Key West Weekly 24-0613

5450 MacDonald Ave. No.5

Key West, FL 33040

Office: 305.453.6928 www.keysweekly.com

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NUMBER OF THE WEEK

2,541

Two NHL teams vying for the Stanley Cup have a bit of traveling ahead of them. According to the NHL, the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers are 2,541 miles apart, making it the largest distance between teams in the Stanley Cup Final.

Father’s Day is Sunday, June 16, and the Keys Weekly salutes local dads with tributes from their wives and kids. Also, meet the men behind our editors. See pages 12-14.

(DON’T) SHOW ME THE MONEY

Injunction blocks detailed financial disclosure law for municipal elected officials

ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

Atemporary injunction granted by a federal judge means some mayors, elected officials and candidates in the November 2024 elections will avoid a public deep dive into their personal coffers – for now.

On June 11, Florida Southern District Court Judge Melissa Damian granted a temporary injunction to block enforcement of Senate Bill 774 due to its infringement on First Amendment rights of municipal leaders.

Signed in May 2023 by Gov. Ron DeSantis after passing through the Florida Legislature, and effective at the start of 2024, the bill required an expanded pool of elected city, town and village leaders to fill out the highly-detailed Form 6 financial disclosure document instead of the previously-required – and far less detailed – Form 1, used for decades by those same officials.

Form 6, already the standard for certain higher-level county and state offices as a product of Florida’s 1976 “Sunshine Amendment” to its Constitution, requires disclosure of a bevy of financial information including officials’ net worth, assets and liabilities of more than $1,000, values of possessions and household goods, and all sources of income over $1,000.

Form 1, on the other hand, only requires disclosure of major income sources – but not the exact amounts – of more than $2,500, along with property valued over $10,000 and liabilities over $10,000.

Until Monday, seated officials were required to complete Form 6 by July 1, prompting multiple Keys municipalities to enlist the help of outside consultants to simply complete the complex form correctly.

Staff analysis reports from multiple Florida Senate and House committees, Damian wrote, failed to

provide justification for the change or consider less burdensome options to achieve the underlying goal of SB 774.

“Neither (report) includes empirical data nor evidence suggesting that either committee investigated, studied, or solicited reports on the need for municipal elected officials to comply with the more comprehensive requirement of Form 6,” she said, eventually agreeing that the bill violates First Amendment rights by “impermissibly compel(ling) contentbased, non-commercial speech.”

After concerns in the Legislature over its potential to discourage citizens from running for local offices, roughly 125 municipal elected officials resigned across the state between the bill’s passage and when it took effect, Damian’s ruling said.

On Feb. 15, 2024, a group that now totals more than 170 elected officials sued the Florida Commission on Ethics over the new requirements, arguing the bill was not narrowly tailored enough to achieve the “compelling government interests” of protecting against conflicts of interest and deterring corruption.

Though the state has seen a “steady, upward trend” in the number of ethics complaints filed against municipal leaders, Damian wrote, the Commission on Ethics’ annual report and more failed to establish that the more detailed Form 6 disclosures will address the trend, or that the information is “necessary or relevant to the issue of (the trend).”

“The State enacted SB 774 without giving serious consideration to whether the government interests at stake could be addressed through less burdensome alternative means,” Damian concluded. “It is not apparent … that a change from the Form 1 requirement to the Form 6 requirement was necessary, nor that SB 774 is substantially related to the State’s identified interests.”

Jamie A. Cole, the plaintiffs’ lead

attorney, lauded the injunction in a June 11 statement. “Most municipal elected officials receive little to no compensation for their public service, yet they are being asked to disclose their precise net worth, income and assets,” he said. “This legislative overreach has already resulted in the mass resignation of about 125 municipal elected officials and, if allowed, would discourage many others from serving their communities.”

As of Monday, all five council members in Marathon had yet to file what mayor Robyn Still called a “heavy burden” in Form 6.

“I understand the need for transparency, and I understand the reason behind (the disclosures),” she said. “But we’re not doing this for a salary. We have other jobs and other commitments. So to come and ask (us) to fill this out as if it was our full-time job, I think that was an overreach. I did this because I wanted to serve the community, but this doesn’t pay my bills.”

Still said she believed Form 6 would “absolutely” discourage future candidates in local elections, adding that the detailed rundown of possessions could make officials an easier target for home burglaries along with ethics complaints stemming from honest mistakes in completing an onerous form.

The timing of Damian’s order comes at a critical juncture for Monroe County, which will close its qualifying period with a new landscape for candidates in municipal elections at noon on Friday, June 14. Required until Monday to file a Form 6 disclosure, candidates now need only a Form 1 instead.

A June 11 memo from the Florida Commission on Ethics confirmed that while current municipal leaders who have already filed Form 6 early may not “replace” the document with a Form 1, those who have yet to do so may now complete Form 1 by the July 1 deadline.

LEADERSHIP EXEMPLIFIED

School board chairwoman honored at state conference

Sue Woltanski, Monroe County School Board chairwoman, was named the 2024 recipient of the Florida School Boards Association President’s Award at the FSBA/FADSS annual summer conference in Tampa on June 6. Tina Certain, FSBA president, presented the award.

Each year, the president of the Florida School Boards Association identifies one person who exemplifies leadership in some way or another. The president can determine whom they want to give it to and for what reason.

Certain called Woltanski “a passionate advocate for public education.”

“I presented Sue with the President’s Award, not only as a symbol of our appreciation but also as a testament to her exemplary leadership and unwavering commitment to public education,” Certain said.

Woltanski served this year on the FSBA board of directors, as chair of the FSBA federal relations com-

Sue Woltanski, Monroe County school board chairwoman, receives the Florida School Boards Association President’s Award during a recent state conference in Tampa. Tina Certain, FSBA president, presented the award to Woltanski. CONTRIBUTED.

mittee and on the FSBA’s advocacy and long term planning committees. She also served as president of the Greater Florida Consortium of School Board Members.

The mission of the Florida School Boards Association is to increase student achievement through the development of effective school board leadership and advocacy for public education. — Contributed

VETERAN SERVICES AVAILABLE IN KEY LARGO

Veteran Centers provide a wide range of counseling services to veterans and are staffed with counselors and outreach staff, many of whom are veterans. They are experienced and prepared to discuss the stress of combat, sorrow, grief, transitioning to civilian life, and trauma, including military sexual trauma care.

Services are available at the Key Largo VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic, 105662 Overseas Highway, every Tuesday, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Virtual services are also available.

Intake, screenings and appointments must be scheduled in advance by calling 305-718-3712.

“Monroe County Veterans Affairs and the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners express our support for the VA Vet Center’s

AIRPORT HOSTS ‘TOPPING OFF’ CEREMONY FOR

NEW

CONCOURSE

County Mayor Holly Raschein calls expansion ‘a masterpiece’

Key West International Airport officials on June 5 marked a major milestone in the ongoing Concourse A project by hosting a “topping-off” ceremony with project managers, consultants and Monroe County commissioners.

The new Concourse A is due to open by 2025. The completion date for the overall project is set for spring 2026.

Strickland thanked design teams from McFarland Johnson and Mead & Hunt along with local contractors, construction workers and consultants.

Robert Spottswood Sr., executive chairman of Spottswood Companies Inc., spoke of the work performed by NV2A Gulf KeyStar, a joint venture, and touted the 280 jobs created by the project.

launch of in-person counseling services dedicated to our Veterans and their dependents throughout the Florida Keys,” said Cathy Crane, Monroe County director of veterans affairs. “Our collective goal is to establish a secure and confidential environment for them to receive the essential care and support they deserve.”

Veteran Centers, part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, were established in 1979 to counsel Vietnam-era veterans experiencing readjustment challenges. They are community-based and support qualifying active-duty, reserve and National Guard veterans and their families.

To learn more about Monroe County Veterans Affairs, visit www. monroecounty-fl.gov/va.

— Contributed

“This is an economic generator keeping our economy going,” said Monroe County Mayor Holly Raschein. “It is a big deal for the city of Key West, Monroe County and for all of those here today. This is a masterpiece and it is all coming together.”

The June 5 event was held to mark the completion of the steel work and roof. The next milestone will be the installation of the terminal’s glass curtainwall, set for completion by September.

The 48,802-square-foot concrete structure includes eight glass jet bridges, new concessions, expanded TSA lines, state-of-the-art baggage carousels and airline offices.

Also, the new concourse will remain above storm surge and flood elevation and is designed to withstand 200-mph winds.

“Years of planning have culminated in this moment, and this milestone wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of countless individuals,” said Richard Strickland, the county’s executive director of airports. “We are building on a legacy.”

“There were many challenges, but congratulations to everyone involved in this project,” he said. “I’d like to thank the airport’s design and consulting teams as well.”

EYW moves more people than ever

April was another record-breaking month for Key West International Airport, with a 10.9% bump in passengers, to date, compared to 2023, airport officials announced in mid-May.

So far, 591,696 passengers have passed through EYW this year – the airport’s most successful first quarter on record. In April alone, 137,004 passengers used the airport.

“We are always excited to see passengers flying into our airport to enjoy not just Key West, but the entire Florida Keys,” Strickland said in a statement.

EYW has direct service to 21 destinations among six airlines. A complete list is available at eyw.com/ airlines.

Left: Monroe County Commissioners David Rice and Michelle Lincoln, executive director of airports Richard Strickland, county Mayor Holly Raschein, and Monroe County Commissioner Jim Scholl at the Key West Airport on June 5. Right: A view of Key West International Airport’s new concourse, looking west. KATIE ATKINS/Contributed

A rendering of Key West International Airport’s new concourse, as seen looking south. CONTRIBUTED

MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

Key West’s annual Pride celebration always reminds me of the iconic scene in “The Wizard of Oz,” when Dorothy opens the drab door of her humble home to a world drenched in color and possibility.

Pride celebrations in Key West are not a black-and-white old movie, steeped in shades of gray, but rather a technicolor spectrum of rainbows, neon, sequins, glitter and tutus.

And this year was no different. Add in the 2024 disco theme, and you had the perfect soundtrack for a week of diversity, dancing, drinks and goodnatured debauchery.

The city’s Pride parade on June 9 capped off the five-day festival that also included film screenings, sunset sails, pool parties and drag performances. Once again, the parade featured a 100-foot section of the Sea-to-Sea Rainbow Flag that in 2003 stretched 1.25 miles down the length of Duval Street.

Key West Pride is one of the premier events presented by the Key West Business Guild and supported by local businesses and organizations.

Diversity & disco mark island’s annual LGBTQ celebration

KEY WEST WAS AWASH IN RAINBOWS DURING PRIDE

Once again, Key West’s Pride parade was a colorful spectacle of fun and acceptance on an island that specializes in both. The June 9 parade capped off a week of Pride festivities. LARRY BLACKBURN/Keys Weekly

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.

CELEBRATING IN BUSINESS

COME WORSHIP WITH US

‘‘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

DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

The Development Director is responsible for programmatic aspects of operations in 3 main categories: Community Outreach/Public Relations, Fundraising/Events and Media/Marketing. This Position will work in collabo-

ration with the agency’s administrative team and Board. The focus will be to raise awareness of the agency’s programs, activities and needs while inspiring donors to provide support to the organization directly or through fund raising events.

Madi Klas Biblik 7:30pm Minis Roberson Louissaint Cell 321.387.6821

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

‘‘My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother; Ffor they will be a graceful ornament on your head, and chains about your neck.’’ Proverbs 1:8-9 NKJV

mandy@keysweekly.com

HERE’S TO YOU, DAD

From oil changes and curfew enforcement to skinned knees and wedding aisles, dads are our rock. With Father’s Day on Sunday, June 16, the Keys Weekly spoke to several local fathers about some comical memories and the proud moments. Wives and kids also chimed in to offer what makes their dad the best in the world.

AL NELSON

(with sons Lyle and Gabe)

“My husband is an incredible dad. His unwavering support and love make him the rock our family relies on. He truly embodies everything it means to be a great father,” says wife, Lindsey.

ROBERT BARRIOS

“It’s true when they say, ‘like father like daughter.’ Thanks for being my best friend and for teaching me to work hard for the things I want. I love you!” says daughter Taylor.

LEE HOLT

“My amazing wife and I are both so proud of the kind, smart, funny, hard working and amazing young adults our kids have grown into. I think we are the proudest for how well they adapted to life in the Keys after moving here as teenagers. Kyle graduated with honors from Key West High School and is doing an amazing job so far at Florida Gulf Coast University. We are so proud of Claire with her rigorous school schedule of all AP and dual enrollment classes at KWHS.”

CLINTON CURRY (with daughter Parker)

“Clinton is a great dad because he has always wanted to do things with our daughter, Parker,” says wife Julie. “He started helping out at Friday night football games to be part of what she did on Fridays. He supports her hobbies and interests, always finding ways to be part of it all.”

BASCOM GROOMS (with daughters Kelci and Kassidy and wife, Beth)

“My dad is such an awesome dad because despite his busy life he has never had trouble making his children his top priority and paving our paths to success,” says daughter Kassidy.

TONY ROBERTS (with kids Rome and Ryze)

“Tony is a special dad because he is very present in every aspect of their lives and he has the biggest heart. Rome and Ryze are the luckiest kids around,” says wife Yanae.

“Every moment with (son, Archer) gives me the humblest pride and all the hilarity I can handle.”

JIM STREBECK (with son Saul)

“Sometimes, while I am watching you two learn how to be father and son, it fills me with so much love that it actually physically hurts,” says wife, Heather Slivko-Bathurst. “How a tiny person who has only been in our lives for 18 months could have such a massive impact is truly beyond me. Every bubble bath and every evening walk brings us one step closer to the day he’ll be able to play Warhammer with you. We love you.”

BILLY DAVIS (with two of his three daughters)

“Billy Davis is proud to be a girl dad,” says his wife Miki Yaras-Davis. He’s pictured here with two of his three daughters. Davis’s nonprofit A Positive Step of Monroe County has a fatherhood program designed to address skill building for dads aged 18 to 30 in the Keys.

“Here’s to the best father a woman can ask for her kids,” said wife Atavia Lopez-Dor. “Thank you for always being a rock and pillar for your kids — a motivation and an inspiration. Thank you for being the ‘strict parent’ when I couldn’t. Thank you for the love, above all, and for being there for the ‘DOR4.’”

ORR (with daughter Meredith)

In answer to the question of what makes her dad so special, daughter Meredith says, “He is kind, sweet and funny. He is a wonderful man. I love his personality, and the way he tells me about new things I have questions about.”

Thank you for all you do for our family. Your obvious, unconditional love for the girls is beautiful to witness and we love you so, so much.”

TALANDIEU DOR (with wife Atavia and children Stervens, TJ, Chrysla and Detra)

TREVOR

JEFF RODRIGUEZ (with wife Melanie and daughters Gabriella and Giulianna)

TRAVIS DOLL (with son Archer)

THE FATHERHOOD FILES THE FATHERHOOD FILES

Gwen Filosa on her dad, Nick

GWEN FILOSA gwen@keysweekly.com

My father is 89. Nicholas Alfred Filosa has led quite a life, a kid from Massachusetts who grew up to be a bank president. Today, he lives with my mom, his wife of 55 years, just outside Charleston, South Carolina.

In the 1980s, conservative commentator P.J. O’Rourke signed his book for my dad with, “To Nick, the only honest banker on God’s green Earth.”

It’s a fitting tribute.

Dad flew Eastern Airlines, back when you dressed for the plane –he wore a suit jacket – and minded your manners. He drank gin martinis, collected Tom Jones records. He golfed on occasion and was on a bowling team. Vacations were weekends with my mom to Las Vegas in the ’80s or taking us all to Cincinnati from our home, then in Indiana, to see the Reds.

My dad’s one of those people who lives by a simple profound code: Do what needs to be done. Nobody owes you a living. Invest for your future.

His life’s goal: Working nonstop so he could not only provide for his family — three sons and one daughter (his favorite) — but enable us to thrive.

The son of a factory supervisor and dress shop clerk sent me to Indiana University and didn’t say a word when I chose English literature as a major. My first job postcollege was as a bookstore clerk.

Today, I wonder if I would support an English major’s dreams. But I’m grateful he let me have a four-year university experience at IU. It’s what he worked for.

Born in Milford, Massachusetts, to a working-class family, my dad left home at 17 to join the Navy. He was on a U.S. destroyer during the Korean conflict. After four years as a sailor, he returned home and went to community college to study business.

His big break: landing a job at the illustrious W.T. Grant, or Grant’s – a booming chain of department stores with soaring profits based in Massachusetts, where he was senior finance officer. When the owners of Grant’s failed to change with the times,

the company declared bankruptcy. People like my dad were left with nothing.

Nick Filosa, however, doesn’t quit. He moved his family to where he could find work — Atlanta, then Tampa and finally Indiana, where he started as a bank loan officer. His financial acumen turned heads and when I was 15, the rival bank across the street recruited him. Soon after, he was named bank president.

Me: Why are you so good with finances? You have to study it. That’s part of the job. You have to keep up with the new trends. So I did a lot of reading.

Me: I’m not as good as you are at it. You wouldn’t listen.

Me: Were you excited to retire in the 1990s? I looked forward to it. Retiring is good if you have a plan and you’re not just going to sit down and fall asleep. We had a plan. We moved to a place we wanted to go to.

Me: What words of wisdom do you live by? Words of wisdom?

Me: Motivational quotes, like ‘never give up.’ That’s all bulls**t. That’s all bull. First thing I’ll tell you: cash is king. Save cash and invest it. Don’t waste it, like most young people do. I always try to give financial advice.

Me: You took us to see the Cincinnati Reds back in the day, when it was Dave Concepción, Joe Morgan, Johnny Bench. Should Pete Rose be in the Hall of Fame? Yes. He deserves it for his playing abilities.

Why did you have children? That’s what you get married for.

What’s the best part of being a father, having children? By raising children, you get to see something you could have been.

The world according to Bob

MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

Ilong ago reached the unsettling realization that everything my parents told me is generally correct, despite my best and repeated efforts to prove them wrong.

So on Father’s Day, my older brother Kevin, and I compiled a sampling of my dad’s favorite words of (ahem) “wisdom.”

Welcome to the world according to Bob.

Bob on work: “Never quit one job until you have the next one lined up.” Sure, we’ve all envisioned the perfect, dramatic exit that would have the most devastating impact on a soon-to-be-former employer. But the thrill of that departure won’t pay the rent.

Bob on teen drivers: “Just because the state of New Jersey decided you could drive well enough to have a license, doesn’t mean you’ve passed MY test.” Until Kevin and I could change a tire, check our oil and navigate the 9th Street traffic circle in Somers Point, N.J. at the entrance to our Shore town, we were considered unlicensed in dad’s view.

Speaking of that infamous traffic circle, which has since been replaced with a normal intersection and traffic light… “Stay to the outside, OUTSIDE, of the circle.” Dad imparted this knowledge when teaching us to drive — and while stiff-arming the dashboard, screaming and stomping his foot uselessly through the floor looking for the non-existent brake pedal on the passenger side.

Bob on drinking: “If you’re going to wallow with the pigs, ya gotta soar with the eagles.”

His hangover mantra was usually accompanied by him vacuuming our bedrooms at 8 a.m., then suggesting a breakfast of buttered bacon and anything else that would turn our stomachs.

Bob on romance: “There’s not enough o’s in the word smooth,” he says whenever pulling off some suave gift or surprise for my mom.

Bob on my wedding day: “Stan, you’ve got the football,” he said as he passed me off to my husband as if passing the suitcase that holds the nation’s nuclear codes.

Bob on shopping: “Buy the best; only cry once.” This was his justification for spending more than my mom had agreed to on a new TV or lawn mower that was supposed to last forever.

Bob on humanity: “When fat and ugly team up, stupid usually isn’t too far behind.” This is one of Stan’s favorite “Bobisms,” though I know my mom is cringing that I’ve put it in print.

Bob on family: “Where did you get the idea that this family is a democracy? It’s not. It’s a monarchy and I’m king. So, yes, as a matter of fact there are and always will be double standards for sons and daughters. Why? Because, boys have sex and girls have babies. That’s why.”

Bob on curfews: “Nothing good happens after 1 a.m.” This jury is still out on that one. While I fought him tooth and nail during unending curfew arguments, I eventually came to realize he’s probably, technically correct. But then, good and fun are not the same thing. So while a 3 a.m. adventure wouldn’t be considered good, it can sure as hell be fun.

Bob on fatherhood: “My two kids are the best things I’ve ever done. Whatever they choose, as long as they’re happy, then their mother and I are the happiest people in the world. That’s all that matters.”

Thanks, Dad (and Mom). I am happy, ridiculously happy, and indescribably grateful. Happy Father’s Day.

Nicholas Filosa in his Navy days. CONTRIBUTED

Mandy Miles and her dad, Bob Bolen, at the beach in Ocean City, New Jersey for the annual Fourth of July fireworks. KEVIN BOLEN/Contributed

GEORGE KOLER: WHAT I LEARNED

As told to Jason Koler

CONTRIBUTED

JASON KOLER jason@keysweekly.com

Born in northeast Ohio and raised in a large extended family, my dad passed along so much more than his affinity for Cleveland sports, charcoal grills and an unrelenting work ethic. A tireless provider, Dad would either be working or available for his kids and family – rarely taking time for himself or any hobbies. Now a grandpa, his support, love and words continue to help me.

Picking up a skilled trade while in the military served me my whole life. I knew it would help me, but I thought it would just help me get a degree. I never did go back to school, but I learned how to make a living.

My first job was at a service station and I was told by the owner I would never be a mechanic. By the time I left there I was rebuilding generators and doing tune-ups. Never let anyone tell you what you can’t do.

I learned whatever you are paid, you have to earn it. My first job out of high school was a laborer for a plumbing company. And my work didn’t end at the shop. When his yard needed mowing, I grabbed the lawn mower. When his car was dirty, I washed it. They fired me at the end of the summer because they wanted me to attend college.

The one thing college taught me was that college was not for me. Pick a car that matches your personality. If you like to go fast, don’t just drive fast – go fast everywhere you go.

SHELF HELP REEL RECS

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

What: “Girly Drinks: A World History of Women and Alcohol” by Mallory O’Meara

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

You can learn by watching. I watched my dad and uncles build their own homes and learned by asking them to let me swing a hammer, put mortar on a brick and run electric.

Leaving home is like going into the unknown. You will make mistakes as you gain experience. This is part of life. Don’t cry about it. Learn from it, fix it and move on.

To quote someone else, “Growing old is a fact of life. Growing up is optional.”

Watching my kids grow up taught me to enjoy the small things, like playing catch and going fishing. You don’t have to take an expensive vacation to Hawaii. Just enjoy the moment.

Watching my mom die from cancer when I was 18 taught me life is just not fair for everyone. Meaning her, not me.

When you have a family you have a responsibility and you push yourself to give your family everything that you can.

I learned to never stop learning. Helping my kids with their math made me worry about their future. I learned later there are a lot of ways to succeed at life without having to do calculus.

If you ever get a disoriented moose stuck in your garage (or carport) I know how you can safely remove him. Just ask Jason for my number.

Anyone who gives you a “one time offer” should be shown the door.

Why: “Girly Drinks” is a fun, feminist and informational account chronicling the immense impact women have had on society through the making and consuming of alcohol. From beer and ale, to whisk(e)y, to sake, to sorghum, this is an inclusive and culturally aware history. Learn how English ale wives inspired witches, with their tall pointed hats and large brooms; and how the champagne widows of France pioneered a beverage we love to toast! Full to the brim with riveting stories, you’ll savor every line. Grab a beverage and tuck in!

Where: You can get “Girly Drinks” as an e-book and a Book Club In A Bag from the Monroe County Public Library system.

How: You can request books online by logging in to your account at keyslibraries.org and get e-books and e-audiobooks 24/7 at estuff. 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: Riona Campbell, library associate, Key West library

See previous recommendations at keyslibraries.org/shelf-help.

What: “Knox Goes Away” (R) Why: Though it met with mixed reviews when it was released theatrically earlier this year, “Knox Goes Away” is a sharp character study amid a pulpy film noir with a decidedly convoluted plot that is very much worth seeing. The film’s primary strength is a first-rate Michael Keaton performance that’s on the same tier as his turns in “The Founder,” “Birdman” and “Spotlight.” He’s mesmerizing — cold and calculating but devolving into dementia and suddenly wholly vulnerable. I know that a film about a hitman developing dementia seems gimmicky and easily dismissed, but it’s a dark comedy with a genuinely great feat of acting by one of the most accomplished actors around. Where: You can get this film from the Monroe County Public Library in DVD or Blu-Ray format. 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: Michael Nelson, acting director of libraries.

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

George (left) and Jason Koler.

6810 FRONT STREET | STOCK ISLAND

5620 MACDONALD AVENUE | KEY WEST

CONCH PRIDE IS A FAMILY TRADITION

Parker Curry quotes her great-grandmother in salutatorian speech

ZACK WOLTANSKI

www.keysweekly.com

Nearly a century ago, Key West native Parker Curry’s great-grandmother ended her high school career at the graduation ceremony for Key West High School’s Class of 1928. On May 24, Parker graduated from the same school with the Class of 2024. Speaking as the class salutatorian within an exceptionally competitive class, she quoted her great-grandmother in her speech.

Keys Weekly’s Zack Woltanski interviewed Parker about the end of high school and the beginning of her future.

Where will you be attending college? Vanderbilt University.

Do you know what you will study? I will be majoring in physics. Ever since I was little, I have loved looking up at the stars and I want to study physics to gain a deeper understanding of the night sky. In college, I really want to learn more about black holes. Also, in my physics class last year (after the AP exam), we spent a couple days investigating which parts of Marvel movies are scientifically accurate, and that made me more excited to apply science to real life.

What’s your fondest memory of high school? I’m lucky to have been a part of many groups at Key West High School, but my fondest memories are definitely from band. One memory that sticks out is when a football game last year was stopped in the second quarter because of lightning. Our band’s upper leadership went into the band director’s office, where he made us all coffee. While waiting out the storm, we discussed what we thought the band would look like after we graduated. I think that was one of my best run-throughs of the show (probably thanks to the espresso).

How would you characterize your high school? I would characterize Key West High School as supportive. No matter how rough a day I was having — like when five different AP teachers somehow scheduled a test the same day — there were always people who could sympathize. I found mock trial to be super supportive. Our teacher sponsor, Mrs. Mercer, always encour-

Parker Curry addresses her fellow classmates during her salutatorian speech at Key West High School’s graduation last month. Curry will attend Vanderbilt University in Tennessee in the fall. LARRY BLACKBURN/Keys Weekly

aged us at our evening practices and helped me pull myself out of a rough day more than once with her little “encourage-mint” candies. My friends on the team were a source of inspiration as they too did their best to juggle academics and extracurriculars.

What difficulties and challenges have you faced over the past four years? One of my biggest challenges in high school was managing my time. I was an active member in multiple service clubs, as well as band, mock trial and golf, which were in addition to my academic rigor and college applications. Finding time to complete everything was a challenge.

How did you work through it? I would make little note card lists of what I wanted and needed to get done, especially on weekends. I liked being able to check off assignments, and it helped make everything seem more manageable when it all fit on one note card.

To whom do you attribute your success (besides yourself)? I attribute a lot of my success to my family, especially my parents. They always encouraged me to pursue the classes I wanted to take and always listened to my incessant 11:30 p.m. complaints about whatever subject was bothering me that day. My friends also helped a lot, as most of them were in similarly difficult time management situations. We all helped each other and forced ourselves to study on bus rides to and from competitions.

How have you changed over the past few years? I think I’ve become more confident. I entered

high school scared of public speaking. I attribute a lot of my confidence growth to mock trial, where my coaches and teammates helped me improve. As a junior and senior, I took on the role of closing defense attorney. I’d write a closing argument based on the facts, and give a five-minute closing argument in front of the judge and jury. This confidence boost helped me improve in my other classes and as an officer in service clubs and band.

What will you miss most about your high school experience? While there are some aspects I won’t miss, like the 7:30 a.m. start time, I will miss little things like bus rides back from games and competitions. Holding up flashlights with friends and balancing textbooks for homework we’d put off until the last minute was always funny and it built friendships. I’ll also miss section traditions from band, like the high brass shark bait chant that we would do before we took the field for any show.

What message would you want to give incoming students? I encourage every incoming student to take the challenging course, try out for the sport or pick up a new instrument. You only get better and discover passions if you seek out new things. For me, I tried multiple new activities in high school, like joining the golf team, as well as switching from alto saxophone to French horn as a sophomore. This fostered perseverance as I took on these new activities, which helped me in my studies. I also gained new friends I never would have made otherwise.

MURDER CHARGES FILED IN COLD CASE

DNA evidence points to then-15-year-old Keith Devon White, investigators say

ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

A31-year-old Marathon man has been arrested and charged with a previouslyunsolved murder from 2008, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release on June 5.

Keith Devon White stands accused of killing 48-year-old Beth Neumeier when he was just 15 years old.

Following an extensive investigation in partnership with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Office of the State Attorney, Sheriff Rick Ramsay told the Weekly the suspect’s DNA was found on both a used condom and the shovel they believe was used to beat Neumeier to death.

Neumeier was known to have worked as a prostitute in Marathon before her death, the sheriff’s office said. Her body was found on May 4, 2008 buried underneath a mulch pile in a vacant lot on 24th Street in Marathon. She was identifiable only by fingerprints due to damage to her face.

“I hope this brings some closure for the people who knew her and appreciated her as a person,” Ramsay told the Weekly. “(White) was someone we looked at as a person of interest way back then, and that never changed. In the last few years, we’ve closed three or four long-term cold cases that were solved either due to new technologies or constantly working on these cases.”

White has an extensive arrest record in Monroe County, including a 2011 armed robbery charge and felony charges filed in January 2024 for lewd and lascivious behavior with a corrections facility employee present while he was already serving time for driving without a license.

White is currently being held in the county jail without bond. His arraignment date and legal representation were not immediately available.

Keith Devon White. MCSO/Contributed

TART, TASTY & TONS OF FUN

Key West’s Key Lime Festival puckers up July 3-7

From pie-eating contests and cocktail competitions, to culinary experiences and a 5K run, the annual Key Lime Festival celebrates the Keys’ favorite citrus fruit July 3-7. CONTRIBUTED

Fans of sweet and tart Key lime pie can salute the Florida Keys’ signature dessert and the tiny fruit that inspired it Wednesday through Sunday, July 3-7, during the annual Key Lime Festival. Events include a Key lime pie-eating contest, “limey” dining delights, a wacky Key lime pie drop, pie-making classes and culinary and cocktail tastings.

Believed to have originated in Key West in the late 1800s, Key lime pie was designated Florida’s official pie in 2006 by the state legislature. Its primary ingredients are condensed milk, egg yolks and the juice of the tiny yellow Key lime, with the creamy filling typically nestled in a graham cracker crust and topped with whipped cream or meringue.

The Key Lime Festival’s official kickoff is set for Wednesday, July 3, at 5 p.m., featuring author and festival co-founder David Sloan, who wrote “The Key West Key Lime Pie Cookbook.” The event is scheduled at the Curry Mansion, 511 Caroline St., whose kitchen is renowned as the pie’s birthplace.

The World Famous Key Lime Pie Eating Championship is set for Thursday, July 4, outside the Southernmost Beach Café, 1405 Duval St. Entrants must attempt to devour an entire 9-inch pie, topped with mountains of whipped cream, in the fastest time – without using their hands.

The free-to-watch beachfront competition is paired with

BUILDING A NEW BIRD HOUSE

Key West Wildlife Center breaks ground on new avian clinic building

family-friendly games and a Key Lime Vendor Village featuring lime-inspired wares ranging from local art and jewelry to beauty products. Doors open at 11 a.m. and the contest takes place at 1:30 p.m.

Friday’s highlights include the Key Lime Sip & Stroll cocktail sampling, a Key Lime Bike Tour, a tasting of locally distilled Key lime rum – and even a fundraising bash where local notables just might get a pie in the face.

The quirky Key Lime Pie Drop headlines Saturday’s events. Scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the competition challenges entrants to craft contraptions to hold and protect miniature pies – and then drop their creations from atop the Key West Lighthouse, 938 Whitehead St., without damaging the pie. While few pies land unscathed each year, the free-admission contest typically draws hundreds of spectators to watch the fun.

Other scheduled attractions include a Key lime tree cultivation master class, 5k run, daily lime-infused culinary experiences, a pool party, a historical presentation on Key limes and the pie they inspired, a “Hot Wheels” race and the annual Key Lime Pie Hop. The latter, offered multiple times Sunday, July 7, takes foodies on a stroll to sample five variations of the famed dessert.

More information and a full schedule are at keylimefestival. com.

On June 4, Key West Wildlife Center (KWWC) staff, board members, local dignitaries and donors broke ground on the center’s long-awaited new wildlife rescue and rehabilitation clinic building. The elevated, hurricane-hardened modular structure will replace the center’s old and badly decaying building, situated within the 7-acre Indigenous Park at the end of White Street near Higgs Beach.

For more than 25 years the KWWC has provided 24-hour emergency rescue services for wildlife in Key West and the Lower Keys.

Many Key West residents, at some point, have come upon an injured bird, one that can’t fly away. One that lets people get uncommonly close. One with a bum wing, or leg. Or one that’s too exhausted to move. We typically watch the bird for a bit, practically willing it to take flight and assuage our concerns. Perhaps we walk away for a few moments and then go back to check on it. When it’s still there upon our return, we pull out our phone and call for backup — from the KWWC, a nonprofit wildlife rescue organization that rehabilitates birds to release them back into their natural surroundings — while making us feel good about ourselves for making a call to help a creature in need.

A human always answers the phone at KWWC — 24/7. They’ll listen with a practiced ear to our decidedly non-expert descriptions of the bird and its plight and then take action to help, prepared to dispatch a rescue team at a moment’s notice to help pelicans, pigeons, egrets, herons, roosters, hawks, mockingbirds, you name it.

Its present clinic building, which serves as the hub and ICU for wildlife care, is an early-version manufactured unit, which according to board president Jennifer Lopes, has significant roof deterioration and other structural issues, along with mechanical systems that over time have become largely inoperable.

A metal bird sculpture tracks the progress of the Key West Wildlife Center’s capital campaign, which has nearly reached its fundraising goal of $2.4 million.

“Our new building, which will serve as both a clinic and visitor welcome center, has been designed for our area’s unique climate conditions and will be elevated to meet all newly established FEMA flood levels,” said Lopes. “It will offer a better equipped dedicated treatment area for our patients, with 25% more interior space for patient care, and 40% more exterior space for rehabilitation, along with ample protected space for education and outreach.”

The new clinic building is one of two projects being funded by KWWC’s “Raising the Roof … Building Our Future” capital campaign. The other is renovation of the center’s recuperation/reconditioning aviary. The capital campaign began in 2021 and now, thanks to a recently awarded 1-to-1 matching grant, is close to meeting its $2.4 million goal.

The center also works closely with other local and regional rescue groups to provide rehabilitation for non-avian species. According to Tom Sweets, KWWC executive director, some 1,500 native wildlife patients were rescued in 2023 alone.

Located at 1801 White St., KWWC is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends, and variable hours during the week at present, due to the construction. It is recommended to call in advance on weekdays to confirm open hours. Those interested in supporting the “Raising the Roof … Building Our Future” campaign and/or volunteering at the center can call 305-292-1008. More information is at keywestwildlifecenter.org.

City officials, wildlife advocates, contractors, corporate donors and supporters break ground June 4 on the Key West Wildlife Center’s new clinic building at Indigenous Park, at the foot of White Street. MICHAEL BLADES/Contributed

COUNTRY STAR BILLY CURRINGTON CONNECTS WITH KEY WEST

‘I’m From Key West’ artists Mike Stack & D-Lew start the show

Billy Currington gets it. Key West clicks with the country star — and the feeling is mutual.

Lightning delayed the start of the June 7 show at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater, but the show was worth the wait, said fans who had set up camp while waiting in line for the weather to pass.

The show featured Currington’s No. 1 hit from 2010, “That’s What Country Boys Do.”

The video for the song was shot in Key West, where the film

“What a great Key West night,” one concertgoer said. “You can tell Billy Currington likes it here, and Key West isn’t just a tour stop in some random city. I love that.” MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

crew captured Currington, his bandmates and buddies on a beach, a sportfishing boat and in a downtown bar.

Currington’s other crowd favorites included “People Are Crazy,” “Good Directions” and more than a dozen others.

He invited Key West hip hop artists Mike Stack and D-Lew, whose song, “I’m From Key West,” is the island’s latest anthem, to open for him.

Country star Billy Currington performs in Key West on June 7 at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater. LARRY BLACKBURN/Keys Weekly

Key West hip hop artists Mike Stack, left, and D-Lew open the Billy Currington show with their island anthem, ‘I’m From Key West.’

Friday July 12th 5pm - 8pm Saturday July 13th 9am - 3pm

Sunday July 14th 11am at Sunday Worship 5pm the children will take part in our Christmas concert followed by an optional Christmas dinner

Children ages PK - 5th grade are invited to join us for a weekend of Bible learning and fun! Experience Bethlehem the night Jesus was born and learn how a tiny baby changed the world! Crafts, games, snacks (lunch on Saturday), music, Bible fun and much more!

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... 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.

Asmall flock of magnificent frigatebirds chasing each other just above the power lines next to the Key West Golf Course was the first species of the trip. Juveniles, I think, though there might have been an adult female or two in the group. The second, or the second species I managed to notice, was a white-crowned pigeon flying over the overpass near Naval Air Station Boca Chica. It was a good start. There were big puffy clouds in the sky and it didn’t look like there was much chance for rain.

I love the Keys with all my heart, but summer? Summer is a good time to get out for a spell.

To quote Peter Cetera, one of the poets laureate of the late yacht rock era, everybody needs a little time away. So when I had a lastminute road trip offer to get Mike Marrero’s minivan up to Arkansas, I jumped on it.

The mission on the first day was just to get the H-E-double-hockey-sticks out of the state of Florida. We’re both photographers, among other things, and we wanted to take a few days to travel through Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Arkansas, mostly taking back roads to places neither of us had been. But Florida? Both of us had taken a lot of pictures of and in Florida.

But even if you’re hell bent on something, you can still keep an eye out for birds and enjoy nature’s wonders. It doesn’t matter if you’re moving at 70 miles per hour.

I’d actually set a little goal for myself – see 50 bird species while driving out of the state, though I wasn’t sure how realistic a goal that was. I would probably cross paths with at least 50 species, but it was a question of how much attention you can pay while driving. Even during passenger shifts, there were text messages and navigation duties and playlists to shuffle through, not to mention the tendency to just space out and give into the meditative state that comes about during long stretches of highway.

The third bird I saw was a red-winged blackbird flying toward a set of date palms on Sugarloaf. The fourth was a double-crested cormorant swimming off a boat ramp in the Saddle Bunches. Except I don’t think there are any boat ramps in the Saddle Bunches. The thing about high-speed birding? You can’t pause to clarify things. So there probably wasn’t a boat ramp. There was definitely a cormorant, though.

THE ROADS MORE TRAVELED

I noticed a mourning dove in a snag on Summerland Key, then a (an?) Eurasian collared-dove on a wire above the Tom Thumb on Big Pine.

We passed the nesting platforms the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service built on upper Big Pine for least terns, but no luck.

At some point I noticed I wasn’t seeing any rock pigeons (a.k.a. your basic park pigeons). Which was weird. They nest under the bridges and usually are seen sitting in big groups on the wires next to the bridges, but there were none so far on this ride.

White ibis flapping fast over the gatehouse at Bahia Honda. A white, mid-sized egret flew lazily over the pond at Ohio Key, and when I caught sight of the yellow feet I knew it was a snowy egret.

A ratty-looking turkey vulture, missing a couple primaries, rocked on the thermals over Grassy Key. We don’t have many TVs in the Keys during the summer, so it’s possible the bird was just midway through its annual molt, but it’s hard to say for sure.

A red-bellied woodpecker shot over the highway in Tavernier.

We took Card Sound Road, hoping for a roseate spoonbill in one of the salt ponds, but they were empty. On the railing of the Card Sound Bridge, though, the same railing Skink tied himself to in order to experience the full brunt of a hurricane in Carl Hiaasen’s “Stormy Weather,” an osprey sat thinking osprey thoughts.

We slipped out of Monroe County and the Keys without really noticing it.

We stopped at the Race Trac in Homestead, where the trees were filled with boat-tailed grackles making a racket with weird unwinding calls. I scanned the pavement for common mynas but didn’t see any.

We took Krome Avenue to avoid the chaos of Miami traffic, and passed the Miccosukee bingo palace. In the zone between there and

the start of U.S. 27 we saw a black vulture sitting on a light pole. In the grassy median at the start of 27 there was a small flock of cattle egrets. On the transmission towers that look like giant robot skeletons along 27, the first anhinga, wings out, was taking in the sun.

Mike told me he saw a crow somewhere south of Belle Glade, but I told him that didn’t count. I had to see it. I saw one a couple miles later.

We followed the eastern edge of Lake Okeechobee. South of Pahokee we saw another big group of cattle egrets in a patch of literal scorched earth in a farm field, but among them were a half-dozen great egrets.

Just south of Okeechobee – the town, not the lake – a crested caracara was getting mobbed in mid-air by a group of red-winged blackbirds.

We flew under a pair of glossy ibis in – I don’t know, some place with a lot of cows? Further along U.S. 441 a swallow-tailed kite, one of the world’s most elegant fliers, drifted and flew in slow loops over a copse of dark trees.

The sun was starting to drop, but I caught sight of a great blue heron standing stock-still next to a creek, and a few miles later, on the grassy shoulder, just before the on-ramp to the Florida Turnpike, a small gaggle of wild turkeys.

We got up to speed with the rest of the traffic and cleared the Orlando sprawl, heading toward the Georgia border. In the last of the light over the Florida Turnpike, a hawk I couldn’t identify.

Twenty-one species, if you don’t count the hawk. And we’d only made it to Gainesville that day. But the next morning, in the last bit of Florida, a sandhill crane in the fields and a wood stork flying over the road. It wasn’t 50 species, but there was a lot more driving to come.

A magnificent frigatebird, the first bird seen on a very long car ride. MARK HEDDEN/Keys

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MONEY TALKS SO SHOP LOCAL

As residents of this tiny island, we all eventually come to realize we can’t always get what we want. Or even, sometimes, what we need — at least not without waiting a few days for an online delivery.

SUZANNE FAGAN

CHANGE

But for the past few years, Key West musicians have had the luxury of two music stores in town – one, The Grateful Guitar, right off Duval, and the other, Island Guitar, in New Town’s Key Plaza. The stores each had a knack for stocking what the other didn’t, so between the two, we had options, and more importantly, the opportunity to try before we’d buy, which is invaluable when buying and selling musical instruments and gear.

Following the demise of that old favorite, Radio Shack, the two music stores served us well as musicians. We had a good chance of finding an oddball cable, that “I haven’t seen one of these in years” adapter, or a bit of expert “how can I keep this guitar alive?” advice.

Sadly, we’ve recently learned that The Grateful Guitar will be closing at the end of the month. As anyone in the industry knows, Kim Walsh invested so much of herself in that store and in Key West’s local music scene. Thank you, Kim.

And while we are indeed fortunate to have another music store in town, The Grateful Guitar’s impending closure raises the important issue of locally owned — and locally supported — businesses. As residents, do we understand the impact of our spending? Countless local businesses depend almost exclusively on local customers — music stores, hardware stores, toy stores, air-conditioner parts suppliers, the list goes on. These places provide items we need to live and work here, so our choices matter when it comes to shopping.

I’m certainly not saying this is the reason for the demise of The Grateful Guitar, but perhaps the closing is a reflection of how we spend our money. Or of how we could spend our money.

As a small community with a lot of visitors we do have some power economically. We can choose to spend our money locally when possible. Of course, everyone’s financial situation is different. Some people need the discounted price that online ordering can offer. But some of us have a little wiggle room, and spending a few extra dollars locally on something I could have gotten online for less makes little difference to me, but can make a huge difference to a local business.

And in a world where it feels like we can do little to change things, a little difference is what I can do.

... a professional musician, singer, actor and executive director of the Key West Music Awards, is known to sacrifice his comfort for that of his cat.

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The Rotary Club of Key West thanks the City and staff for your ongoing efforts and support to present “A Star Spangled Celebration” 4th of July Firework Event in Key West.

Your dedication to our residents and visitors continues to make our island community the greatest on the globe! "

ABOVE SELF SINCE 1916 www.keywestrotary.com All proceeds benefit local Scholarship Programs

CAROL TEDESCO www.keysweekly.com

KIDS NEED DADS

Free program helps men figure out fatherhood

Billy Davis, well known in the Florida Keys as the child and family advocate with the booming voice and seemingly endless reservoir of energy and heart, moved from Washington, D.C., to Key West in 1996 to run a drug and alcohol treatment program. But understanding very well that so many self-destructive behaviors begin in childhood, after just three years living and working in the community, Davis launched A Positive Step of Monroe County, a non-profit organization with a mission to serve Monroe County’s highest-risk kids and their families.

With Davis as executive director, APSMC initially and predominantly focused on youth advocacy. But because a significant percentage of the young people the group serves come from homes with absentee dads, the organization in 2019 launched a new program, the “Southernmost Fatherhood Initiative,” a free, evidence-based program designed to provide supportive training for dads, including those who were incarcerated, to develop new skills in parent, co-parent and child relationships.

José Linares is a local business owner, who with his wife Karla Campos, has a blended family with five children: Diana, 27; Blake, 19; Kaylee, 11; Valeria, 11; and Nathan, 3. Linares learned of the “Southernmost Fatherhood Initiative” through Wesley House Family Services and signed up in 2019.

“I was having problems with the kids, in particular my son Blake,” Linares said. “The program was my path back to them. It taught me a lot about communicating and how to relate to them as children, and not as another adult. I learned that the way I used to speak to Blake was wrong and would never result in positive outcomes. I learned how to talk, and more importantly, how to listen to him, and our relationship got much better. I completed the program before the pandemic, and I believe it helped keep our family together during that incredibly stressful time.

“Today, two of the kids live with me and Karla. Two live with their mom, but spend a lot of time with us at our home on Big Coppitt Key, and my oldest daughter is married and also lives in the Keys. My son Blake now has his own pool maintenance business that I helped him launch. The Fatherhood Initiative taught me a lot about patience, how to better understand and get more involved with my kids. My business, Key West Global Shipping Plus, keeps me busy, but we make time as a family and on Sundays we go out on the boat and fish. Then I cook. Karla is the best cook in the family, but she owns and runs Karlita’s Café at mile marker 10, so Sundays are her break from the kitchen.”

“The most important ‘job’ a person with children has is parenting, but many take on the role without understanding what good, positive parenting actually looks like,” Davis said, ticking off some of the program’s takeaways:

• Improved communication with both the children and their mother.

• Recognition of a heated conversation that will benefit from a timeout to revisit the issue.

• Acknowledging each child’s differences and understanding that parenting isn’t onesize-fits-all.

• Understanding one’s own limitations as a dad.

“I’m really grateful to Billy Davis and the Southernmost Fatherhood Initiative for the relationships I now have with my kids, and would definitely recommend it for other dads,” Linares said.

The Southernmost Fatherhood Initiative is open to dads, stepdads and grandfathers with children under the age of 18, and is supported by the Monroe County Human Services Advisory Board, the Truist Foundation, the Batchelor Foundation, and private donors. It also offers support in the form of introduction to 12-step programs if needed, GED referrals, OSHA training, job coaching, construction job referrals and case management.

More information is available from Davis at 305-304-1969, apsmccrp@aol.com or APSMC. org.

1. José Linares, left, who participated in the Southernmost Fatherhood Initiative in 2019, with wife Karla Campos and son Nathan, 3. CONTRIBUTED

2. Billy Davis, founder and Executive Director of A Positive Step of Monroe County enjoys a light moment with APSMC volunteers at a past Southernmost Fatherhood Initiative picnic.

3. José Linares’ blended family includes, clockwise from lower left, Valeria, 11; wife Karla holding son Nathan, 3; Karla’s father Mario Campos; Kaylee, 11; and Blake, 19.

TRACY McDONALD www.keysweekly.com

MEET THE 2024 ALL-KEYS GIRLS SOFTBALL TEAM

Fins find their stride as ’Canes and Conchs battle injuries

The 2024 spring softball season featured just one team with a winning record, as the Marathon Lady Fins went 12-6 in FHSAA 2A action. Their wins included a district quarterfinal victory, and though they did not make it out of districts with a title, they earned an at-large bid to regionals. Marathon returns all but one athlete next season, but the spot left vacant on the bench will be that of their dominant starting pitcher, Allison Garcia.

Key West entered the season as the reigning FHSAA 4A Region 4 champs and returned with plenty of talent this season. However, critical injuries plagued the Conchs, and their hopes for a third trip to the final four in as many years would not come to fruition. Key West finished the season 6-15, but it was not without highlights and glimmers of greatness to come.

Coral Shores played just five games this season, losing them all via mercy rule or forfeits. The young team did its best to rebuild but scrambled for eligible players when midseason injuries wiped out the bench.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

SCARLET NILES |

SENIOR, KEY WEST | CENTER FIELD

Key West’s Scarlet Niles embraced her leadership role this season, showing the way to the underclassmen with poise, positivity and, chiefly, her bat. The slugging senior amassed 21 hits for the Conchs, 6 of which were home runs. Batting .344, her on-base percentage was .488 and the home runs and a pair of doubles set her slugging percentage at .721. Once on base, she proved deadly to opposing defenses, stealing 7 bases and scoring 16 times. As if that were not enough, the Dartmouth University-bound athlete earned an impressive .965 fielding percentage.

ALLISON

Senior, Marathon Pitcher

The Lady Fins’ lone senior was the go-to pitcher for Marathon, earning an impressive 11-4 record with a 2.07 ERA and 111 strikeouts this season. Offensively, the Fins’ captain averaged .432 at the plate with 10 doubles and 16 RBI for a stellar senior campaign.

Senior, Key West Shortstop

With her impressive stats, one would never know Alexandra Rodriguez had stepped into a new role this season. Playing shortstop due to team injuries, she had a fielding percentage of .847. Offensively, Rodriguez batted .267, had a .345 on-base percentage and used her speed to steal 7 bases for the Conchs.

GARCIA

ALEXANDRA RODRIGUEZ

ELENA EUBANK

Junior, Marathon Infielder

Junior Elena Eubank led the Lady Fins in multiple offensive categories. Eubank batted .451 this season and collected 23 hits, which included 7 doubles and a pair of triples. She stole 13 bases, crossed the plate 19 times, and batted another 19 runs in for Marathon this season.

BREANNA BREENER

Freshman, Key West Pitcher

As just a freshman, Breanna Breener shouldered the responsibility of pitching like a much older athlete. In her first year with the Lady Conchs, Breener brought home 3 wins and struck out 64 batters while compiling a 2.90 ERA for Key West. Her poise and athleticism give the Conchs’ future a lot of promise for the next three seasons.

Marathon’s catcher proved to be a threat on both sides of the plate, batting .400 on the season with 11 RBIs, 3 doubles, a pair of triples and a home run. Defensively, Thornton was a wall of athleticism. Her accomplishments are even more impressive given Thornton was just a freshman.

SHYLO SANCHEZ

Sophomore, Key West Catcher

With two more seasons of eligibility left, Shylo Sanchez has everything it takes to dominate for the Conchs in the coming years. At catcher, Sanchez had a .932 fielding percentage, amassing 96 putouts at the plate. Offensively, she batted .211, boasted a pair of doubles and batted in 5 runs for Key West.

Junior, Key West Outfielder

In her junior season, Alexa Condella earned a .321 batting average for the Conchs. She amassed 3 doubles, a pair of triples and drove in 11 runs, and her hitting got stronger as the season went on, making for an exciting senior campaign for the seasoned outfielder.

Freshman, Marathon Infielder

Marathon’s Sara Robinson proved to be a versatile player this season, spending time all across the infield and even filling in at pitcher when the Fins found themselves in a jam. Robinson batted .415, stole 11 bases, drove in 12 runs and amassed 22 hits. Three of those hits were doubles and three more were triples, making it even more amazing that she is just a freshman.

TAVYN GAGE

Junior, Key West Infielder

Key West’s Tavyn Gage made the switch from first to third base this season and did not miss a beat. The versatile junior had an impressive .904 fielding percentage, proving she was adept at any base. The hard-hitting junior had a .310 batting average, including four doubles this season. She also boasted a .355 onbase percentage, 5 RBIs and 2 stolen bases.

ALEXA CONDELLA

SARA ROBINSON

MADELYN THORNTON Freshman, Marathon Catcher

Photos by Barry Gaukel and Maicey Malgrat

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 waiting for a home and see them all at fkspca.org.

Meet Kane, a 10-year-old pit bull mix with a heart of gold. He’s part of our Golden Paw project, so his adoption fee is waived. Kane is sweet, lovable and adored by all. Give Kane the forever home he deserves.

Meet Boone, the 5-year-old black cat who’s been our resident ninja since 2018. Shy and timid, she might not throw ninja stars, but she’ll stealthily steal your heart. Boone loves other cats and is ready for her forever dojo.

Candy Star is our 2-year-old diva who’s as unpredictable as a cat meme. One minute she’s all about the snuggles, the next she’s ghosting you for no reason. If you love a good mystery, Candy Star is your girl.

Jasmine is our 3-year-old bearded dragon who thinks she’s a tiny dinosaur. Whether she’s basking in the sun or striking a pose, Jasmine is the queen of chill.

Meet Willie, the 9-year-old feline, also known as ‘The Godfather.’ This sophisticated mister commands respect and adoration with every purr. Adopt Willie and add a touch of class to your life.

HELP KEEP KEY WEST CLEAN

JOIN A 1- HOUR CLEANUP FRIDAY MORNINGS

gallons of cigarette butts. Thank you for your continued support to Keep Key West Beautiful. 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 305-8093782 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.

June 14: S. Roosevelt at Deadman’s Curve. Meet by the last parking spot before the big curve by the Doubletree Grand Key Resort.

June 21: Casa Marina area at Seminole & Alberta streets. Meet at the John & Marv Spottswood Waterfront Park. Hosted by the Casa Marina Resort.

June 28: Lazy Way and the Key West Bight. Meet next to the Wyland Wall at the end of William Street. Hosted by Schooner Wharf Bar.

Ploggers meet June 7 at the Helling Curry House, home of the Key West Woman’s Club, for a cleanup in the surrounding Duval Street neighborhood. In one hour, 32 volunteers picked up 73 pounds of trash, 25 pounds of recycling and 3.5

This home is being sold almost 200k under appraised value.

Multi million dollar neighborhood on a massive corner lot.

This spacious 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom ranch-style home offers approximately 2000 square feet of living, 2010 square feet of porches, patios and parking for 2 cars. The home sits on a massive 6545 square foot oversized corner lot, surrounded by renovated multimillion-dollar homes. The home features a large family room, dining room, and entertainment room. Providing ample space for both relaxation and entertaining. Over-sized windows throughout the home flood the interior with natural light, creating a bright and inviting atmosphere. Whether you envision a modern masterpiece, a classic Key West retreat, or something entirely unique, this home offers endless possibilities to bring your vision to life. The property provides plenty of space for outdoor living, landscaping, and potential expansion. Located just steps outside the prestigious Casa Marina neighborhood, you'll enjoy convenient access to all that Key West has to offer, including beaches, dining, shopping, and entertainment. Prime location, ample space, and endless potential, this property represents a rare opportunity in the Key West real estate market. Don't miss out on the opportunity to make this blank canvas your own and create the perfect sanctuary in paradise.

PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY AVAILABLE IN KEY WEST

AVOID THE LONG DRIVE TO MIAMI AND HAVE ALL YOUR CHILDREN’S NEEDS MET RIGHT HERE IN THE FLORIDA KEYS.

Dr. Christina Smith DDS is now accepting new patients and is thrilled to be part of the 7-time Bubba Award-winning Doc Guzman’s o ce.

these three simple rules each time you recycle:

• Bagster® bags are available at home improvement stores and online.

• Bagster® bags are easy to use dumpsters in a bag that are strong enough to hold up to 3,300 pounds of debris or waste.

• Schedule your collection online or by phone.

Kellee Reed, DO, FACOEP, FACEP Christina Kemp Sawyer, MD Raul Caner, MD

• vfw391110@yahoo.com

SHARING STORIES & SELLING HOMES

Starck family had a long run on Lower Matecumbe Key

FLORIDA KEYS HISTORY WITH BRAD BERTELLI

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

The Sold Sisters, Ocean Sotheby’s International Realty’s Sarah Ewald and Sabrina Wampler, invited me to speak at an open house. The Atlantic-front Lower Matecumbe Key property is stunning with its pool, private beach and breezy ocean views. The collection of real estate agents, locals and neighbors sat sipping beverages (water, beer, wine, a delightful rum cocktail) while I shared Lower Matecumbe history.

I didn’t bring props or a screen on which to project historical pictures to punctuate the stories. It was just me standing in front of the pool, the beach, some coconut palms, a hammock and the ocean vista.

I like the structure of a linear story, especially when sharing history. It has a definitive beginning, middle and end, and I find that comforting. I am much better at writing linear stories than telling linear stories in front of a group — especially in intimate, picturesque settings.

Because questions are always welcome, the conversation departed Lower Matecumbe, traveled back and forth in time, and up and down the island chain in no particular order.

I started the talk with the unusual presence of fresh water on the island and how Lower Matecumbe was once home to wells deemed, in some accounts, the most reliable along the island chain. Historically, water bubbled up from the aquifer here and there up and down the island chain, not just at Lower Matecumbe. Digging into the historical record, naturally occurring wells have been identified on Key Largo, Upper Matecumbe, Lower Matecumbe, Key Vaca, Bahia Honda, Big Pine, and Key West, though some accounts conflict. There are others on and in the area of the Keys that had water — Key Biscayne and Lignumvitae Key, for instance.

It was not until 1942 that the water pipeline was turned on and delivered water to the

Florida Keys communities. On Sept. 22, the first drop reached Key West. It was only from that point forward that it became possible to walk into a kitchen or bathroom, turn on a faucet, and have water spill out.

What I wished I’d talked about more was the Starck family, which is a great Florida Keys story and a cornerstone of Lower Matecumbe Key’s history. The Starcks are considered the island’s first permanent residents. Walter “Buck” Starck grew up near Southwest Seventh Street and 10th Avenue in Southwest Miami, where his father, also named Walter Starck, worked as a charter fishing captain from the helm of his fishing cruiser Norma II.

The elder Starck operated his charter boat out of the Royal Palm docks in Miami but fished his clients in the waters surrounding Cuba, the Bahamas and the Florida Keys. Sometimes, he fished in the waters near New York in the summer months. In the 1920s and early 1930s, he docked the Norma II at the famed Long Key Fishing Camp.

Buck Starck grew up fishing with his father on the water. Because of his love of the ocean and his aptitude for math, a retired master of celestial navigation began tutoring Buck.

By age 21, Starck had passed all the tests necessary to become certified as a master mariner – the youngest person with that distinction in the country at the time.

Buck married Ruth Shires on Nov. 29, 1937. The same year, he and his father purchased the Whale Harbor Fishing Camp on the east (north) end of Upper Matecumbe

Key. The fishing camp had a dock, charter boats, cottages and a restaurant, which were available during the busy winter season. Only the property’s gas station and bar were kept open in the slow summer months.

Buck volunteered and served with the Navy for three years when World War II erupted. Because of his particular skills as a master mariner, he wrote the book on the government’s long-range search and rescue efforts during the war. Then, one day, when Pentagon officials arrived at his post, they attempted to question Buck during a proficiency inspection about procedures in a training manual that he had written.

After the war, the Starcks sold the Upper Matecumbe fishing camp and bought 17 acres on Lower Matecumbe Key in 1946. They transported an old Key lime packing house to the property and used it as a base of operations. That summer, they began building homes for Buck and Ruth, and Buck’s father, Walter.

By Christmas, they had moved into their new homes, where they raised their two boys, Walter and Terry. Though the boys grew up and moved away, Buck and Ruth lived at their Lower Matecumbe home for the rest of their lives. In 2010, they passed away within days of each other. Their lives were celebrated on Nov. 29, what would have been their 73rd wedding anniversary.

Odds are, if you have spent any time on Lower Matecumbe Key, you have seen their home, which is still standing in the parking lot of Robbie’s of Islamorada, the former home of the Starck Fishing Camp.

Capt. Buck Starck aboard his fishing boat with President Harry Truman, who is at the rear of the boat. CONTRIBUTED

BOUTIQUE HOURS

MONDAY - WEDNESDAY 11- 4

THURSDAY - SATURDAY 11- 6

Voted

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

As all the Pride glitter settles on Key West, Mercury is moving into a canoodle with the sun and Venus, which have been conjoined for about a month now, highlighting the people, places and things we love while helping us to love ourselves. This past week may have brought about a challenge to define our position in important relationships by setting boundaries and expectations as the sun and Venus moved into a conflicting square with hard-nosed Saturn. As Mercury enters the mix, we will naturally start to analyze and communicate all we’ve learned the past month, particularly in the last week, with some necessary objectivity and distance. This progression of transits is like envisioning a beautiful image of how you want to renovate your living room, then realizing with crushing reality the work it will entail, but finally enacting a step-by-step plan to achieve your goal. Here are your horoscopes for Mercury-sun-Venus square Saturn. Read for your rising and sun signs.

GEMINI

May 21 - June 21

You have been basking in the appreciation of other people for several weeks now, allowing you to experience a self-love that comes naturally when your beauty is reflected back in the eyes of others. While the constraints of your work and career have recently kept your ego in check, now is the time to develop a clear plan forward so you can sustain the joy of self you’ve been experiencing within long-term career goals.

CANCER

June 22 - July 22

If you’ve been feeling a little isolated, you’re right on time. Counterintuitively, spending time alone has been nourishing you in ways that have helped you to feel more connected to others. There is a possibility for self-sabotage, however, so don’t over-isolate. The difficulty of going on the adventure you seek may have you feeling trapped, but use this time to separate yourself from anxiety and get objective.

LEO

July 23 - Aug. 22

It has been a real party this past month, surrounded by loving friends and social supports. While there may be some debts or other obligations that have put a damper on things, you can now think clearly about how to prioritize your interpersonal relationships while also honoring your agreements. Talk to yourself as though you were giving advice to another person.

VIRGO

Aug. 23 - Sept. 22

There are some really good things happening with your vocation and public reputation. It’s as if a magnet is pulling you into greater recognition. An important partnership may be feeling like a wet towel in comparison, but you are developing some necessary maturity by navigating this dynamic. Under this sky, think clearly about how you can achieve your goals and structure your relationship in a way that works.

LIBRA

Sept. 23 - Oct. 23

You have been on quite the adventure these past few weeks, as though you’ve been granted a beautiful new vantage point to see your world. We can’t always be doing new things, however, and you’ve realized that the everyday chores and general maintenance of life are a hard reality. Right now, you are able to think more clearly about how to maintain a life of learning.

SCORPIO

Oct. 24 - Nov. 21

I venture to say that you’ve been working on a group project that has been focused on beautification or community-building. In the past week or so, your own creative needs have been creeping in, forcing you to set some boundaries with your comrades. Now, you have an opportunity to think clearly about how you can continue to work with others while also allowing your own work to mature.

SAGITTARIUS

Nov. 22 - Dec. 21

You have really been showing up for others lately, finding your own beauty by focusing on the important people in your life. While home and family issues may present difficulties that cramp your style, they are also forcing you to make wise choices. You are being offered the chance to step back and think clearly about how to maintain your most important relationships while honoring your home needs.

CAPRICORN

Dec. 22 - Jan. 19

Have you been forming graceful habits lately? It looks as though you have fallen into a beautiful groove that allows you to do your chores and meet your obligations in a way that feels in flow. Some boundary-setting with your neighbors or siblings may be challenging your routines, but you have an opportunity to strategize on how to sort that out so you can stay in the groove.

AQUARIUS

Jan. 20 - Feb. 18

Your own artistry has been front and center lately. However you produce creative works, I imagine the ingenuity has been flowing out of you. Finances may have sprung up as a particular difficulty lately, but fear not! This sky is offering you the ability to take a step back and figure out how to prioritize your creative expression while also filling your financial needs.

BLUEPRINT FOR HAPPINESS

PISCES

Feb. 19 - March 20

Your home and family life seem to be experiencing a special harmony right now, bringing you a lot of joy. However, it appears that you are in a position to be a disciplinarian or the arbiter of hard truths. You can love and appreciate your family while also setting important boundaries with them. Right now, you are being offered a clear line of thought on how to achieve this.

ARIES

March 21 - April 19

Being out and about in your neighborhood and your familiar surroundings has been particularly joyful. It appears, however, that there is work that needs done that requires you to isolate. There are deep lessons available to you if you take some time alone. Over the next few days, you can think very clearly about how to find your balance.

TAURUS

April 20 - May 20

It appears that you’ve experienced some financial boons lately. I’m not saying you won the lottery, but some grace and stability are taking place with your finances. You may have some friends who are giving you a much-needed reality check when it comes to your spending. Heed them. But also, you are being granted a perspective on how to be financially responsible on your own.

Tara Be y of Topeka, Kansas, has secured a Gui e World Record for the most ta s of the same musician on her body, United Pre Interna onal reported on May 23. Be y, who sports 18 ta s of Mado a, said she got the rst one in 2016. The inks span the singer’s car r. Be y es mated she’s spent nearly $10,000 on them.

ALMANAC | June

On this day: In 1966, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Miranda v. Arizona that police must inform suspects of their rights before ques oning them.

In The Bleachers

Adam

Brevity

Brevity

Nancy

News of the Weird

Founded by Betty Debnam

A Day in June

On June 19, many Americans will celebrate Juneteenth. The holiday honors the end of slavery in the United States. This week, The Mini Page learns more about this special day and the historical events surrounding it.

DELAYED FREEDOM

President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, freeing all enslaved people, took effect on Jan. 1, 1863. But until the Civil War ended in April 1865, more than two years later, there weren’t enough Union, or northern, soldiers to enforce the order.

Juneteenth celebrates the day that Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that the 250,000 enslaved people in Texas were free.

As part of the announcement, Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger said:

“... all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves.” This meant that if enslaved people stayed to work, they would be employees and would have to be paid a wage.

Some former slaves remained in Texas, but others headed north or into neighboring states to find family members.

June 19 became a day to gather with family and celebrate freedom.

CELEBRATION

Most early Juneteenth holidays took place at parks or churches. Some white employers allowed their workers the day

off and even donated food and money. But during the Depression of the 1920s and ‘30s, many people were forced to move to cities to find work, and employers there were not as generous in recognizing Juneteenth.

As the civil rights movement grew stronger in the mid-20th century, the idea of freedom re-energized Juneteenth celebrations. Younger generations brought the holiday to cities that hadn’t observed it before.

In 1980, Texas made Juneteenth a state holiday. Today, most states recognize Juneteenth as a holiday, along with it being an official federal holiday.

Will you celebrate Juneteenth this year? Talk with classmates and friends about how you mark this day and other historical holidays.

Bird experts are asking residents across the United States and Canada to help prevent the up to 30 bird deaths per second that can occur during the spring migration from Feb. 15 to June 15 due to collisions with human-made objects. “Up to a billion birds die each year in the United States when they crash into windows and other structures made with reflective or transparent material,” said Andrew Farnsworth at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. He recommends homeowners turn off nonessential lighting from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., or draw curtains.

LINCOLN’S PROCLAMATION

President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation was signed in Washington, D.C. In part, his order read:

“I do order and declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated States, and parts of States, are, and henceforward shall be free; and that the Executive government of the United States, including the military and naval authorities thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of said persons.

And I hereby enjoin upon the people so declared to be free to abstain from all violence, unless in necessary self-defence; and I recommend to them that, in all cases when allowed, they labor faithfully for reasonable wages. ...

And upon this act, sincerely believed to be an act of justice, warranted by the Constitution, upon military necessity, I invoke the considerate judgment of mankind, and the gracious favor of Almighty God.”

RESOURCES

On the Web:

• bit.ly/MPJuneteenth

At the library:

• “Juneteenth Is” by Natasha Tripplett

• “The Juneteenth Story: Celebrating the End of Slavery in the United States” by Alliah L. Agostini

The Mini Page® © 2024 Andrews McMeel Syndication

photo by Carol M. Highsmith

photo courtesy Austin History Center

Abraham Lincoln

People celebrate in Austin, Texas, on June 19, 1900.

Mini Fact:

In 2020, kids helped color art posters for a Juneteenth event in Washington, D.C.

TRY ’N’ FIND

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

CHURCH, CIVIL WAR, ENSLAVED, FAMILY, FEDERAL, GALVESTON, GRANGER, HOLIDAY, JUNETEENTH, JUSTICE, LINCOLN, MILITARY, PARK, STATES, TEXAS, WAGE, WASHINGTON.

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES •

INVITITATION TO BID

The City of Key Colony Beach cordially invites interested contractors to complete and submit sealed bids by July 25th, 2024, no later than 9:30 am, for the following project.

WRF UV CONTACT TANK REHABILITATION

ITB 2024-02

THE PROJECT CONSISTS OF: Temporary tankage with associated components to allow bypassing of the City’s existing UV Contact Tank (design, procurement, installation, and demolition/removal of system by contractor and contractor’s engineer of record); existing UV Contact Tank removal; construction of replacement UV Contact Tank with interior and exterior coatings; replacement of all existing control systems (ultrasonic level detector, transducers, oats, etc.); miscellaneous restoration; and other improvements.

All bids must be submitted in a sealed envelope to City Clerk Silvia Gransee at 600 W. Ocean, Key Colony Beach, Florida 33051 (mailing address PO Box 510141, Key Colony Beach, FL 33051), no later than July 25th, 2024 at 9:30 am clearly marked ‘Sealed Bid for the City of Key Colony Beach ITB 2024-02’ along with the name of your rm.

The bid manual, requirements, and speci cations are available on DemandStar at www.Demandstar.com.

All questions regarding the bid process should be directed to City Clerk Silvia Gransee at cityclerk@keycolonybeach.net

CALENDAR OF EVENTS ITB 2024-02

06-18-2024 Release Solicitation

07-08-2024 10:00 am Non-Mandatory Pre-Bid Site Visit (600 N. 8th Street, Key Colony Beach, FL 33051)

07-11-2024 4:00 pm

07-18-2024 4:00 pm

07-25-2024 9:30 am

08-08-2024 9:30 am

Last Day for submission of written questions to the City Last day for the City to post answers to questions

Bid Due & Opening

(Open to Public – 600 W. Ocean Drive, Key Colony Beach, FL 33051)

Recommendation to Award Utility Board Meeting

08-15-2024 9:30 am City Commission meeting

Award of Bid

(Open to the Public – 600 W. Ocean Drive, Key Colony Beach, FL 33051)

LOCAL LIKE A PRO

CITY OF MARATHON, FLORIDA REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS DEVELOPMENT OF A COMPREHENSIVE SAFETY ACTION PLAN

The City of Marathon, Florida, is accepting Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) from qualified professional transportation engineering firms, teams, or individuals to develop the City of Marathon Comprehensive Safety Action Plan in accordance with the requirements of the U.S. Department of Transportation Safe Streets for All Program.

The City is accepting electronic submissions through Demand Star until Wednesday, July 24, 2024, before 3:00 p.m., local time.

RFQ documents may be examined online at www. demandstar.com. All RFQ documents must be obtained from Demand Star. RFQ documents obtained from any source other than Demand Star may not be accurate or complete, and each Respondent and sub-contractor assumes all risks by their reliance on such documents. Any Respondent or sub-contractor who does not obtain the RFQ documents from Demand Star will not be notified of any RFQ addenda issued by the City, which could contain material changes thereto.

To be considered, Responses must by 3:00 PM EDT, Wednesday, July 24, 2024.The City reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to waive informalities, except timely submission of bids, to re-advertise for bids or to take any other actions that may be deemed in the best interest of the City. As a matter of information, the City does not bind itself to accept the minimum specifications stated herein, but reserves the right to accept any proposal, which in the judgment of the City Council will best serve the needs and interests of the City. Also, the City reserves the right to make such investigation as deemed necessary to determine the ability of any respondent to perform the services requested.

Publish:

June 13, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF PERMIT ISSUANCE

The Department of Environmental Protection gives notice of issuance of an individual permit to Richard Reynolds, 1166 Hakluyt Ln, Cudjoe Key, Florida, 33042, Parcel ID No. 00185660 000000 authorizing fill approximately 4,400 square feet (0.10 acres) of wetlands in order to construct a single-family home, driveway, and associated improvements in Mangrove Wetlands, Class III Outstanding Florida Waters to include portions of Section 33 Township 66 South, Range 28 East, in Monroe County.The application has been fully scanned and is available for public inspection via the Department’s Information Portal: http://webapps.dep.state.fl.us/ DepNexus/public/electronicdocuments If you have any questions or are experiencing difficulty viewing the electronic application, please call Daniel Sensi, (239) 344-5614.

NOTICE OF RIGHTS

This action is final and effective on the date filed with the Clerk of the Department unless a timely petition for an administrative proceeding is filed pursuant to the provisions of Sections 120.569 and 120.57, F.S. On the

filing of a timely and sufficient petition, this action will not be final and effective until further order of the Department. Because the administrative hearing process is designed to formulate final agency action, the hearing process may result in a modification of the agency action or even denial of the application. Petition for Administrative Hearing

A person whose substantial interests are affected by the Department’s action may petition for an administrative proceeding (hearing) under Sections 120.569 and 120.57, F.S. Pursuant to Rule 28-106.201, F.A.C., a petition for an administrative hearing must contain the following information:

(a) The name and address of each agency affected and each agency’s file or identification number, if known;

(b) The name, address, any email address, any facsimile number, and telephone number of the petitioner; the name, address, and telephone number of the petitioner’s representative, if any, which shall be the address for service purposes during the course of the proceeding; and an explanation of how the petitioner’s substantial interests are or will be affected by the agency determination;

(c) A statement of when and how the petitioner received notice of the agency decision;

(d) A statement of all disputed issues of material fact. If there are none, the petition must so indicate;

(e) A concise statement of the ultimate facts alleged, including the specific facts that the petitioner contends warrant reversal or modification of the agency’s proposed action;

(f) A statement of the specific rules or statutes that the petitioner contends require reversal or modification of the agency’s proposed action, including an explanation of how the alleged facts relate to the specific rules or statutes; and

(g) A statement of the relief sought by the petitioner, stating precisely the action that the petitioner wishes the agency to take with respect to the agency’s proposed action.

The petition must be filed (received by the Clerk) in the Office of General Counsel of the Department at 3900 Commonwealth Boulevard, Mail Station 35, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3000. Also, a copy of the petition shall be mailed to the applicant at the address indicated above at the time of filing.

Time Period for Filing a Petition

In accordance with Rule 62110.106(3), F.A.C., petitions for an administrative hearing by the applicant must be filed 21 days of receipt of this written notice. Petitions filed by any persons other than the applicant, and other than those entitled to written notice under Section 120.60(3), F.S., must be filed within 21 days of publication of the notice or within 21 days of receipt of the written notice, whichever occurs first. Under Section 120.60(3), F.S., however, any person who has asked the Department for notice of agency action may file a petition within 21 days of receipt of such notice, regardless of the date of publication. The failure to file a petition within the appropriate time period shall constitute a waiver of that person's right to request an administrative determination (hearing) under Sections 120.569 and 120.57, F.S., or to intervene in this proceeding and participate as a party to it.

Any subsequent intervention (in a proceeding initiated by another party) will be only at the discretion of the presiding officer upon the filing of a motion in compliance with Rule 28-106.205, F.A.C. Extension of Time

Under Rule 62-110.106(4), F.A.C., a person whose substantial interests are affected by the Department’s action may also request an extension of time to file a petition for an administrative hearing. The Department may, for good cause shown, grant the request for an extension of time. Requests for extension of time must be filed with the Office of General Counsel of the Department at 3900 Commonwealth Boulevard, Mail Station 35, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3000, before the applicable deadline for filing a petition for an administrative hearing. A timely request for extension of time shall toll the running of the time period for filing a petition until the request is acted upon. Mediation Mediation is not available in this proceeding.

FLAWAC Review

The applicant, or any party within the meaning of Section 373.114(1)(a) or 373.4275, F.S., may also seek appellate review of this order before the Land and Water Adjudicatory Commission under Section 373.114(1) or 373.4275, F.S.  Requests for review before the Land and Water Adjudicatory Commission must be filed with the Secretary of the Commission and served on the Department within 20 days from the date when this order is filed with the Clerk of the Department. Judicial Review

Once this decision becomes final, any party to this action has the right to seek judicial review pursuant to Section 120.68, F.S., by filing a Notice of Appeal pursuant to Rules 9.110 and 9.190, Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure, with the Clerk of the Department in the Office of General Counsel, 3900 Commonwealth Boulevard, M.S. 35, Tallahassee, Florida 323993000; and by filing a copy of the Notice of Appeal accompanied by the applicable filing fees with the appropriate District Court of Appeal. The Notice of Appeal must be filed within 30 days from the date this action is filed with the Clerk of the Department Publish: June 13, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of Created Rich Financial located at 323 Fleming Street, Key West, FL 33040 intends to register the said name with the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, FL, USA.

By: Carl Schutze

Publish: June 13, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of Teo Masters Financial

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES •

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Thursday, July 25, 2024, at 3:00 P.M., the Monroe County Purchasing Office will receive and open sealed responses for the following:

Engineering Design and Permitting Services for the Flagler Avenue (Key West) Road Resiliency and Adaptation 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 Thursday, July 25, 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 Thursday, July 25, 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: June 13, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at 3:00 P.M., the Monroe County Purchasing Office will receive and open sealed responses for the following: No Name Key Bridge Repairs

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 Wednesday, July 10, 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 Wednesday, July 10, 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: June 13, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA KEY WEST DIVISION CASE NO: 4:23-cv-10093-JEM NAUTILUS INSURANCE COMPANY, Plaintiff, v. CAPTAIN PIP’S HOLDINGS, LLC, DANIEL COUCH, TANNER HELMER, SRINIVASRAO ALAPARTHI, as P.R. of the Estate of SUPRAJA ALAPARTHI and as parent and natural guardian of Ak.A, a minor child, and RAVIKUMAR SADDA and ASRITHA RAVALA, as parents and natural guardians of V.S., a minor child, Defendants.

NOTICE OF ACTION

(NOTICE BY PUBLICATION)

TO: DANIEL COUCH

Last known address of: 213 ANGLERS DR. S., APT. 1 MARATHON, FL 33050

You are notified that Nautilus Insurance Company (“Nautilus”) has initiated an action for declaratory relief under 28 U.S.C. § 2201 against you in the United States District Court, Southern District of Florida, Key West Division, captioned Nautilus

Insurance Company v. Captain Pip’s Holdings, LLC, Daniel Couch, Tanner Helmer, Srinivasrao Alaparthi, as P.R. Of The Estate of Supraja Alaparthi and as parent and natural guardian of Ak.A, a minor child, and Ravikumar Sadda and Asritha Ravala, as parents and natural guardians of V.S., a minor child, bearing Case Number 4:23-cv-10093-JEM. You are required to serve a copy of your written defense, if any, on Michele Vargas, Esq., an attorney at Clyde & Co US LLP, whose address is 1221 Brickell Avenue, Suite 1600, Miami, Florida 33131, on or before July 17, 2024 and file the original with the Clerk of this Court, at 301 Simonton St., Key West, Florida 33040, either before service on Ms. Vargas or immediately after. Otherwise, a default will be entered against you for the relief demanded against you in the complaint.

Dated at Florida on this 20th day of May, 2024 Clerk of the Court Angela E. Noble, Clerk United States District Court Southern District of Florida By: Ketly Pierre

Deputy Clerk

Publish:

May 30, June 6, 13 & 20, 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

NOTICE OF ACTION RE: MARATHON KEY BEACH CLUB

II ASSOCIATION, INC

MONROE County, Florida

NON-JUDICIAL TIMESHARE

FORECLOSURE PROCESS

TO: Unit Owner(s)

Last Known Address

Unit Week(s)

Amount due:

Robert A Bradley and Stefane B

Bradley 1303 Chestnut Street

Murray, KY 42071

Unit E 202, Week 48

$6,703.35

Marion Canty and Remelda Canty 26521 SW 124 Avenue

Naranja, FL 33032

Unit E 102, Week 50

$4,601.12

Richard Chosid and Cherie Chosid

3110 NE 48th Street

Lighthouse Point, FL 33064

Unit A 102, Week 01

$2,219.69

Unit A 102, Week 02

$2,219.69

Cure My Mommy’s Breast Cancer

C/O Ellen Schreiber

9 Endo Blvd, # FL 1

Garden City, NY 11530-6748

Unit D 102, Week 36

$3,571.14

Edward Daniel and Mary Daniel

P.O. Box 351853

Miami, FL 33135

Unit E 102, Week 36

$4,580.62

Jennifer Edwards f/k/a Jennifer Leanna and Zachary Edwards

2688 Whispering Drive

Largo, FL 33771

Unit E 202, Week 39

$6,702.41

Unit B 202, Week 47

$6,702.41

Maria George 3215 N 65th Avenue

Phoenix, AZ 85033-5216

Unit D 102, Week 50

$3,585.74

Lowell Higgins and Janine

Sanders-Higgins

64 Kilworth PK Drive

RR #5 Komoka, ON N0L 1R0

Canada

Unit A 102, Week 47

$6,705.00

Dewane L Hose

Greystone House

Lockton, N Yorkshire YO187QB

United Kingdom

Unit D 102, Week 42

$3,585.74

Charles Khoury

7343 Brisbane Hills Street Las Vegas, NV 89166

Unit B 102, Week 46

$7,225.00

Unit B 102, Week 47

$7,225.00

Gehard Jacob, Anneliese

Bentjerodt & Arquiyecto Eusebio

Celi 5150 Comuna Vitacura

Santiago

Chile

Unit C 201, Week 44

$3,585.74

Mary E McHenry, Michael B

McHenry & Tina M McHenry

46 Hodgson Avenue

Pittsburg, PA 15205

Unit A 102, Week 40

$4,601.12

Unit A 102, Week 41

$4,601.12

Lee M Purcifull

18406 Turning Point Drive

Lutz, FL 33549

Unit A 202, Week 36

$6,675.25

Shaki Rehman

11711 SW 130 Avenue

Miami, FL 33186

Unit B 201, Week 42

$6,701.46

LEGAL NOTICES

Jane Rosenthal 444 E 75th Street, Apt #3-B

New York, NY 10021

Unit E 101, Week 48

$5,597.15

Unit E 102, Week 48

$5,597.15

Vincent T Salvato and Angela Salvato 4700 Casswell Drive

New Port Richey, FL 34652

Unit A 101, Week 43

$3,585.74

Frank Schultz, Trustee of the Frank Schultz Living Trust

Agreement Dated March 24, 2000 1751 Beach Road, Apt 202 Englewood, FL 34223

Unit D 202, Week 49

$3,585.74

Frank Stewart and Jeanne C Stewart 3101 82nd Way North St Petersburg, FL 33710

Unit B 202, Week 40

$7,698.79

Chelsa Aran Taggart 1841 E 9th Street, Apt 2 Duluth, MN 55812 Unit D 102, Week 21

$5,619.22

Penny Weiss and Lynne Arnault 105 Kensington Road Syracuse, NY 13210

Unit E 202, Week 41

$5,597.15

Henry Zima, Halina Zima & Joanna D Ricci 2388 Carlanne Place Mississauga, ON L5E 2M2 Canada Unit B 101, Week 46

$3,585.74

Unit B 101, Week 47

$3,585.74

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED of an action for non-judicial foreclosure of timeshare units on the Claim of Lien on the following described real property, located in MONROE County, Florida, to-wit: Unit Numbers and Annual Timeshare Use Periods (as set forth above) in MARATHON KEY BEACH CLUB CONDOMINIUM II, and all appurtenances thereto, according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof, as recorded in Official Records Book 859, Page 786 of the Public Records of Monroe County, Florida and all amendments and exhibits thereto. has been filed against you. If you fail to cure the default as set forth in this notice or take other appropriate action with regard to this foreclosure matter, you risk losing ownership of your timeshare interest through the trustee foreclosure procedure established in Section 721.855, Florida Statutes. You may choose to sign and send to the trustee an objection form, exercising your right to object to the use of the trustee foreclosure procedure. If you would like an Objection form, you should contact the undersigned Trustee, Thomas L Avrutis, Esquire, in writing. Upon the trustee’s receipt of your signed objection form, the foreclosure of the lien with respect to the default specified in this notice shall be subject to the judicial foreclosure procedure only. You have the right to cure your default in the manner set forth in this notice at any time before the trustee’s sale of your timeshare interest. Objections must be made in writing to: Thomas L Avrutis, Esquire

TRUSTEE FOR MARATHON KEY BEACH CLUB II ASSOCIATION, INC 201 Fletcher Avenue, Second Floor Sarasota, FL 34237 within 30 days of the first date of publication of this Notice. If you do not object to the use of the trustee foreclosure procedure, you will not be subject to a deficiency judgment even if the proceeds from the sale of your timeshare interest are

insufficient to offset the amounts secured by the lien.

Dated this 3rd day of JUNE, 2024.

Thomas L Avrutis, Esquire, TRUSTEE

TRUSTEE for MARATHON KEY BEACH CLUB II ASSOCIATION, INC

Publish:

June 13 & 20, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

PROBATE DIVISION

FILE NO.: 24-CP-000268-K

IN RE: ESTATE OF DOUGLAS JOHN KENNETT

Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of DOUGLAS JOHN KENNETT, deceased, whose date of death was October 25, 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: June 6, 2024.

Personal Representative: EILEEN BURTNER JAMESON 5903 Mount Eagle Drive Apt 1014

Alexandria, Virginia 22303

Attorney for Personal Representative: JOHN FERRARI, JR.

Attorney

Florida Bar No. 111132

Ferrari, Butler & Moneymaker, PLLC 2520 Tamiami Trail North, Suite 11 Nokomis, Florida 34275

Telephone: (941) 960-1676

Fax: (941) 296-8656

E-mail: johnf@elderlegalfl.com

Secondary E-mail: pollyb@ elderlegalfl.com

Publish: June 6 & 13, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL

CIRCUIT

IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

PROBATE DIVISION

FILE NO.: 24-CP-000277-K

IN RE: THE ESTATE OF EUGENIA YVONNE BUTLER

Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of EUGENIA YVONNE BUTLER, deceased, whose date

of death was July 3, 2022, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division: File Number 24-CP-000277-K the address of which is 500 Whitehead St., Key West, FL 33040. The names and addresses of the personal representative(s) and the personal representative(s)’ attorney is set forth below. The Fiduciary lawyer-client privilege in s. 90.5021 FLA. STAT. applies with respect to the personal representative and any attorney employed by the personal representative.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons, who have claims or demands against decedent’s estate, including unmature, contingent or unliquidated claims, and who have been served a copy of this notice, must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE LATER OF THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons who have claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with this court WITHIN THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. THE DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE IS JUNE 6, 2024. PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE:

CARLTON THURSTON 14905 Simmons Grove Drive Haymarket, VA 20169 ATTORNEY FOR PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE: Nakeitha Sweeting Hodrick, Esq. FBN: 0079847

Sweeting Law & Mediation, P.A. 20451 NW 2nd Avenue, Suite 108 Miami, Florida 33169 786.279.4841

Publish: June 6 & 13, 2024 The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 24-CP-000263-PK IN RE: ESTATE OF CYNTHIA L. YELKIN Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of CYNTHIA L. YELKIN, deceased, whose date of death was July 31, 2023; is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division; File Number 24-CP-000263-PK, the address of which is 88770 Overseas Highway, Suite 2, Plantation Key, FL 33070. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, and who have been served a copy of this notice, must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE LATER OF THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES •

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must

le their claims with this court

WITHIN THREE (3) MONTHS

AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST

PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.

NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME

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

THE DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE IS: JUNE 6, 2024.

Personal Representative:

SEDAT L. YELKIN

9268 Youngstown-Salem Rd.

Can eld, OH 44406

Attorney for Personal

Representative:

JOHN MICHAEL LYNN, ESQ.

Florida Bar No. 0147273

Turner & Lynn, P.A.

7 Barracuda Lane

Key Largo, Florida 33037

Telephone: (305) 367-0911

turnerlynnpa@gmail.com

Publish:

June 6 & 13, 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

BOATS FOR SALE

Rampage 25X10 Diesel Center Console. Charter sh rigged. 20 Rods & Reels + equip. Located in Marathon. 305-619-5282

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

Boat Lift For Sale in Marathon - 20,000lb Neptune Atlantic elevator boat lift -

$7500 407-620-3406

BOAT SLIP FOR RENT

Boat Dockage for rent in Marathon. Private bay bottom, up to 40' boat, self containing, o shore 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

EMPLOYMENT

Looking for Alarm Technicians with current working knowledge of re 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.

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

Now Hiring Skilled Plumbers. New construction & full service. Upper Keys Plumbing Contractor looking for immediate hires to ll 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

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. 305-363-9361

PlumbersinParadise@ outlook.com

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 305-743-6739 to schedule an interview or email o ce@ 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 305-743-6739 to schedule an interview or email o ce@ marathonyachtclub. com.

The Housing Authority of the City of Key West now hiring the following positions: Med Tech PT/Nights, FT Receptionist, PT Housing Assistant, Housing Choice Voucher Asst., PT

Receptionist, Housing Manager-Middle Keys, Maintenance Mechanic (Maintenance Worker, and HVAC Maintenance Mechanic $64.480-$72,800/ yr. plus bene ts. To apply, please contact Human Resources at: martinezm@kwha.org or 305-296-5621. Applications are available at the Administrative O ce 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, 9:30am7pm daily. Full time/ Part time. Small friendly sta . 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.

Saturday front desk o ce person needed to answer phones and greet walk in customers

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.

at Big Pine Real Estate O ce. Call Frank 561283-9969 or DD 305289-6486

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

HOBBIES/COLLECT.

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

Available for 1 person. 2 1/2 rooms + 8' X 22' screened porch. All utilities incl. wi , satellite TV, washer/dryer. 2nd house from ocean. Ostreet parking. Private & quiet. MM 96 Key Largo. $1,950/month F/L/S 305-853-3779

Long-term rental on Lower Matecumbe. 2BR/1BA Tile oors, W/D, 2nd oor w/wrap around balcony on canal. Private beach access. $2,900/mo incl. internet & cable. Call Phil 305-898-2077

Conch HouseStudio for Rent in Marathon. $960/month furnished + utilities. Dockage available. No Pets. 305-610-8002

Large One Bedroom Suite, Conch House, carpet, tile, appliances, available for rent in Marathon. $2,000/ month furnished all included. Weekly payments possible. Dockage available. No Pets. 305-610-8002

2/1-Marathon, furn.,duplex, w/d, near Hospital, 30’ on canal. $2,500/month, 6 mon. minimum , (or) $4,500/ monthly. Pets nego. Call/Text 409-370-0025 RENTED IN LESS THAN ONE WEEK!!!

ANNUAL RENTAL Summerland Key 2 BR/2BA with a loft House with a beautiful Pool in a Private Airport Community. $4,200/ month. 973-224-0940.

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 rates. Free use of dingy & shing on dock. 305-610-8002

30' X 120' LOT FOR RENT in Marathon. Keys By The Sea, MM50. Cement pad, avail. MayNov $1000/mo plus utilities. 262-716-8987 RENTED IN THREE WEEKS!!!

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

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

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

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!

IS HIRING

FULL TIME PROJECT MANAGER ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE 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

$18/hour to start. Send resume to: turtlehospital@turtlehospital.org

WE ARE HIRING!

DIRECT CARE STAFF /DRIVER AT ADULT DAY TRAINING PROGRAM FT

KEY WEST OFFICE

This position is available at our Adult Day program. Providing direct care service and support to our clients in the day program. This position requires the minimum of high school completion or GED. English language, speaking and writing, proficiency is a must. Florida driver’s license w/clean driving record, pre-employment training online and in person. Ability to pass a Level II background screening and references.

SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT COACH

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.

IN HOME SUPPORT FT

KEY WEST

We are 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. Florida driver’s license w/good driving record, references and background screening required. This is a rewarding position for the right person.

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 driver’s license.

Come join our family! EOE

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

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.

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

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

Hosts

Waitstaff

Bartenders

Bar Backs

Bussers

Line Cooks

Dishwashers

Knight’s Key Blvd, Marathon

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

Full-time, Part-time Apply in person at Sunset Grille & Raw Bar,

salary and great benefits. Weekends are a must.

LIVE IN PARADISE AND SEE DOLPHINS PLAY EVERYDAY!

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 GUIDANCE/CARE CENTER, Inc.

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.

at:

OPENINGS AVAILABLE

PHYSICIAN

- Nurse Practitioner, Primary Care Marathon, FT

TAVERNIER MARINERS HOSPITAL

- Cook, Per Diem

- Director of Nursing Services, Multispecialty Acute Care Center, FL

- Exercise Physiologist, Mariners Wellness Center, Per Diem

- Group Exercise Instructor, Mariners Wellness Center, Per Diem

- Lead First Cook, $5,000 Bonus, FT

- Manager Wellness Center, FT

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

- Nuclear Medicine Tech, Per Diem

- Performance Improvement Nurse, FT

- Phlebotomist, Laboratory, Per Diem

- Registered Nurse, Cardiac Rehab, Per Diem

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

- Registered Nurse, ICU, $25,000 Bonus, FT

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

- Yoga Instructor, Mariners Wellness Center, Per Diem

MARATHON FISHERMEN’S COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

- ED Acute Care Tech, Emergency Department, FT

- Environmental Tech, $5,000 Bonus, FT

- Experience Advisor, Patient Experience, FL

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

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

- Radiology Technologist, Radiology, $15,000 Bonus, FT

- Registered Nurse, Multispecialty Acute Care Center, Per Diem

- Registered Respiratory Therapist, Per Diem

- Security Of cer, Per Diem

AND LEARN MORE

MARATHON GARBAGE SERVICE

We are now hiring for the following positions: Diesel Mechanic Truck Helpers CDL Drivers Applicants must apply in person to be considered.

4290 Overseas Hwy, Marathon

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.

$60,000.

& Dental

457 (b) Participation.