coral Shores’ Xavier Johnson claimed a pair of bronze medals at districts, showing promise in both the Olympic and traditional events. With two seasons of eligibility remaining, Johnson has plenty of potential to make a showing at states in the near future.

Eduardo Garcia

SOPHOMORE | MHS 238 POUNDS

Sophomore Eduardo Garcia

captured a bronze medal at districts in traditional lifts and silver in Olympic. He went on to finish ninth at regionals in Olympic lifts. Just a sophomore, Garcia looks promising for a repeat or better in Olympic next season and has already added to his bench to enhance his traditional event scoring as well.

Zane Rindom

JUNIOR| CSHS 219 POUNDS

Coral Shores’ Zane Rindom was fourth in the district in traditional lifts and fifth in Olympic. His Olympic total qualified him for regionals, where he placed ninth in the event. The talented junior has everything it takes to go even further in his senior campaign.

MMEET THE 2023-24 ALL-KEYS BOYS SOCCER TEAM

onroe County boys soccer had one team with a winning record this season, as Key West went on an impressive streak to finish 9-5-2 after failing to pick up a win in their first five matches. The Conchs went on to win or tie 11 games in a row, including a quarterfinal district victory over South Miami, before MAST Academy ended their season in the semifinals. The Conchs defeated Coral Shores, playing them just once last season, and Marathon, then went on to tie the Dolphins in a 0-0 defensive showdown in the two teams’ second matchup. Marathon had the next-best record, picking up a win against Coral Shores and another in an upset over Somerset South Homestead in the district quarterfinals. The Fins finished 6-7-2 on the season, with the ties coming from Key West and Coral Shores. The Hurricanes finished 2-8-3, with both wins being shutouts, eventually closing their season with a quarterfinals loss.

9

7 Loubins Fleuridor Oscar Cardona SOPHOMORE | KWHS MIDFIELDER/FORWARD JUNIOR | MHS FORWARD

11 Nico Sulak

SOPHOMORE | KWHS FORWARD

In two years of varsity play, Key West’s Loubins Fleuridor clearly has what it takes to become one of the Conchs’ best offensive players in history. With 8 goals and 8 assists on the season, Fleuridor shared the top scoring spot this season. Coach Nic Farrar noted his “willingness to drive the team forward.” The sophomore sensation also shared the role as team captain and was noted for stellar leadership.

Marathon’s leading scorer and go-to guy when a win is on the line, Oscar Cardona is described by Fins coach Shannon Wiley as “a very dedicated part of the team and a fun player to coach ” He noted that Cardona has improved both his skills and leadership this season, paving the way for a strong senior campaign.

Sulak finished the season with 7 goals and 8 assists, ranking him as one of the Conchs’ leading scorers. Farrar described him as the player to “lead the forward line when sometimes outnumbered,” noting Sulak’s willingness to play unfamiliar positions when the team needed it. With two seasons of varsity eligibility remaining, Sulak has what it takes to become a phenomenal player.

18 Wyatt Gibson SENIOR | KWHS FORWARD

With 8 goals to his name this season, senior Wyatt Gibson was tied for most prolific in Conch scoring. As coachable as he is talented, Farrar said, “Even in his last year of high school, he had the desire to continue to get better by asking questions.”

Photos by Barry Gaukel, Grace Andrew, Doug Finger and contributed

20

Tiago Rivero

SOPHOMORE | MHS GOALKEEPER

Marathon goalkeeper Tiago Rivero had a stellar season with the Fins, amassing 3 shutouts and keeping the Dolphins in games despite being peppered at times with shots on goal. Rivero stopped 92% of would-be goals this season. Wiley said Rivero “is phenomenal at his job,” adding that he is “both skilled and attentive to the needs of the team.”

5

20

Robert Temkin

Senior Robert Temkin shored up Coral Shores’ midfield with an unending supply of energy. The threesport athlete has a healthy combination of speed and stamina and has been an integral player for the ’Canes for multiple seasons. Temkin was a hard-working leader whose presence on the pitch will be missed next season.

11

Grady Temkin

SOPHOMORE | CSHS DEFENDER

Sophomore Grady Temkin was integral in Coral Shores’ defensive scheme this season. The ’Canes lost only two games by a differential of more than two goals in part due to the solid game play Temkin delivered. In his second year on the varsity roster, Temkin has already set the tempo for a winning ’24-’25 season.

10

Sebastian Camargo

SOPHOMORE | KWHS FORWARD

Conchs forward Sebastian Camargo is as intelligent a player as he is athletic, understanding when to shoot and when to pass the ball to someone in a better position to do so. His 8 assists this season illustrate this, as well as the intensity with which he plays. Farrar credited Camargo with his desire to improve despite his alreadyapparent talent.

SOPHOMORE | MHS WINGER

Referred to as “Tiny” by his teammates, Jayden Rosete’s gameplay is anything but that. Wiley called Rosete “a machine,” explaining that “Jayden has a big heart, and a presence on the field that is huge. He often played the full 90-plus minutes of games, seldom ever needing a break. He was a key part of the success we had this season.”

22

Angel Cardona SENIOR | CSHS MIDFIELDER

SOPHOMORE | MHS DEFENDER

Just a sophomore, Marathon’s Angel Cardona was part of the Fins’ defensive unit, which minimized goals scored against them and kept the ball on the offensive side of play. Cardona is described by Wiley as “a super young man with positive energy and a willingness to learn.”

22

Preston Carroll Kieran Smith Jayden Rosete

JUNIOR | CSHS MIDFIELDER

Preston Carroll’s greatest feat on the pitch is his leadership, which says quite a bit considering his athletic talent. Agile, versatile and full of speed, the junior midfielder is a two-time captain and multiyear starter for the ’Canes. He can control the tempo and deliver the ball where it needs to go despite having to do so under double-team pressure. His senior season has all the markings to be a success.

5

SOPHOMORE | KWHS DEFENDER

Team co-captain Kieran Smith was Key West’s defensive leader this season, inspiring his teammates with a show of hard work and willingness to do what it took to help his team win. Farrar described the sophomore as always smiling, always positive and always encouraging others.

PINECREST HANGS ON TO BEST FINS

Turnovers plague Marathon in spring classic

Marathon was the first Keys team to kick off their spring classic, hosting the Panthers of Pinecrest on May 17.

The Fins got off to a slow start on both sides of the ball, and despite some spectacular breakaway plays, found themselves down 13-0 with moments to go in the first half, and Pinecrest was knocking at the door to score again. That’s when the Dolphins’ D stepped up and held the Panthers in a goal-line stand. From that moment forward, the Fins turned it on.

Coming out of the half,

Marathon managed to score a trio of TDs, all on the ground. Rising seniors Carlos Lezcano and Fab Louis Jeune and rising junior Josh Wall each scored one for Marathon. Louis Jeune added a point after and a 2-point conversion to give the Fins 20 second-half points. But turnovers spelled disaster for Marathon in both halves.

“You don’t win many games when you turn the ball over four times,” said Dolphins head coach Sean McDonald. “But overall, I’m pleased with the way the guys played, especially in the second half. The defense stepped up big at crucial times.”

One of those crucial times was late in the fourth quarter, after their third touchdown of the game.

The Fins’ defensive unit held the Panthers, handing the ball back to an offense that had finally found its groove.

Down by only six points, the Dolphins were in a position to tie up the game and seal a victory on the leg of Louis Jeune, Marathon’s recordholding kicker. Unfortunately for Marathon, turnover number four came during their final drive in the form of an interception, giving Pinecrest the ball with 2 minutes to go in the game and ending any hopes for a win.

Marathon’s three-week spring football season may have culminated in a 26-20 loss, but McDonald remains optimistic for his team’s fall schedule.

“Overall, I’m happy with the way spring went. The team has good attitudes and we had a really productive three weeks,” he said. “I am happy with the way they bounced back after a slow start, but we had a great second half.” McDonald praised rising senior Tanner Ross, whose play on offense and defense was key for the Fins.

“Tanner played great. He is a constant,” McDonald said. “Pinecrest was not able to run the ball on us, which is a big improvement. Braulio (Garcia), Izzy (Israel Gonzalez) and Shamar (Wright)

definitely stepped up on defense for us. They put us in a position to win – we just didn’t make it happen.”

Marathon will have one shot at redemption against Pinecrest this fall. The Fins face the Panthers in their final regular-season game, scheduled to be played at Florida Atlantic University on Nov. 2. The Dolphins’ first contest this fall is a preseason matchup scheduled against Mater Academy at home on Aug. 16.

Top left: Carlos Lezcano runs upfield. Above: eighth-grader Kye Daughtry makes a tackle for a loss in Marathon’s spring football classic. Photos by BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly. See more game photos at keysweekly.com.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

11TH STREET OCEAN MINI

STORAGE

Notice is here by given that on June 8th, 2024 at 10:00 a.m., 11th Street Ocean Mini Storage will be offering for sale under the Judicial Lien Process, by Public Auction, the following storage units. The Terms of the sale will be cash only. 11th Street Ocean Mini Storage does reserve the right to refuse any bids. The sales will be held at 200 11th Street, Ocean, Marathon, Florida 33050. Units to be sold: Unit #19

Publish: May 23 & 30, 2024 The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

Notice is hereby given that the following vessel will be sold at public sale on the date listed below at 10AM for monies owed on vessel storage pursuant to Florida Statutes 713.78.

Sale: June 6, 2024 at 10:00 AM

Location: Mile Marker 31 Boat & RV Storage, LLC, 79 Industrial Road, Big Pine Key, FL 33043 Vessel: 1996 Hunter Sail Boat VIN# HUNF0589E696 Mile Marker 31 Boat & RV Storage, LLC reserves the right to accept or reject any and/ all bids.

Publish: May 23 & 30, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

Notice is hereby given that the following vessel will be sold at public sale on the date listed below at 10AM for monies owed on vessel storage pursuant to Florida Statutes 713.78.

Sale: June 6, 2024 at 10:00 AM

Location: Mile Marker 31 Boat & RV Storage, LLC, 79 Industrial Road, Big Pine Key, FL 33043 Vessel: 2007 Cadillac STS (Wrecked)

VIN# 1GSDC67A77015403

Mile Marker 31 Boat & RV Storage, LLC reserves the right to accept or reject any and/ all bids.

Publish: May 23 & 30, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

Notice is hereby given that the following vessel will be sold at public sale on the date listed below at 10AM for monies owed on vessel storage pursuant to Florida Statutes 713.78.

Sale: June 6, 2024 at 10:00 AM

Location: Mile Marker 31 Boat & RV Storage, LLC, 79 Industrial Road, Big Pine Key, FL 33043

Vessel: 2018 Coachmen Catalina

VIN# 5ZT2CAMB1JU028237

Mile Marker 31 Boat & RV Storage, LLC reserves the right to accept or reject any and/ all bids.

Publish: May 23 & 30, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

Notice is hereby given that the following vessel will be sold at public sale on the date listed below at 10AM for monies owed on vessel storage pursuant to Florida Statutes 713.78.

Sale: Friday, May 31, 2024 at 10:00 AM

Location: LAMA Inc., 13755 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050

Vessel: 1981 Fly N Fish, Fiberglass, White Color VIN# TPP60045M82A LAMA Inc. reserves the right to accept or reject any and/ all bids.

Publish: May 16 & 23, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

Public Meeting

Government Center, BOCC Meeting Room on the 2nd floor, 2798 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050. The Board will make recommendations on the County Fiscal Year 2025 funding for human services. The meeting will be a hybrid format with the HSAB meeting live at the Marathon Government Center. The public will be able to participate inperson or via Communication Media Technology (“CMT”) using a Zoom Webinar platform. The HSAB meeting will begin at 10:00 A.M. on Monday, June 10, 2024. The webinar will begin at 9:30 A.M., a ½ hour before the meeting, to allow time for people to join and test connections. Below are the various options available to the public to view the live meeting and/or to make public comments on certain agenda items during the public portion of the meeting. Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://mcbocc.zoom. us/j/89108292479 Or iPhone one-tap : US: +16465189805,,89108292479# or +16699006833,,89108292479# Or Telephone: Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 646 518 9805  or +1 669 900 6833 Webinar ID: 891 0829 2479 International numbers available: https://mcbocc.zoom.us/u/ kdNMNvOQ5X

For a copy of the agenda or other information, contact Oksana Christow, Grants Coordinator, in writing at 1100 Simonton St., Room 2-213, Key West, FL 33040; by phone at 305-292-4474; or by email at Christow-Oksana@ monroecounty-fl.gov. If members of the public wish to submit written documentation, the documentation must be submitted to Oksana Christow prior to the meeting and no later than June 3, 2024, by 5:00 P.M.

The public is advised that some or all the members of the Monroe County Board of Commissioners may attend the meeting and discuss items that may come before the Commission.

If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the board with respect to any matter considered at such meeting or hearing, he or she will need a record of the proceedings, and that, for such purpose, he or she may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.

ADA ASSISTANCE: If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodations in order to participate in this proceeding, please contact the County Administrator’s Office, by phoning (305) 292-4441, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call “711”. Live Closed Captioning is available via our web portal @ http://monroecountyfl.iqm2. com/Citizens/Default.aspx  for meetings of the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners.

Publish: May 23, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

The District I Advisory Committee (DAC I) of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council will hold a regular meeting on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. via Communications Media Technology using a Zoom webinar platform. The access points to view the meeting or for members of the public to provide public comment will be: Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/94870173053 Meeting ID: 948 7017 3053 One tap mobile

+13052241968,,94870173053#

US +13126266799,,94870173053#

US (Chicago)

All District Advisory Committee Meetings of the Tourist Development Council are open to the public and one or more TDC Members and/or County Commissioners may be in attendance.

If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the board with respect to any matter considered at such meeting or hearing, they will need a record of the proceedings, and that, for such purpose, they may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.

ADA ASSISTANCE: If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodations in order to participate in this proceeding, please contact the County Administrator’s Office, by phoning 305-292-4441, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., no later than five (5) calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voice-impaired, call “711”.

Publish:

May 23, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

The District II Advisory Committee (DAC II) of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. via Communications Media Technology using a Zoom webinar platform. The access points to view the meeting or for members of the public to provide public comment will be: Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/93288265059 Meeting ID: 932 8826 5059

One tap mobile +13052241968,,93288265059# US +13092053325,,93288265059#

US

All District Advisory Committee Meetings of the Tourist Development Council are open to the public and one or more TDC Members and/or County Commissioners may be in attendance.

If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the board with respect to any matter considered at such meeting or hearing, they will need a record of the proceedings, and that, for such purpose, they may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.

ADA ASSISTANCE: If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodations in order to participate in this proceeding, please contact the County Administrator’s Office, by phoning 305-292-4441, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., no later than five (5) calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voice-impaired, call “711”.

Publish: May 23, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

The District III Advisory Committee (DAC III) of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council will hold a regular meeting on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. via Communications Media Technology using a Zoom webinar platform. The access points to view the meeting or for members of the public to provide public comment will be: Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/94383058224

Meeting ID: 943 8305 8224

One tap mobile

+13052241968,,94383058224# US

+13092053325,,94383058224#

US

All District Advisory Committee Meetings of the Tourist Development Council are open

to the public and one or more

TDC Members and/or County Commissioners may be in attendance.

If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the board with respect to any matter considered at such meeting or hearing, they will need a record of the proceedings, and that, for such purpose, they may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.

ADA ASSISTANCE: If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodations in order to participate in this proceeding, please contact the County Administrator’s Office, by phoning 305-292-4441, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., no later than five (5) calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voice-impaired, call “711”.

Publish: May 23, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

The District IV Advisory Committee (DAC IV) of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. via Communications Media Technology using a Zoom webinar platform. The access points to view the meeting or for members of the public to provide public comment will be:

Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/94321741953

Meeting ID: 943 2174 1953

One tap mobile +13052241968,,94321741953# US +13126266799,,94321741953#

US (Chicago)

All District Advisory Committee Meetings of the Tourist Development Council are open to the public and one or more TDC Members and/or County Commissioners may be in attendance.

If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the board with respect to any matter considered at such meeting or hearing, they will need a record of the proceedings, and that, for such purpose, they may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.

ADA ASSISTANCE: If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodations in order to participate in this proceeding, please contact the County Administrator’s Office, by phoning 305-292-4441, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., no later than five (5) calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voice-impaired, call “711”.

Publish: May 23, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

The District V Advisory Committee (DAC V) of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. via Communications Media Technology using a Zoom webinar platform. The access points to view the meeting or for members of the public to provide public comment will be: Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/93325595587 Meeting ID: 933 2559 5587

One tap mobile +13052241968,,93325595587# US +16469313860,,93325595587# US All District Advisory Committee Meetings of the Tourist Development Council are open to the public and one or more TDC Members and/or County Commissioners may be in attendance.

If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the board with respect to any matter

considered at such meeting or hearing, they will need a record of the proceedings, and that, for such purpose, they may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. ADA ASSISTANCE: If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodations in order to participate in this proceeding, please contact the County Administrator’s Office, by phoning 305-292-4441, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., no later than five (5) calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voice-impaired, call “711”.

Publish: May 23, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

The Monroe County Tourist Development Council will hold their regularly scheduled meeting at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. This will be a hybrid meeting of in person at the Harvey Government Center (1200 Truman Ave # 207, Key West, FL 33040) and Communications Media Technology using a Zoom webinar platform: Monroe County Tourist Development Council Meeting Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://mcbocc.zoom. us/j/83300176016 Or iPhone one-tap: US: +16465189805,,83300176016# or +16699006833,,83300176016# Or Telephone: Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 646 518 9805 or +1 669 900 6833 Webinar ID: 833 0017 6016

International numbers available: https://mcbocc.zoom.us/u/ kdfeTtPHLB

The Visit Florida Keys Corporation will also convene during this meeting. All Tourist Development Council Meetings are open to the public, and one or more County Commissioners may be in attendance. If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the board with respect to any matter considered at such meeting or hearing, they will need a record of the proceedings, and that, for such purpose, they may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.

ADA ASSISTANCE: If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodations in order to participate in this proceeding, please contact the Monroe County Administrator’s Office, by phoning 305-2924441, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., no later than five (5) calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting. If you are hearing or voice impaired, call “711”.

Publish: May 23, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Friday, May 31, 2024, at 3:00 P.M., the Monroe County Purchasing Office will receive and open sealed responses for the following: Key West Noise Insulation Program (NIP) Construction Project, Group 1, up to 14 Homes Monroe County, Florida Pursuant to F.S. § 50.0211(3) (a), all published competitive solicitation notices can be viewed at: www. floridapublicnotices.com, a searchable Statewide repository for all published legal notices. Requirements for submission and the selection criteria may be requested from the County’s electronic bidding platform at https://monroecounty-fl. bonfirehub.com OR www.

monroecounty-fl.gov/ BonfireBids. The Public Record is available upon request. Monroe County Purchasing Department receives bids via the Bonfire electronic bidding platform. Please do not email, mail or attempt to deliver in person any sealed bids. Emailed/mailed/physically delivered bids/proposals/ responses WILL NOT be accepted.

The Monroe County Purchasing Department hereby directs that bids be submitted via the Bonfire electronic bidding platform at https:// monroecounty-fl.bonfirehub. com, no later than 3:00P.M. on May 31, 2024. There is no cost to the bidder to use the Bonfire platform. Please do not submit your confidential financial information as part of your proposal. There are separate uploads for each set of documents, including confidential financial information. All proposals will be made public on the platform after an intended decision or 30 days, whichever is earlier, unless the bids/proposals are rejected in accordance with F.S. 119.071. If your proposal document includes financial information, that information will not be considered confidential and will be available and viewable to the public in accordance with public records law.

The bid opening for this solicitation will be held virtually, via the internet, at 3:00 P.M., on Friday, May 31, 2024. You may call in by phone or internet using the following: Join Zoom Meeting https://mcbocc.zoom. us/j/4509326156 Meeting ID: 4509326156

One tap mobile: +16465189805,,4509326156# US (New York) +16699006833,,4509326156# US (San Jose)

Dial by your location: +1 646 518 9805 US (New York) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

Publish: May 23, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at 3:00 P.M., the Monroe County Purchasing Office will receive and open sealed responses for the following: Ocean Bay Drive Bridge Repair Project Monroe County, Florida Pursuant to F.S. § 50.0211(3) (a), all published competitive solicitation notices can be viewed at: www. floridapublicnotices.com, a searchable Statewide repository for all published legal notices. Requirements for submission and the selection criteria may be requested from the County’s electronic bidding platform at https://monroecounty-fl. bonfirehub.com OR www. monroecounty-fl.gov/ BonfireBids. The Public Record is available upon request. Monroe County Purchasing Department receives bids via the Bonfire electronic bidding platform. Please do not email, mail or attempt to deliver in person any sealed bids. Emailed/mailed/physically delivered bids/proposals/ responses WILL NOT be accepted. The Monroe County Purchasing Department hereby directs that bids be submitted via the Bonfire electronic bidding platform at https:// monroecounty-fl.bonfirehub. com, no later than 3:00P.M. on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. There is no cost to the bidder to use the Bonfire platform. Please do not submit your confidential financial information as part of your proposal. There are separate uploads for each set of documents, including confidential financial information. All proposals will be made public on the platform after an intended decision or 30 days, whichever is earlier, unless the bids/proposals are rejected

in accordance with F.S. 119.071. If your proposal document includes financial information, that information will not be considered confidential and will be available and viewable to the public in accordance with public records law. The bid opening for this solicitation will be held virtually, via the internet, at 3:00 P.M., on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. You may call in by phone or internet using the following: Join Zoom Meeting https://mcbocc.zoom. us/j/4509326156 Meeting ID: 4509326156

One tap mobile: +16465189805,,4509326156# US (New York) +16699006833,,4509326156# US (San Jose)

Dial by your location: +1 646 518 9805 US (New York) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) Publish: May 23, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2023-CC-78-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 12th day of June, 2024 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 C34, Week 47, Beach House, a Condominium according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof recorded in Official Records Book 1510, Page 225, Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and all exhibits attached thereto, and any amendments thereof (the “Declaration”).

Pursuant to IN REM SUMMARY FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE AS TO COUNT(S) 1 UNIT C34, WEEK 47 entered in a case pending in said Court, the 3rd day of May 2024 Style of which is: BEACH HOUSE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION OF KEY WEST, INC., A NONPROFIT CORPORATION UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA Plaintiff vs. ANY AND ALL UNKNOWN PARTIES WHO CLAIM AN INTEREST AS SPOUSE, HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES, PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES, ADMINISTRATORS OR AS OTHER CLAIMANTS, BY, THROUGH, UNDER OR AGAINST ROBERT I. CASADY, DECEASED, et.al Defendant

And the Docket Number of which is Number 2023-CC-78-K WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 16TH day of May 2024. KEVIN MADOK, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Shonta McLeod As 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: May 23 & 30, 2024 The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2023-CC-75-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

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES •

the 12th day of June, 2024 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 5231, Week 14, Annual Windward Pointe, a Leasehold Condominium (“Condominium”), according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof recorded in Official Records Book 1803, Page 844, Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and all exhibits thereto, and any amendments thereof (the “Declaration”). Pursuant to IN REM SUMMARY FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE AS TO COUNT(S) II UNIT 5231, WEEK 14 entered in a case pending in said Court, the 3rd day of May 2024 Style of which is:

WINDWARD POINTE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION OF KEY WEST, INC., A CORPORATION NOT-FORPROFIT 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 WAYNE NIES ROOT, DECEASED, et.al Defendant And the Docket Number of which is Number 2023-CC-75-K WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 16TH day of May 2024.

KEVIN MADOK, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Shonta McLeod As 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: May 23 & 30, 2024 The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2023-CC-11-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 12th day of June, 2024 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 5511, Week 4, Windward Pointe, a Leasehold Condominium (“Condominium”), according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof recorded in Official Records Book 1803, Page 844, Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and all exhibits thereto, and any amendments thereof (the “Declaration”).

Pursuant to IN REM SUMMARY FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE AS TO COUNT(S) I UNIT 5511, WEEK 4 entered in a case pending in said Court, the 3rd day of May 2024

Style of which is: WINDWARD POINTE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION OF KEY WEST, INC., A CORPORATION NOT-FORPROFIT 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 MICHAEL THOMAS SAVITSKY, DECEASED, et.al

Defendant And the Docket Number of which is Number 2023-CC-11-K WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 16TH day of May 2024. KEVIN MADOK, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Shonta McLeod As 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: May 23 & 30, 2024 The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2023-CC-11-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 12th day of June, 2024 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 5234, Week 19, Windward Pointe, a Leasehold Condominium (“Condominium”), according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof recorded in Official Records Book 1803, Page 844, Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and all exhibits thereto, and any amendments thereof (the “Declaration”).

Pursuant to IN REM SUMMARY FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE AS TO COUNT(S) II UNIT 5234, WEEK 19 entered in a case pending in said Court, the 3rd day of May 2024

Style of which is: WINDWARD POINTE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION OF KEY WEST, INC., A CORPORATION NOT-FORPROFIT 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 MICHAEL THOMAS SAVITSKY, DECEASED, et.al

Defendant

And the Docket Number of which is Number 2023-CC-11-K WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 16TH day of May 2024. KEVIN MADOK, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida

By: Shonta McLeod As 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: May 23 & 30, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2023-CC-11-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 12th day of June, 2024 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 5811, Week 29, Even Year Biennial Windward Pointe, a Leasehold Condominium (“Condominium”), according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof recorded in Official Records Book 1803, Page 844, Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and all exhibits thereto, and any amendments thereof (the “Declaration”).

Pursuant to IN REM SUMMARY FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE AS TO COUNT(S) III UNIT 5811, WEEK 29 entered in a case pending in said Court, the 3rd day of May 2024 Style of which is: WINDWARD POINTE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION OF KEY WEST, INC., A CORPORATION NOT-FORPROFIT 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 MICHAEL THOMAS SAVITSKY, DECEASED, et.al

Defendant And the Docket Number of which is Number 2023-CC-11-K WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 16TH day of May 2024. KEVIN MADOK, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Shonta McLeod As 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: May 23 & 30, 2024 The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 24-CP-246-P DIVISION: UPPER KEYS IN RE: ESTATE OF WILLIAM R. ALBURY Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of William R. Albury, deceased, whose date of death was April 10, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for MONROE County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88770 Overseas Highway, Suite 2, Tavernier, Florida 33070. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702

WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.

The date of first publication of this notice is: May 23, 2024.

Personal Representative: Shawn William Albury 96050 Overseas Highway

Key Largo, Florida 33037

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: May 23 & 30, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 24-CP-216-K

DIVISION: KEY WEST

IN RE: ESTATE OF CHARLES S. NATION, III

Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of Charles S. Nation, III, deceased, whose date of death was April 11, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.

The date of first publication of this notice is: May 23, 2024.

Personal Representative: Douglas S. Lawes

29971 Pine Channel Road

Big Pine Key, Florida 33043

Attorney for Personal Representative: Robert K. Miller, Esq.

Attorney Florida Bar Number: 359173

Cunningham Miller Rhyne PA 10075 Overseas Hwy PO Box 500938 Marathon, FL 33050

Telephone: (305) 743-9428

Fax: (305) 743-8800

E-Mail: service@ floridakeyslaw.com

Secondary E-Mail: rmiller@ floridakeyslaw.com

Publish: May 23 & 30, 2024 The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR

LEGAL NOTICES

MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

PROBATE DIVISION CASE NO. 24-CP-000234-K IN RE: ESTATE OF KARL JOHN JOHNSON Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the Estate of Karl John Johnson, deceased, whose date of death was November 16, 2023, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.

The date of first publication of this notice is: May 23, 2024. Personal Representative: Karen Johnson 27997 Coral Shores Road Little Torch Key, FL 33042

Attorney for Personal Representative: Seth S. Diamond, Esquire Florida Bar Number: 55714 Sloto & Diamond, PLLC 9100 S. Dadeland Boulevard, Suite 1607 Miami, Florida 33156

Telephone: (305) 379-1792

Fax: (305) 379-2328

E-Mail: eservice@slotolaw.com

Publish: May 23 & 30, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 24-CP-207-M DIVISION: MIDDLE KEYS IN RE: ESTATE OF SANDRA A. MORRIS Deceased. NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of Sandra A. Morris, deceased, whose date of death was April 4, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for MONROE County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 3117 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Florida 33050. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court 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: May 16, 2024.

Personal Representative: Lisa Anne Morris Begley 125 Old Saugatuck Rd. Norwalk, Connecticut 06855

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: May 16 & 23, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 2024-CP-000218-K IN RE: ESTATE OF ROBERT A. HILL

Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of Robert A. Hill, deceased, whose date of death was May 1, 2023, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 500 Whitehead St., Key West, Florida 33040. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served, must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims 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 PERIOD 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: May 16, 2024. Personal Representative: Thea Flaum 25 East Superior Street, Unit 4901 Chicago, IL 60611

Attorney for Personal Representative:

Lorna A. McGeorge, Esq. Florida Bar No. 1012328 Harrison LLP 8625 Tamiami Trail N, Suite 202 Naples, FL 34108 Telephone: (239) 316-1400 E-mail: lmcgeorge@ harrisonllp.com

Secondary E-Mail: krose@ harrisonllp.com Publish: May 16 & 23, 2024 The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 16TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2024-DR-95-K

DIVISION: FAMILY MANOL DELVA Petitioner, and, MARIE ELCANA ANILUS Respondent. NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE (NO CHILD OR FINANCIAL SUPPORT) TO: MARIE ELCANA ANILUS RESPONDENT’S LAST KNOWN ADDRESS: 281 NORTH WARREN AVENUE, COLUMBUS, OH 43204 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 Manol Delva, whose address is 5B 8th Avenue, Stock Island, FL 33040 on or before June 24, 2024, 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: N/A 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: May 10, 2024 Kevin Madok, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Destiny Johnson Deputy Clerk Publish: May 23 & 30 and June 6 & 13 2024 The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 24-DR-223-K DIVISION: FAMILY FATIMA HERRERA Petitioner, and, MATEO DIAZ MUNOZ Respondent.

NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE (NO CHILD OR FINANCIAL SUPPORT)

TO: MATEO DIAZ MUNOZ LAST KNOWN ADDRESS: 278 King Avenue, Key Largo, FL 33037 CURRENT ADDRESS: Unknown YOU ARE HEREBY 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 Sylvia E. Fernandez, P.A., Petitioners’s Attorney, at 1501 Venera Avenue, Suite 230, Coral Gables, Florida 33146, Phone Number (305) 461-6060, on or before June 17, 2024, and file the original with the clerk of this court at 88770 Overseas Highway, Ste 2, Plantation Key, Florida 33070 before service on

Petitioner’s attorney 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 Notice of Current Address, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.915.) Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed to the address 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 on 10th of May, 2024 Kevin Madok, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida

By: Daniella Lafontant

Deputy Clerk

Publish: May 16, 23 & 30 and June 6, 2024 The Weekly Newspapers

AUTOS WANTED

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

AUTOS FOR SALE

Place your AUTO FOR SALE ad here. $25.00/ week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844

BOAT SLIP FOR RENT

Boat Dockage for rent in Marathon. Private bay bottom, up to 40' boat, self containing, offshore water, car & dingy parking space provided. 305-610-8002

Place your BOAT SLIP FOR RENT ad here. $25.00/week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844

CAMPING SITE

Camping site / RV site at marina available in Marathon. Monthly/ Daily rates. Free use of dingy & fishing on dock. 305-610-8002

EMPLOYMENT

Looking for Alarm Technicians with current working knowledge of fire alarm systems in Marathon & Key West. Competitive pay. Hours: M-F 8:30a-4:30p. Email deborahg@ barnesalarmsystems. com or call 305-743-7334 for more information.

ATTENTION- Marathon Auto & Marine Services looking for Auto Techs and for Trailer Service Tech.Pay based on experience. Apply in person at 2525 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL. Ask for Steve or Jay.

Now Hiring Skilled Plumbers. New construction & full service. Upper Keys Plumbing Contractor looking for immediate hires to fill fulltime or part-time positions. Must have great mechanical & problem solving skills and clean driving record. Experience plus ownership of working toos and/or equipment based rate of pay. Email resume or request application to PlumbersinParadise@ outlook.com

City of Marathon Current Job Openings: Part-time Custodian/ Maintenance. Full Benefits for full-time positions. EOE Please see City website for details www.ci.marathon.fl.us

Marathon Yacht Club is hiring part-time servers and bartenders. Private club, friendly atmosphere, guaranteed gratuities. Flexible lunch/dinner shifts available Tuesday – Sunday. Must provide photo ID, social security card or passport, and checking account. Call 305743-6739 to schedule an interview or email office@ marathonyachtclub.com.

Marathon Yacht Club is hiring a full-time line cook. Private club, friendly atmosphere, afternoon/ evening hours Tuesday – Sunday. Must provide checking account for direct deposit, photo ID, and social security card or passport. Call 305743-6739 to schedule an interview or email office@ marathonyachtclub.com.

The Housing Authority of the City of Key West now hiring the following positions: Med Tech, FT Receptionist, PT Housing Assistant, Housing Choice Voucher Asst., PT Receptionist, Housing ManagerMiddle Keys, HVAC Maintenance Mechanic, and Maintenance Mechanic (Maintenance Worker). To apply, please contact Human Resources at: martinezm@kwha.org or 305-296-5621 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.

Serve/Bartend on the ocean! The Cabana Club, an ocean front private swim club is seeking a customer service-oriented Server/Bartender. Serve on pool deck, beach and/ or bar lounge. Open year round, 9:30am-7pm daily. Full time/Part time. Small friendly staff. Above average hourly wage plus tips. Apply in person at 425 E. Ocean Dr. Key Colony Beach or call 404-2193359 and ask for Dave.

PRIVATE COLLECTOR

WANTS Rolex, Dive Watches and Pilot Watches. Old Model Military Clocks & Watches. Call 305-743-4578

HOUSING FOR RENT

ANNUAL RENTALKey Largo - 2BR/2BA Spacious Doublewide, 1400 sq ft modular on canal w/40’ dock, direct ocean access. Very nice community. $3,500/ month 786-258-3127

Place your HOUSING FOR RENT ad here. $25.00/week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844

RV site at marina available in Marathon. Monthly/Daily rates. Free use of dingy & fishing on dock. 305-610-8002

VACATION RENTAL

Key West House For Rent - 28 day minimum. Recently renovated. 2 Units: 3BR/3BA or 2BR/2.5BA. 1 block to Schooner Wharf @ Historic Seaport. Starting $214/night. Sweet Caroline Seaport.com

YARD SALES

Place your YARD SALE ad here. $25.00/week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today!

Sat. May 25 from 7:30am - ?? 143 Bimini Drive, Duck Key, MM61 - Big YELLOW House. Fishing Gear, Spear Guns, Clothes, Kids Toys, Dog Toys, Some Patio Furniture & Misc. Household Items.

We are having a Yard Sale on Sat, May 25 & Sun, May 26 from 9am-2pm, 190 8th Street, Key Colony Beach. Lots of goodies, knick knacks, some fishing, life jackets, lots of kitchen stuff, clothes & towels. No early birds!

FULL-TIME POSITION BUILDING OFFICIAL

The City of Key Colony Beach is accepting applications for the position of Building Official. Applicants must possess a Florida State Certification as a Building Code Administrator through the Florida Department of Professional Regulation, the Building Code Administrators and Inspectors Board or ability to receive certification within one (1) year. Knowledge of fire-rated construction and the Florida Fire Code is required. Thorough knowledge of the Florida Building Code is required.

Work experience must include word processing skills, organizational skills, and excellent written and verbal communication skills. A high level of community interest and familiarity of municipal government is desired. This position is responsible for planning, organizing, managing and directing all building inspection functions of the Building Department. Performs a variety of routine and technical work in connection with enforcement of City Ordinances and Florida Statutes and Building Codes regulating construction.

A full job description is available at www.keycolonybeach.net/apply-for-a-job

Salary: $110,000 +/- Dependent on Qualifications/Experience Full Health & Dental Insurance, 457 (b) Participation

Email resume to:

City Clerk Silvia Gransee at: cityclerk@keycolonybeach.net Or call for additional information: 305-289-1212 ext. 117

The City of Key Colony Beach is an EEO employer, drug-free and nicotine-free workplace

NOW HIRING IN ISLAMORADA

MARINA CASHIERS

Must have customer service experience working in a retail environment and using a point of sale system. Additional duties include restocking, completing purchase orders, daily ordering of basic items in the store, and maintaining a clean appearance in the store. This is an hourly position and compensation is based on experience. Work hours are flexible and we try to maintain a set weekly schedule.

DOCKHANDS

Duties include customer service, helping customers with bait and ice and helping cashiers with restocking. Morning & a ernoon hours available.

Please respond by email (Ma at islamarinama @gmail.com) with any relevant previous experience and at least two references.

Coast Guard Exchange Miami is looking to fill a MWR Lodge Host position for our beautiful Marathon, Florida location.

The job has diverse duties caring for 4 cottages and our boat program. These include business management, grounds maintenance, customer service, and supervising the boating program.

Please visit INDEED or the CGX Careers page and search “Lodge Host 5661”. The MWR position is for Marathon, FL. $18-$23 an hour, full time.

LPS Contracting is looking for an EXPERIENCED WELDER proficient in both steel and aluminum.

The job is located in Marathon, FL. Pay will be based on years of experience. We are looking for someone to start as soon as possible. Inquire with Mike at 920-241-1933.

NOW HIRING

Career-minded individual that can run a crew and take direction in a fast-paced varied environment. Must have current VALID FL Driver’s License. We are willing to train a person with long term goals and will help with education.

Full time position, on-call at times. Partially paid health insurance after 90 days. Benefits also offered. Pay will depend on the interview process.

Send resume to: AM Electric, PO Box 510889, Key Colony Beach, FL 33051 E-mail: am.companies@gmail.com Call 305-743-0399

NOW HIRING

LEAD MARINE MECHANIC

Experienced to inspect, service & repair marine engines, boat steering & hydraulic systems. Ability to work at sea.

ADMIN/OFFICE HELP

Part-time. Must be able to multi-task, stay calm under pressure and have great communication skills.

Send resume to captpips@aol.com or come in the of ce to ll out application. 1480 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050

CAPTAIN PIP’S IS AN AWESOME PLACE TO WORK, WE TREAT OUR EMPLOYEES GREAT. COME JOIN OUR TEAM!

WE ARE HIRING!

HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER

MARC House has an opening for a Human Resources Manager. Must be well-versed in all areas of Human Resource Administration payroll, benefits, recruitment, onboarding, personnel file, employee relations, WC, FMLA. etc. Must be computer proficient (Access, Excel, Word, Adobe) and possess high level of interpersonal skills to handle sensitive and confidential situations. Position reports directly to Executive Director. Minimum age 18, level II DCF background clearance and strong command of English language. Experience is a must with a minimum of an Associate’s degree. Valid FL drivers license with a clean history is a plus.

Email resume and/or application to hr@marchouse.org Visit www.marchouse.org to download the application.

WE ARE HIRING!

IS HIRING

FULL TIME PROJECT MANAGER ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE RECEPTIONIST IN THE UPPER KEYS

Send resume to admin@cbtconstruction.com Or call 305-852-3002

EXPERIENCED ELECTRICIANS AND HELPERS NEEDED

Experience is required. Must have a valid driver’s license. We offer 401K, medical insurance, paid holidays and paid vacation. Positions available in Key West and Marathon. 305-292-3369

to start. Send resume to: turtlehospital@turtlehospital.org

Come join our family! EOE

CLIENT MEDICAL SERVICES ASSISTANT

Full-time to assist our clients with dental, medical and transportation appts. Act as liaison between clients, families and support staff. Requires some on-call responsibility. Min. requirement Florida certification as a Certified Nursing Assistant. Fluent in English required. Level 2 background screening and valid Florida drivers license.

Apply at the MARC office, 1401 Seminary St., Key West. Or online at www.marchouse.org. For more information, please contact hr@marchouse.org. Phone: 305-294-9526 *32

WE ARE HIRING!

Come join our family! EOE

SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT COACH (FT) – Key West

Responsible for development, implementation and documentation of supported employment strategies, interaction with co-workers, vocational rehab and supervision and any miscellaneous training and/or counseling that is needed for clients to acquire and maintain employment. Computer skills: moderate to advanced. Florida Driver’s license with clean driving record required. Pre-employment training online and in person required. Background screening and references required.

Apply at the MARC office, 1401 Seminary St., Key West. Or online at www.marchouse.org. For more information, please contact hr@marchouse.org. Phone: 305-294-9526 *32

WE ARE HIRING!

Come join our family! EOE

IN HOME SUPPORT (FT) – Key West

MARC, Inc. is seeking a full-time, split-shift, In-Home Support Coach/ Trainer to provide companionship and assist clients with training/support. HSD/GED & 1 yr. exp in a related field. 1 year of college can substitute for experience. Must be able to use a tablet for documentation purposes. The shift for this job is split shift 7-9 am then 3-9 pm. We can be flexible. English language, speaking and writing, proficiency is a must. FL driver’s license w/good driving record, references and background screening required. This is a rewarding position for the right person.

Apply at the MARC office, 1401 Seminary St., Key West. Or online at www.marchouse.org. For more information, please contact hr@marchouse.org. Phone: 305-294-9526 *32

Come join our family! EOE

DUI EVALUATOR/ INSTRUCTOR

The Advocate DUI Program is hiring for part time positions. DUI instructors and evaluators - 2 days a week, Bachelors or Masters degree in substance abuse eld required. Bilingual preferred, not required. Of ce located in Marathon. Contact Marcia at 305-704-0117.

SUNSET GRILLE IS HIRING

Moorings Village is seeking friendly, self motivated, team players for the position:

PHYSICIAN PRACTICE OPENINGS

- Medical Assistant, Orthopedics, PT

- Patient Access Associate, Orthopedics, $1,000 Bonus, FT

TAVERNIER MARINERS HOSPITAL

- Cook, Per Diem

- Exercise Physiologist, Per Diem

- Manager Wellness Center, FT

- Multi-Modality Imag Tech, $20,000 Bonus, FT & PT

- Nuclear Medicine Tech, Per Diem

- Pool Group Exercise Instructor

- Pool Yoga Instructor

- Registered Nurse, Emergency Department, $25,000 Bonus, FT

- Registered Nurse, Multispecialty Acute Care Center, $25,000 Bonus, FT

- Registered Nurse, Surgery, $15,000 Bonus, FT

MARATHON FISHERMEN’S

COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

- ED Team Coordinator, Emergency Room, Part Time

- ED/Acute Care Tech, Emergency, Room, FT & PT

- Environmental Tech, $5,000 Bonus, FT

- First Cook, $5,000 Bonus, FT

- Multi-Modality Imag Tech, Radiology, $20,000 Bonus, FT

- Mechanic, Facility Operations, FT

- Medical Technologist, Laboratory, $15,000 Bonus, FT, PT and Per Diem

- Patient Experience Advocate, FT

- Radiology Technologist, $15,000 Bonus, FT

- Security Of cer, Security/Safety, FT & Per Diem

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

*Sign-on bonuses are available only for select full-time positions based on candidate experience.

APPLY AND LEARN MORE careers.baptisthealth.net or call 786-243-8507

GCC offers excellent benefits for full-time employment, but we realize some would prefer part-time to enjoy the Florida Keys lifestyle more. All positions can be considered for full or part-time unless notated. Apply at westcare.com and enter your availability.

Peer Support Specialist Advocate (PT)

Behavioral Health Therapist (Adult)

Behavioral Health Counselor (Child) Case Manager (Adult, Forensic) Substance Abuse Counselor

MARATHON

Prevention Specialist (any location) Care Coordinator (PT)

Behavioral Health Therapist (Child)

RNs/LPNs - 3 shifts (PT/Per Diem)

Peer Support Specialist

*Support Worker – Assisted Living (PT)

*Behavioral Health Technicians 3 shifts (also Per Diem)

*No experience required for this position. Will train. A caring heart & helpful hands required.

IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY!

DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER is a fun, environmentally friendly non-profit 501(c)(3) Corporation specializing in education, research, and rescue of marine mammals.

We have openings in multiple departments. Please scan the QR code to visit the careers page on our website.

DRC seeks to provide for the well-being of its employees by offering a competitive total package.

DRC currently offers a 401k retirement plan, medical benefits, HSA account, paid holidays, vacation, sick and an employee assistance program. DRC also provides life and disability insurance at no cost to the employee.

COME JOIN THE FAMILY!

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

DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER

58901 O/S Hwy - Grassy Key, FL Teaching... Learning... Caring

The City of Key Colony Beach is accepting applications for a FULL-TIME Police Officer.

Applicants must posses a current Florida Certification as a police officer. Applicants will undergo a thorough background investigation, including drug screening, medical, polygraph and a psychological exam.

Salary: $60,000.

Full Health & Dental Insurance, 457 (b) Participation.

Email resume to: Chief of Police at: chief@keycolonybeach.net Or call for additional information: 305-289-1212 ext. 1

Preference in the selection of vacant positions will be given to eligible veterans and spouses of veterans. The Key Colony Beach Police Department is an EEO employer, drug-free and nicotine-free workplace.