Upper Keys Weekly 24-0801

Tranquility in Key Largo

Welcome home to a life of serenity, sophistication, and waterfront bliss! This peninsula in Buccaneer Point Estates was developed to create a sense of privacy in a peaceful bay unique to the Upper Keys. The estate-sized property has 80' of shoreline directly on the Florida Bay with deepwater dockage. This custom three-story, CBS waterfront home offers four bedrooms and three bathrooms with over 3,015 square feet of living space. As you step through the grand interior staircase entry, you are greeted by a seamless flow of space and light, enhancing the home's airy and inviting ambiance as you walk up to the main level. Expansive sliding doors and porches throughout the home offer breath-taking bay and sunset views. The gourmet kitchen is equipped with stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, a large laundry room doubling as a walk-in pantry and an elevator lift outside the dining area. The main living level features one guest bedroom and bathroom with a walk-in closet. Ascending to the third level, you will find three additional bedrooms and two bathrooms. The ensuite primary offers panoramic bay views from the private balcony. Immerse yourself in the private and spacious backyard, where mature palms and landscaping provide ultimate tranquility. Lounge in the hot tub, launch a paddle from your beach, or sit by a fire and savor the soothing sounds of the tropical breezes. With room for an in-ground pool and summer kitchen, the possibilities of creating your dream space are endless. Boaters will delight in the pier dock, boat lift, and central location for quick oceanside access. This is a rare and great investment opportunity to own on one of the most coveted streets in Key Largo.

89240 Overseas Hwy. Suite 2 Tavernier, FL 33070

Office: 305.363.2957 www.keysweekly.com

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News Deadline

Monday Noon

Advertising Deadline

Tuesday 2 p.m.

The number of days left before you can finally enjoy a football game. With NFL training camps underway, the preseason officially kicks off with the Hall of Fame game between the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans in Canton, Ohio on Thursday, Aug. 1. The regular season kicks off Sept. 5 between the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens.

Members of

KEYS TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL BOARD HIRES NEW

CEO/PRESIDENT

Retired Monroe County Sheriff’s Maj. Lee Ann Holroyd holds up a display case given to her upon her retirement on July 8. The case contains patches and badges from the many MCSO positions she held over the last four decades. MCSO/Contributed

Contract negotiations are underway; Kara Franker says she’s ready to start work

GWEN FILOSA gwen@keysweekly.com

The board of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council voted on July 30 to hire Kara Franker, a destination marketing executive and attorney who has previously worked in South Florida, to take the helm of the Keys multimillion-dollar tourism agency as its first president/CEO.

A county-appointed committee unanimously chose Franker from four finalists left standing, after the job search began months earlier, at a July 26 meeting. Both sides still need to negotiate a few contract terms.

“I am grateful to the TDC board for having the confidence in me to join the team," Franker told Keys Weekly after the vote. "I have so much respect for their leadership and for the current team. I have lots to learn and plan to speak with as many people as possible to get insight and advice. I’m excited."

Franker would officially work for Visit Florida Keys, the nonprofit that employs TDC staff. She will answer to the unpaid TDC board members.

The hiring comes after a tumultuous period for the TDC, which is funded through a bed tax collected from hotel and lodging establishments. The bed taxes fund marketing campaigns, special event advertising and some building projects to promote the Keys, where the main economic engine is tourism, as a destination.

On Oct. 31, 2023, County Clerk Kevin Madok released the first in a series of audits critical of the financial practices at the TDC.

In March, the TDC board unanimously approved a motion by County Mayor Holly Raschein, who sits on the TDC board as a representative of the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners, to fire the TDC's marketing director, Stacey Mitchell.

Monroe County Tourist Development board members George Fernandez, left, and Bobby Mongelli, far right, speak with Kara Franker after the board voted July 30 to hire her as the TDC’s first president/CEO. JASON KOLER/Keys Weekly

County leaders, including longtime County Administrator Roman Gastesi, later stuck up for Mitchell, saying the TDC has needed a chief financial officer on staff in addition to a marketing leader, which was Mitchell’s specialty.

Mitchell didn't speak publicly at the TDC meetings where her employment status was discussed. But her attorney, Zachary Zermay, eventually appeared at a meeting to tell the board Mitchell was treated unfairly. Zermay told Keys Weekly he is preparing a wrongful termination lawsuit to file by the end of the year.

Zermay said Mitchell is being “thrown under the bus” because she became a political target over $150,000 in TDC funding of Monroe County’s recent 200th anniversary celebration.

“It’s an election year,” Zermay said.

The request was initially denied because of a deadline issue. But the money to pay for a drone fireworks show in March 2023 was eventually provided by the TDC.

CATCHES YIELD NO MAJOR CASES

Two boating incidents seen during lobster mini-season

No arrests or major wildlife cases were reported by law enforcement agencies during a two-day lobster mini-season in the Florida Keys.

A few incidents on the water, however, kept first responders busy during the sport season.

Beginning a minute past midnight on July 24 and concluding at midnight on July 25, locals and visitors were able to grab their bag limits — six lobsters per person, per day in Monroe County. Sheriff’s deputies, state wildlife officers and U.S. Coast Guard crews were among the agencies patrolling the waters up and down the island chain to ensure bug catchers measured their catches correctly and abided by other state and local regulations.

Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation reported no major resource cases. In the Lower Keys, state wildlife officers were called to Boca Chica Bridge after a 20-year-old snorkeler from Seminole was struck by a boat a little past 8 a.m. on July 24. According to FWC, a 19-foot Stratos operated by Mark Johnson, of Key West,

PUBLIC PROVIDES INPUT ON BUILDOUT DURING VILLAGE WORKSHOP

JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

AJuly 30 village workshop gave members of the public an opportunity to weigh in on how Islamorada could potentially navigate through the residential development conundrum, handle possibly more building permits for homes and heed a mandated 24-hour hurricane evacuation.

Organized by the Islamorada Planning Department and Director Jennifer DeBoisbriand, the conversation revolved around allocations for residential housing in the village and whether it should request more permits from the state to accommodate property owner’s rights and requests to develop their lands. At the same time, Florida statute requires Monroe County residents be able to evacuate the Keys within 24 hours before a storm.

where we’re at and figure out the best course forward,” DeBoisbriand said.

Following a presentation, attendees at the workshop broke into groups to develop ideas as to how the village should proceed. Ty Harris, a local land use attorney, said his group agreed the village should take as many allocations as it can.

was passing under the bridge when it struck Sean Steven Bender. He was airlifted to a Miami hospital with severe injuries to his arm.

“This is an active investigation,” said FWC spokeswoman Arielle Callender.

More than 500 vessel stops by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office yielded no arrests during the two days. Deputies issued 12 mandatory court citations for those who possessed undersized lobsters. In the Lower Keys, deputies rescued four people from a sinking vessel on the oceanside near MM 39 on July 24. Deputies responded to the scene around 11:30 a.m. to find a boat taking on water. The four people, who weren’t identified, were successfully retrieved from the sinking vessel. Lobsters weren’t the only catch during the two-day lobster mini-season. On July 24, a diver searching for lobster found a package of cocaine roughly a mile offshore of Tavenier. The package was turned over to the U.S. Border Patrol.

Last November, FloridaCommerce gave Monroe County a list of options for hurricane evacuation plans, all tied to the possibility of adding perhaps 3,550, or more, building permits for the Keys. The BOCC and other local officials asked for a year to work on a response.

DeBoisbriand said the village has plenty of allocations for nonresidential development. In addition, the village chose to reserve 165 of the 300 early evacuation affordable housing units the state gave out following Hurricane Irma in 2017.

Permits for residential development, however, are lacking. Fifty-four applications to the village are requesting a market rate building permit with not enough allocations to dole out. An initial review by the planning department found between 178 and 212 properties in the village which haven’t come for a building permit but could potentially ask for an allocation in the years to come.

The village council approved a moratorium on new applications seeking a permit. That moratorium is set to expire in February, meaning the village could accept new applications again.

“The village council decided they wanted to take a pause on accepting new applications so we could have these conversations so we could study

‘It doesn’t mean you have to use them. Not having the flexibility 20 to 30 years down the road limits your options,” he said. “The folks on the BPAS (building permit allocation system) list should be able to get a permit in a reasonable amount of time.”

Van Cadenhead said the village shouldn’t request any more allocations for market rate from the state.

“What we’re doing tonight is an exercise of futility, in my opinion, because we don’t have the space,” he said.

Alina Davis said some in the group preferred no more building permit allocations while some would like to see the village offer one market rate permit a year. Davis also asked if the state had any liability should a property owner in the village file a takings claim. DeBoisbriand said that hasn’t been determined.

Elizabeth Jolin said her group discussed the need for more public participation and a simpler explanation of BPAS for those in the community who may not have a grasp of the situation. In terms of answering the question of what the village wants, Jolin said everyone needs to be talking about the same consequences and impacts.

DeBoisbriand said the village will be sending out surveys — one goes out Thursday, Aug. 1 — to gather more feedback. DeBoisbriand said the village will hold another workshop before the council decides to request more permits or none.

Sheriff’s Sgt. James Hager with a boat of bug catchers in Key Largo.

Sheriff’s deputies respond to a sinking vessel in the Lower Keys on July 24. Four people on board were rescued. MCSO/Contributed

Venetian Shores in Islamorada. DAVID GROSS/Keys Weekly

The Key Largo Wastewater Treatment District (KLWTD) and Islamorada, Village of Islands are at work before, during and after a storm to keep the central sewer collection system and processing plant fully operational.

KLWTD service area: Mile Marker 106 to the north end of the Tavernier Creek Bridge Islamorada service area: south of the Tavernier Creek Bridge to the south end of Lower Matecumbe Key

While the wastewater system is designed to operate during most significant storm events, there are a few conditions where service may be interrupted. It is important for our customers to understand these situations.

WIDESPREAD POWER OUTAGES MANDATORY EVACUATIONS and RECOVERY EXTREME WIND WITH RAIN FLOODING

Sewer facilities are on generator back-up and are regularly tested and prepared for power interruptions. If you have an on-site (grinder pump) system, you will need to conserve sewer usage until power is restored to your home.

Heavy rain with extreme winds (over 50 mph) can pose a threat to power generators. The system may be temporarily interrupted during these periods but will be restored immediately after.

Rising water above the in-home drains can allow for the infiltration of large amounts of water into the sewer system. During periods of flooding, portions of the collection system may be temporarily shut down to avoid overwhelming the system.

During periods of mandatory evacuations, service may be interrupted. The system will be restored, usually before re-entry is allowed to the general public.

"Reduce Usage" means: Water usage should be for essential sanitary purposes only. Minimize toilet flushing, avoid use of washing machines and dishwashers.

✔ Do not park or place debris on or next to air terminals, utility boxes or manhole covers.

✔ Notify your wastewater district of leaks or system failures.

✔ Never drain storm waters into the sewer system – it’s against the law.

✔ Follow us on Facebook for updates during extreme weather conditions.

www.islamorada.fl.us facebook.com/IslamoradaFloridaKey

AN ODE TO SERVICE

Top-ranking law enforcement officer retires following four-plus decades

KELLIE BUTLER FARRELL www.keysweekly.com

When she was growing up, Lee Ann Holroyd never felt a burning calling to become a police officer. While attending the University of Florida, she studied journalism. Writing, she said, was kind of her “thing.”

But fate and circumstance took the Coral Shores High School graduate down a different career path.

Upon returning to the Keys after college, Holroyd landed a temporary job with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. Little did she know at the time, that “temporary” job would end up changing the course of her life.

“I took a temporary position as a secretary, when you could still say secretary. I don’t even know if you can still say secretary now,” said Holroyd with a laugh.

It wasn’t until Holroyd was offered permanent employment, as a detective’s assistant, that the desire to pursue law enforcement as a career took hold. She enrolled in the police academy in 1987. Sheriff Rick Ramsay was in her class.

“I knew pretty early on that his goal was to be the sheriff and he knew pretty early on that I wanted to be part of his command staff,” recalled Holroyd.

Fast-forward 41-1/2 years after her humble beginnings as a temporary secretary and MCSO Maj. Lee Ann Holroyd is celebrating her retirement; July 8 was her last day. As a retirement gift from the sheriff’s office, Holroyd was awarded a glass display case with embroidered badges from all of the divisions she worked in throughout her four decades and the distinguished ranks she achieved.

From patrol officer to patrol sergeant to school resource officer to school resource officer supervisor, the ambitious and energetic police officer quickly rose through the ranks.

She was a detective and detective sergeant and the commander of special operations. She spent 18 years on the sheriff’s office dive team. She oversaw the federal narcotics money and laundering taskforce, which took her to places like England and the Channel Islands.

“Just phenomenal opportunities,” said Holroyd of her MCSO career. “I’ve traveled the world from our little hometown here. I’ve traveled all over the world.”

Most recently, Holroyd oversaw internal affairs and professional standards.

Somehow, during her spare time over the years, she managed to earn a dual-major master’s degree in criminal justice and corrections and rehabilitation.

“She’s one of the most well-rounded people I know,” said Ramsay. “She’s an amazing woman. She’s done so much in a very male-dominant job.

“It’s been challenging for women in law enforcement for years to achieve a certain level and she’s one of those people who has been able to break down those walls to prove herself.”

As a woman in the sheriff’s command staff, Holroyd undoubtedly shattered glass ceilings.

“She’s a hard worker and an example for young women in our community, too,” said longtime friend Gina Boilini. Boilini vividly remembers being in middle school when Holroyd was a school resource officer teaching the Drug Abuse Resistance Education

(D.A.R.E.) program.

“She was a role model,” recalled Boilini, who now considers Holroyd one of her closest friends.

Another person who describes Holroyd as a mentor is MCSO Capt. Spenser Bryan. Bryan oversees Key Largo and Tavernier for the sheriff’s office. The two go way back. Holroyd has known Bryan since he was born.

“When he came out of the hospital, I actually drove them home. I still carry his baby pictures,” said Holroyd with a smile.

Bryan is going to miss the daily interactions with his colleague and friend, especially when it comes to her level-headed and enthusiastic approach to the job and to life in general.

“She’s non-stop, she’s always going, she makes me tired and I’m younger than her,” said Bryan. “She’s very energetic and probably passionate is the best word to describe her,” he added.

Longtime friend Trish Biondoletti said Holroyd was able to achieve something so many in the workforce can find extremely difficult, a healthy work-life balance.

“She has managed to prioritize her family, friends and community while giving 100% to MCSO. She is truly one of a kind and I am proud to call her my best friend,” said Biondoletti, who has known Holroyd since the 1980s.

For the last nine years, Holroyd has been living in Key West during the week to be close to MCSO headquarters on Stock Island. She would return to her home in Islamorada on the weekends to spend time with her husband, Geno, and special needs adult son, Matthew.

“After nine years, I really missed being home with my family. I’m an Upper Keys girl,” said Holroyd. One thing is undeniable; there will be no sitting around during retirement for Holroyd.

“There are so many things that I want to do,” she said.

Besides spending time with her family, Holroyd plans to remain very active in her community. She will be volunteering at schools, getting more involved with her sorority, Chi Sigma, and the Upper Keys chapter of Business and Professional Women. She also plans to do accreditation work for police agencies across Florida.

Ramsay considers Holroyd to be a close friend and ally. Although he has talented team members to fill Holroyd’s void at headquarters, he admits, it just won’t be the same.

“She’s probably one of the most valuable people I’m going to miss and I just can’t replace. You just can’t replace a Lee Ann Holroyd,” said Ramsay. “She’s loved and beloved by the entire agency. She left a mark on the agency and community that will last a lifetime.”

As for Holroyd, although she is thrilled to embark on this well-earned next chapter, retirement is also a little bittersweet.

“I have worked with the best people, really the best people, and that is the only part that’s bittersweet for me, just missing that actual day to day, seeing them day to day,” said Holroyd. “I cannot say enough good about the people that I worked with and the agency as a whole.”

Sheriff Rick Ramsay promotes Lee Ann Holroyd to the rank of major. The two attended the police academy together in 1987. Ramsay says Holroyd is one of his closest friends and an ally. MCSO/Contributed

Gina Boilini and Lee Ann Holroyd share a hug at Doc’s Diner in Key Largo. Boilini looks up to Holroyd as a role model. KELLIE BUTLER FARRELL/Keys Weekly

Holroyd is looking forward to spending more time with her husband, Geno, and son, Matthew, during retirement. CONTRIBUTED

Holroyd attends the Special Olympics in Monroe County. MCSO/Contributed

CORAL SHORES HIGH SCHOOL RANKED AMONG THE BEST IN FLORIDA

Coral Shores High School is now recognized as a top high school in South Florida, according to a recent ranking by U.S. News and World Report which put it as the 80th best school in the state. The ranking is based on its high AP pass rates, its graduation rate of 97%, and students’ above-average proficiency in science, reading and mathematics. “Our students and staff work extremely hard to achieve excellence for every student, every day,” said principal Laura Lietaert. “The released AP scores are evidence of perseverance and determination.” KEYS WEEKLY FILE PHOTO

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT

SET IN THE UPPER KEYS

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office is holding National Night Out events on Tuesday, Aug, 6 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Founders Park in Islamorada and Key Largo Community Park. A national police and community event, National Night Out gives the community the chance to meet first responders, view vehicles and other unique equipment and enjoy food. The event is free and families are welcome to attend the events. Pictured, Sheriff’s Lt. Charlene Sprinkle and attendees at last year’s National Night Out in Islamorada. DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly

FLORIDA KEYS SCENIC CORRIDOR ALLIANCE HOLDS ANNUAL MEETING

The Florida Keys Scenic Corridor Alliance (FKSCA) will hold its annual meeting on Thursday, Aug. 8 at the Hampton Inn in Marathon, located at 13351 Overseas Highway. The meeting begins at 11:30 a.m. and concludes at 1:30 p.m.

Established in 2007, FKSCA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing the scenic, historic and recreational qualities of the Florida Keys. The organization played a pivotal role in securing the All-American Road designation from the National Byways Association in 2009, a recognition that followed the designation of U.S. 1 as a Florida Scenic Highway by the state in 2001. Currently, there are only 57 All-American Roads in the nation.

The meeting will feature presentations from officials of the statewide scenic highway program, focusing on the critical efforts to maintain the safety and cleanliness of U.S. 1. A highlight of the meeting will be a presentation by Big Belly Trash Compactors on solarpowered trash cans, ideally suited for placement along the 110 miles of the All-American Road.

Additionally, attendees will receive an updated presentation on the plans for the Long Key Bridge renovation, an important project for the region.

The annual meeting is open to all. Registration can be completed at the door or at www.scenichighwayflkeys.com. Registration fees are $40 for individuals, which includes an individual membership and lunch, and $65 for businesses, which also includes a business membership and lunch.

The FKSCA board meets monthly on the second Thursday, working to promote and protect the scenic qualities of the Florida Keys.

More information is available from Judy Hull at director@islamoradachamber.com or 305-394-3539. — Contributed

Channel 5 Bridge. DAVID GROSS/Keys Weekly

Early Voting Begins August 5

Dedicated to Monroe County

County Commissioner Holly Merrill Raschein has dedicated herself to serving on the county commission with honor and integrity, tirelessly working to help improve the lives of Monroe County’s families, businesses and students.

With two decades of public service representing our community, Holly’s unwavering commitment is focused on making Monroe County the best it can be.

Holly Merrill Raschein is always fighting for the Florida Keys!

HOLLY MERRILL RASCHEIN for Monroe County Commission

• Make the Career and Technical Education Program a

the

training opportunities

• Continue to maintain a safe and secure

COUNCIL CANDIDATE ANGEL BORDEN PASSES AWAY AT 62

JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

Alocal businesswoman and candidate for Islamorada Village Council, Brycelynne

“Angel” Borden, passed away on July 29 in Tavernier. She was 62.

Born on a Navy base in Memphis, Borden called Islamorada home for the past 12 years. She also had an affinity for the Cayman Islands, where she moved more than three decades ago and raised her four daughters with their father, John Borden II.

Borden was attuned to village issues, frequently attending meetings and throwing her name into the hat for a council seat during the 2022 election. She was seeking a spot on the dais in the 2024 election for seat 2. She filed for candidacy on April 26.

“Angel was a jack of all trades

Angel Borden passed away at the age of 62 on July 29. FILE PHOTO

and would go out of her way to help those around her,” reads her obituary posted by Allen-Beyer Funeral Home. The cause of death wasn’t immediately known. The family will be holding a candlelight vigil in the Florida Keys, which will be followed by a funeral service and burial in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. Further details will be provided at a later date.

CANDIDATES & AMENDMENTS

Groups host forums ahead of important elections

Upper Keys voters are invited to two local events to learn more about the candidates and the six proposed amendments to the Florida Constitution on the Aug. 20 primary and Nov. 5 general election ballots.

An Upper Keys candidate meetand-greet will be held on Aug. 13 at the Crooked Palm Cabana, MM 90, bayside, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. This casual event will give voters a chance to speak directly with candidates. The event is free with a cash bar.

The Upper Keys Candidate Forum will be held on Oct. 10 at the Murray Nelson Government Center, MM 102, bayside, from 6 to 9 p.m. Candidates will be given a chance to address the audience and respond to questions about issues of concern to Upper Keys voters.

Also at the Oct. 10 event, the Upper Keys League of Women Voters will present information on the proposed constitutional amendments that will be on the ballot. Attendees will learn more about the decisions they make on partisan school board elections, special rights for hunting and fishing, marijuana use, governmental limits on abortions, homestead exemptions and public funding for statewide races.

There will be an opportunity to speak with the candidates from 5:30 to 6 p.m. The Friends of the Key Largo Cultural Center will host a cash bar. Light snacks will be provided by the hosts.

These events are the result of a collaboration among the Island of

Package of suspected cocaine found

A package containing 25 bricks of suspected cocaine was found by a fisherman offshore of north Key Largo at about 9:45 a.m. on July 28. The suspected drugs were turned over to the U.S. Border Patrol.

Two men cited for undersized fish

Two Florida men were given mandatory notice to appear in court citations for harvesting a myriad of undersized snapper at 11:31 a.m. Saturday near MM 72.

Key Largo Federation of Homeowner Associations (the federation), Upper Keys Business and Professional Women (BPW), Tavernier Community Association (TCA) and the Upper Keys League of Women Voters (UKLWV). These organizations are nonpartisan and do not endorse candidates or support political parties.

“The federation is proud to have consistently held candidate forums in Key Largo over the past two decades,” said Dottie Moses, president of the federation. “It is critical that voters hear directly from the candidates on issues of importance to our local community.”

“The Upper Keys BPW has organized its own meet-the-candidate events and forums for the community during every bi-annual election year since 1986,” said Jill Kuehnert, Upper Keys BPW president. “This year we’re thrilled to join forces with other leading nonpartisan organizations in the community in hosting this important event.”

Richard Barreto, president of the TCA, is pleased to be part of the forum at Murray Nelson as they have over the past decade.

“Voting is the cornerstone of our democracy, and the League is incredibly proud to serve the public as a trusted resource for voters with events like these,” said Barbara Overton, president of the Upper Keys League of Women Voters.

More information on both events is at www.upperkeyslwv.org or www. upperkeysbpw.org/events. — Contributed

Islamorada Marine Deputy Luis Guiardinu was conducting resource checks at the Channel Two Bridge when he found:

• Eliezer Perez Verdon, 42, of West Palm Beach, to be in possession of three undersized mutton snapper, two undersized schoolmaster snapper, two undersized yellowtail snapper and one undersized lane snapper.

• Omar Perez Verdon, 56, of Hialeah, to be in possession of two undersized mutton snapper and one undersized yellowtail snapper. For information on wildlife regulations go to www.myfwc.com.

BRIEFLY

Islamorada, Village of Islands REQUEST FOR PROPOS ALS

CANAL 132 RESTORATION GRAVITY

INFILTRAT ION WELL INST ALLAT ION

SERVIC ES RFP 24-14

Bid Submittal Dea dline: 3:00 p.m. August 29, 2024

Islamorada, Village of Islands (the “Village”) is seeking form al prop osals from qualified co ntracto rs to p rov ide Canal 132 Restoration Gravity Infiltration W ell Installation Serv ices, p er the plans, sp ecificatio ns, p ermits and scop e of serv ices prov ided by the V illage in RFP 24 -1 4

The technology to be utiliz ed for this restoration project is a gravity flow infiltration well This is the second canal restoration project within the Village to utilize an infiltration well.

Propo sals are requested fro m Contractors that hav e a demo nstrated ability to p erform the tasks identified in the Scop e of Serv ices and Deliv erables in th e R FP

Scan the QR code to view and download the bid document for complete information including the full scope of services, eligibility criteria, and submittal instructions.

Islamorada Village of Islands

Meeting Schedule August 2024

Unless otherwise noted, meetings are held at the Founders Park Community Center, 87000 Overseas Hwy., Islamorada

Wednesday, Aug. 7, 5:30 p.m. Village Council Meeting

Thursday, Aug. 8, 5:30 p.m. Land Use Village Council Meeting

Tuesday, Aug. 12, 5:30 p.m. Local Planning Agency Meeting

Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2:00 p.m. Code Compliance Hearing

Wednesday, Aug. 14, 10 a.m. Land Use Village Council Islamorada Administrative Center & Public Safety Headquarters, Third Floor Conference Room

Wednesday, Aug. 21, 3 p.m. Village Council Budget Workshop #1

Thursday, Aug. 22, 3 p.m. Village Council Budget Workshop #2

Friday, Aug. 23, 3 p.m. Village Council Budget Workshop #3

Two or more members from the Village Council and members from various Village Committees may be present at meetings. These meetings are open to the public. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, all persons who are disabled and who need special accommodations to participate in this meeting because of that disability should contact the ADA Coordinator at ADA@Islamorada.fl.us or by phone at 305-664-6448 at least 48 hours before the scheduled meeting.

To

To participate via Zoom, please scan code to the Village Calendar and refer to the Public Notice for specific meeting log-in information. The

THE LOBSTER LOWDOWN

Want an all-in-one primer as you get ready to hit the water for lobster season on Aug. 6? Unsure of how the rules differ from mini-season? The Keys Weekly has you covered.

THE FINE PRINT MATTERS WHEN HUNTING

• Recreational harvesters are required to possess a valid Florida saltwater fishing license with a current spiny lobster permit. They can be purchased online at gooutdoorsflorida. com/ or by calling 1-888-HUNT-FLORIDA (486-8356).

• Spiny lobster must have a minimum carapace length greater than 3 inches, and the measurement must take place in the water. The carapace is measured beginning at the forward edge between the rostral horns, excluding soft tissue and proceeding along the middle to the rear edge of the carapace. If a lobster gauge can fit over the end of the carapace, the lobster is TOO SHORT. All recreationally harvested lobster must remain in whole condition while at sea.

• Egg-bearing (berried) spiny lobster must be released unharmed. Stripping egg-bearing females of eggs, and possession of spiny lobster tails from which eggs have been removed, is prohibited. Eggs are orange, yellow, brown or red masses found covering the underside of the lobster’s tail.

• During mini-season, bully netting is the only legal way to harvest lobster at night, defined as one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise. Night diving is permitted during the regular season, but NOT during mini-season. Possession of bully nets or hoop nets are prohibited in Everglades National Park.

• It is a felony to molest, damage or take lobster from commercial traps.

• It is illegal to intentionally create “artificial habitat” for lobsters using items like cement blocks, pipes and other debris. It’s also illegal to harvest lobster from artificial habitat in state waters.

• Recreational trapping is prohibited.

LET’S TALK LIMITS

• The bag limit is six lobsters per active, licensed harvester per day in Monroe County, period. Making multiple trips to harvest the bag limit each time is ILLEGAL.

• Possession limits apply both on and off the water. The possession limit, even when off the water, is six lobsters per licensed harvester.

• Gear that could puncture, penetrate or crush the shell of the lobster is prohibited. It is illegal to spearfish lobster.

STAY AWAY

Most Keys cities have invoked special rules to cut down on neighboron-neighbor – and especially residenton-visitor – “turf wars.” Essentially, local rules establish a “no-go” zone to keep lobster hunters away from private property. In the following areas, there is no diving or snorkeling within 300 feet of enhanced residential or commercial shoreline, any man-made or private canal, or any public or private marina.

In Islamorada, Key West and unincorporated Monroe County, the rule applies during the three days prior to the sport season (July 21-23 in 2024), the entirety of the sport season (July 24-25) and the first five days of the regular season (Aug. 6-10). In Marathon, the rule only applies during sport season, and in Key Colony Beach, it applies from the four days preceding sport season through 10 days after the opening of regular season. The city of Layton has a prohibition on harvesting lobster any time from waters within city limits.

CARIBEE BOAT SALES AND MARINA

THE REGULAR SEASON BEGINS TUESDAY,

AUG. AND RUNS THROUGH MARCH

A legal size lobster, measured correctly.

If a lobster gauge can fit over the end of a carapace, the lobster is too short.

Lobsters bearing eggs, as side of the tail, must be released MONROE COUNTY TDC/Contributed

seen on the underreleased unharmed.

TDC/Contributed

REGULAR SEASON BEGINS TUESDAY, AUG. 6 RUNS THROUGH MARCH 31.

DON’T GO THERE…

While there are many spots to catch a sizable lobster, there are also many areas protected by a special set of rules. Know where you’re going before you head out.

Don’t lobster in these areas:

Sanctuary Preservation Areas (SPAs)

Carysfort Reef, The Elbow, Key Largo Dry Rocks, Grecian Rocks, French Reef, Molasses Reef, Conch Reef, Davis Reef, Hen and Chickens, Cheeca Rocks, Alligator Reef, Coffins Patch, Sombrero Key, Newfound Harbor Key, Looe Key, Eastern Dry Rocks, Rock Key, Sand Key.

Ecological Reserves

Western Sambo, Tortugas Ecological Reserve

Special-Use Research Only Areas (No Entry)

Conch Reef, Tennessee Reef, Looe Key Patch Reef, Eastern Sambo

Other closed areas (Year-round)

Everglades National Park, Dry Tortugas National Park, Biscayne Bay Card Sound Spiny Lobster Sanctuary, Biscayne National Park Coral Reef Protection Areas, City of Layton, John Pennekamp State Park Lobster Exclusion Zones

DIVE FLAG DETAILS

Divers and snorkelers in the water must display a diver-down flag. The flag must measure 12x12” if flown from a buoy or float, or 20x24” if flown from a vessel or other structure. Flags must be flown from a vessel’s highest point and must be visible from all directions. Divers should stay within 100 feet of their dive flags in channels, or within 100 yards of their flags in open water. Vessels inside these distances must fully slow down to idle speed.

1. Educators from Caribbean countries attend marine ecology workshops at MarineLab in Key Largo. MARINELAB/Contributed. 2. Educators from the U.S. and the Caribbean explore the reef. 3. Fortynine educators from the U.S. Caribbean and Costa Rica participated in MarineLab’s marine ecology teacher workshops. 4. Laboratory sessions highlight the diversity and abundance of nearshore waters, including the identification of zooplankton, a critical component of the marine food chain.

TEACHING SESSION ON THE WATER

MarineLab recently concluded its coastal marine ecology and advanced marine ecology teacher workshops, welcoming 49 educators from across the U.S., the Caribbean and Costa Rica.

Over a comprehensive five-day program, participants discovered MarineLab’s core curriculum, which covers seagrass, mangrove and coral reef ecology. The coastal marine ecology program introduced teachers to the fundamental aspects of Upper Keys marine ecology through discussions and hands-on exploration of seagrass, mangrove and coral reef habitats. The advanced marine ecology program enhanced this curriculum with citizen science and service-learning opportunities, incorporating new elements such as marine debris and the Florida Bay survey.

In preparation for their snorkeling field trips, teachers studied the interconnectedness of the marine environment, focusing on both abiotic and biotic factors influencing various marine communities. Participants learned to identify a range of marine organisms, from algae and invertebrates to fish. Laboratory sessions highlighted the diversity and abundance of nearshore waters, including the identification of zooplankton, a critical component of the marine food chain. The Citizen Science Microplastics Lab underscored the growing issue of ocean plastic pollution, with teachers collecting and analyzing water samples from Dry Rocks Reef. These results were then contributed to Florida’s Microplastic Awareness Project.

“MarineLab’s teacher workshop was a fantastic opportunity,” said Jennifer Zimmermann from Alabama. “The information I received has reignited my passion and excitement, which I can

now bring back to my students and community. The knowledge gained here will continue to grow and flourish beyond me. You all are doing such an important thing for the environment, the community, and inspiring future scientists.”

In 2021, MarineLab launched the Caribbean Teacher Initiative to foster a network for sharing information on tropical marine ecosystems and climate resiliency. This initiative has grown steadily, with nine Caribbean teachers attending in its inaugural year, 13 last year, and nine more this year. The 2024 Caribbean Teacher Initiative workshop was funded by Humana South Florida and Carl & Charlotte Taylor through the Adam Taylor Memorial Fund. This year’s participants hailed from islands such as the Bahamas and Saint Maarten, with a notable attendee from Limón, Costa Rica.

Valeria Quesada Phillips, a teacher from Costa Rica, expressed her excitement.

“I live and work on Limón’s Caribbean coast and teach ecology and biology at the Atlantic Scientific High School. Discovering the coastal marine ecology (workshop) has been thrilling,” she said. “I am eager to expand my knowledge and bring interactive teaching methods to my students.”

Tanya Grant, another participant from the Bahamas, praised the workshop, saying, “It was a pleasure meeting people from different countries, occupations, and age groups. The diversity of knowledge about ecosystems made the discussions more engaging. Learning from both the instructors and fellow participants has deepened my interest in ecological studies beyond my home territory.”

Raschein

STATE RELEASES SCHOOL GRADES

Monroe County gets 8 A schools, 6 Bs and 3 Cs

The Florida Department of Education released school grades last week and Monroe County Schools showed significant gains across all areas, according to a statement from the school district.

Six schools improved a letter grade and 10 schools maintained their grade from last year. Poinciana Elementary, Plantation School, Treasure Village Montessori and Somerset Prep each improved to an A grade. Key Largo School moved to a B grade and May Sands Montessori improved to a C.

Overall, there were eight A-graded schools in the district: Poinciana Elementary, Plantation School, Sigsbee Charter School, College of the Florida Keys (CFK) Academy, Ocean Studies Charter, Somerset Prep Academy, Treasure Village Montessori; six B-graded schools: Coral Shores High School, Key West High School, Marathon Middle/High School, Sugarloaf School, Stanley Switlik Elementary, Key Largo School; and three C-graded schools: Gerald Adams Elementary, Horace O’Bryant School and May Sands Montessori.

CFK Academy is the district’s newest charter school, and its leaders said they are proud of their initial accomplishments with an A grade.

MICHELE ‘MICKEY’ ANNETTE BRINDLE

Oct. 18, 1947 — July 17, 2024

Michele Brindle passed away peacefully on July 17, 2024, with her husband Richard holding her hand.

Michele was born in Jersey City, New Jersey but moved to Gillette, New Jersey in 1957. She graduated grade school from Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic School and high school from Bayley Ellard Catholic High School. She was a typical Jersey girl, hanging out with friends and her very large, active family.

camped with a travel trailer and spent time at the Jersey shore and just did all the things with school, sports and family.

“Just a few years ago, we set a vision to establish new educational opportunities to further serve the families of our community,” said CFK President Jonathan Gueverra. “Today, we have an A grade high school that demonstrates our commitment to academic excellence and innovation. CFK employees and especially CFK Academy principal Wendy McPherson and her staff have put an incredible amount of time, energy and creativity to get the Academy functioning at its peak.”

One of the most noteworthy improvements was in learning gains. Monroe County School District is close to reaching its strategic plan’s goal of 62% learning gains overall with 61% in math and 60% in English/language arts.

The district received an overall grade of B, earning 62% points overall, just two percentage points from an A. With this improvement, the district moves up in state rankings from 36th to 26th place among all 60 or so Florida school districts.

“I am very proud of the work we have done in the district,” said Superintendent Theresa Axford. “Principals and teachers have been focused and it has made a difference for our students.”

— Contributed

In 1966, while working at a grocery store in Warren, she met the guy she would marry, Richard Brindle. Now she lived in Gillette and Richard lived in Stirling, two towns separated by 2 or 3 miles, but because she went to Catholic school, and he went to public school, they had never met. She remembered better than I did that we watched the first Super Bowl together at my parents’ house in 1967. Now it almost didn’t happen. Those of you from that time will understand, she drove a Ford Mustang and I drove a Chevy Belair and Ford and Chevy people didn’t talk to each other, except to argue which was a better car.

Fortunately, we got past it and were married Jan. 10, 1970, in St. Vincent RC Church in Stirling, New Jersey. We started a life together which would last for 54 years. We were fortunate to buy a small bungalow in Berkeley Heights where we lived for 46 years. Now the house was basically a small, converted summer home and as we welcomed our three sons, Chris, Jon and Jason. Over the years we quickly outgrew the house, but because of the quality of the town and school system didn’t want to move. So, with the help of family and friends we tore down the original house in sections and built a new 4-bedroom house. The boys all pitched in and learned a lot from the work we did. We traveled and

Michele was the steady hand in the family and was a wonderful mother and wife. She raised our sons to be honest hard-working men. From the early years to adulthood, she challenged them to be their best. She also taught them how to cook and clean and take care of themselves. But mostly she taught them love and good manners and respect for others and kindness.

As my wife, love of my life, partner, friend and voice of reason she was everything any man could hope for. We worked hard together but always made time for ourselves. We made a good life for ourselves and our sons and as the years went by, we traveled and started taking cruises on Holland America and on our 50th anniversary took a 31-day round trip from Fort Lauderdale to San Diego and back and just relaxed and enjoyed ourselves. We also traveled in our motorhome and the year before Covid spent 3 months on the road just exploring and being together. We were just planning to start traveling again and were looking to move to Tennessee when health concerns took over.

Michele will be laid to rest in Saint Vincent Cemetery in New Jersey after a mass in Saint Vincent church, the church we were married in.

Michele is survived by her loving husband and partner Richard, son Christopher and his wife Dawn and son Jonathan and his girlfriend Sara. The ashes of our son Jason who passed away in 2022 will be laid to rest with her.

Services in New Jersey will be from Valley Memorial Funeral home in Gillette New Jersey. Please see their web site as arrangements have not yet been finalized.

SIDEWALK

HABITAT RESTORE

Up to 50% off select ReStore merchandise

Furniture, home décor, building materials, appliances and more $20+ purchase/donation eligible to win a $100 ReStore gift certificate

Every purchase directly contributes to building stronger communities and brighter futures.

HOME BUYER + RENTAL

Affordable 2-3 bedroom homeownership opportunities

Eligibility criteria, benefits of homeownership, and how to apply for a home.

Habitat for Humanity Qualified Loan Originator on site

Homes in Islamorada, Tavernier and Key Largo Rentals also available

ANCHORED IN ACTION Mission group goes to work in the Keys

Anchor and Vine Global Outreach (AVGO) completed its week-long Florida Keys mission on July 16, during which its team, consisting of 15 teen volunteers, engaged in community service and conservation efforts while strengthening global connections.

A highlight of the program was a partnership with Islamorada’s Bluewater Church. Aboard the Sailor’s Choice, AVGO volunteers bonded with the Bluewater community for a “fishing ministry,” during which the team caught fish with local fishermen. A Christian nonprofit, AVGO’s team, consisting of teens from Community Church of Waterford in Goshen, Indiana, assisted the church with several projects and attended its worship services.

“Looking ahead, we are excited to continue this partnership as one united body,” said Alexis Scanlon of Bluewater. “Future plans include additional ocean and mangrove cleanups, feeding the homeless, aiding those in need with building and maintenance projects, and much more.”

Alongside the Conch Republic Marine Army volunteer organization, the Anchor and Vine team participated in an ocean cleanup and planted mangroves. Conservation and environmental restoration efforts were a key concern during the mission. The volunteers also assisted CRMA with building accessible infrastructure for a local business owner.

The team showed support to first responders, providing breakfasts to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Marathon station and Monroe County Fire and Rescue Islamorada station. They distributed essential items to Key West’s homeless population,

offering hope and care to people in need.

In addition to community service, the mission provided time for personal and spiritual growth in its participants. Volunteers participated in various team-building activities on the water, bookended by discipleship workshops, worship sessions and Bible study, which allotted the team time to reflect on their experiences and personal journeys of faith.

Previously, AVGO had held missions in Costa Rica, Puerto Rico and Peru. The Keys mission experience was the first “large group” mission, and focused on environmental restoration and conservation, whereas previous missions had focused on poverty alleviation, disaster relief and evangelism in remote areas.

“We have found plenty of (spiritual) need here in the Keys. ... This isn’t a place you come to and expect to find Jesus; the Keys are an escape,” said Michael-John Waite, founder and executive director of AVGO.

The mission catered to local needs and intentional community interaction.

“Here in the Keys, everything is about the water. So, we build our programs, partnerships and relationships with that in mind,” said Waite. “As we like to say, ‘Sometimes it’s easier to talk to people about Jesus on a boat than to ask them to come to church.’ Church is vital, but sometimes it comes after the relationship and trust has been built.”

Anchor and Vine, an outreach program dedicated to “no-harm” initiatives connecting global citizens with the word of Christ, plans to continue its work for the Keys and to maintain its partnerships with Bluewater and Conch Republic Marine Army.

1. The AVGO team consists of 15 volunteers, including teens from Community Church of Waterford in Goshen, Indiana. CONTRIBUTED. 2. Anchor and Vine Global Outreach volunteers attend a day-long ‘fishing ministry’ on board the Sailor’s Choice. 3. Anchor and Vine Global Outreach partnered with Islamorada’s Bluewater Church last July. The groups hope to maintain their partnership, with future plans including additional ocean and mangrove cleanups.

CHURCH LAUNCHES COMMUNITY COMPOSTING OPPORTUNITY

Coral Isles Church on Plantation Key in Islamorada recently started a community composting project with an educational event and hands-on demonstration.

Melody Tuschel, Monroe County recycling coordinator, and Maria Quirico, University of Florida Extension office horticulture agent, began the event with presentations to a group of about 20 church and community members. They pointed out the problems created by food waste, including production of methane gas, and explained the benefits of composting.

According to the EPA, about a third of our nation’s food is wasted. Food waste in landfills accounts for some 58% of the methane gas created, and 61% of that gas is not captured for energy use. Composting food waste puts organic nutrients into the soil and keeps it out of landfills.

The event ended with a demonstration by Tuschel on how to fill the composting bin at the church. She layered paper, food waste and yard waste to create the right recipe for composting. These ma-

terials will decompose and create a nutrient-dense soil product for gardens.

“We want to be known as the congregation in the community that is a leader on environmental issues and as the place where people go for creation care,” said Rev. Dr. Bruce Havens, of Coral Isles Church. “Climate change is a deeply spiritual issue we are facing, and that spiritual view is widely shared in the congregation.”

“Coral Isles Church cares deeply about protecting creation,” said Barbara Overton, mission chair for the church. “We are already engaged in plastic reduction and environmental advocacy. It’s exciting to add this composting program and the opportunity to partner with the community to divert food waste from the landfill.”

The church invites the community to bring food waste to the bin every first Sunday of the month from 11:30 a.m. to noon. Information on the materials that can be composted can be found on the church’s Facebook page or by contacting the church office. — Contributed

Coral Isles Church recently launched a new composting project allowing the congregation and community to dispose of food waste every first Sunday of the month from 11:30 a.m. to noon. CONTRIBUTED

LIGHTNING STRIKE

New Florida Keys baseball clubs win championships

1. The 8U baseball team Florida Keys Lightning is coached by Daryl Chou, Dale Smith, AJ Engelmeyer and Dr. Dave Coppola. CONTRIBUTED. 2. The Florida Keys Baseball Club recently won its first major regional since its founding in 2023. CONTRIBUTED.

3. The Florida Keys Baseball Club’s 11U team were this year’s District 8 Champions.

ZACK WOLTANSKI www.keysweekly.com

The Florida Keys Baseball Club’s 11U and 8U teams dominated against regional teams this July, making this the first season that a Keys team has won against other travel squads.

In a weekend tournament July 13-14, the 11U team Florida Keys Lightnings first beat the Homestead Mets 17-7. After a loss to the Plantation team, the Lightnings again beat Homestead 12-2. The Lightning secured victory in a second game against Plantation Predator, winning 12-2 and the championship overall.

The 8U team was no less successful in their games. The 8U Lightning started off strong with an 18-7 victory against Homestead, with three runs in the first inning alone. Facing off against the Big Pine A’s, the Lightning had yet another strong victory, ending the game in the fifth inning with a score of 12-2. The 8U team finished the tournament with a victory against Plantation, winning the championship with a final 10-0 game against Marathon.

The July tournament marks the first time the club has won against travel teams. The Florida Keys Baseball Club, a nonprofit, was established in May of last year. For the first season the club consisted of a single team with 10 players, and has since expanded to incorporate two teams with 28 rostered players.

Founded by Al and Whitney Garcia and Dale and Jessica Smith, the club consists of an 8U team, coached by Daryl Chou, Dale Smith, AJ Engelmeyer and Dr. Dave Coppola, and an 11U team, coached by Al Garcia, Chris Hessing and Josh Moreira. As a charitable organization, the club requires no team fees or league fees to join.

In co-founding the club, Al Garcia made it his mission to establish baseball in the Upper Keys.

“A lot of our baseball players that grow up in the Keys tend to travel to Miami looking for competitive baseball,” he said. “We want the Keys kids to play baseball in the Keys.”

“In a way this is my passion project and I want to contribute to the Keys. This is my way of trying to give back and to share my love of baseball,” said Garcia.

THE ULTIMATE TEST

Key Largo Triathlon returns Aug. 18

Athletes can test their physical and mental stamina by competing in the Key Largo Triathlon, set for Sunday, Aug. 18 at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.

The racing challenge, produced by Game On! Race Events and presented by City Bikes, includes swimming in calm waters off the beach at Pennekamp; biking on U.S. 1, known as the Florida Keys Overseas Highway; and running through the state park and Key Largo areas.

Competitors can choose the Olympic-distance or sprint-distance triathlon or duathlon or the Olympic aquabike event. Relay teams can compete in the Olympic triathlon or duathlon, with individual team members tackling different legs of the selected races.

The Olympic-distance triathlon features a 0.9-mile swim, a 24.8-mile bicycle ride through north Key Largo and a 6.2-mile run. Sprint-distance contenders will complete a 0.25-mile swim, 12-mile bike ride and 3.5-mile run.

Olympic aquabike entrants complete a 0.9-mile swim and 24.8-mile bike ride. Olympic duathlon athletes run for 1 mile, bike 24.8 miles and then run 6.2 miles; sprint-distance duathlon entrants run for 1 mile, bike 12 miles and then run another 3.5 miles.

There are also two options for differently abled people to participate in the days’ athletic activities with volunteers through Special Compass Power Buddies.

Participants can pick up race packets from noon to 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16, at City Bike Aventura at 20335 Biscayne Blvd. in Aventura, Florida.

Pickup in Key Largo is at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, and on race day from 5:30 to 6:30

a.m. at the race site.

A first-timer’s clinic is scheduled at 2 p.m. Saturday during the Pennekamp Park packet pickup.

Sunday’s races will have staggered starts from 6:40 a.m. to 7:20 a.m. All participants should arrive at the race venue by 5:30 a.m.

A post-event party and awards ceremony will take place at Pennekamp’s Cannon Beach. Awards await the top three finishers in varying age groups, top three overall male and female finishers, and top three male and female masters (age 40 and above).

One northbound lane of U.S. 1 from MM 102.5 (the entrance to Pennekamp Park) to MM 105 will be coned off for cyclists’ use between 6:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Sunday. The other northbound lane will remain open to vehicular traffic.

Race registration, information and course maps are at keylargotriathlon. com.

Triathlon competitors during the 2023 Key Largo Triathlon produced by Game On! Race Events. JONELL MODYS/Florida Keys News Bureau

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

TAX MAN VISITS THE FOX DEN

Comedy & paddle fundraisers upcoming

Hi friends! Reef the fox here with your weekly “Reef’s Report.”

Reef meets up with his old friend Sam Steele, Monroe County tax collector. PAWSITIVE BEGINNINGS/Contributed

HOPE

Hope is finishing raising her two puppies and will soon need a furever home when they go off to theirs. The vet thinks Hope is somewhere between 2-4 years old. She is housebroken, crate trained, walks great on a leash and loves everyone. Her foster mom and others say she’s a good girl and super sweet and affectionate. Apply today at www.MPRescues. org/adoption-applications.

Reef is a red fox that was saved from a fur farm. He now lives in Key Largo with his human, Nicole Navarro.

My good buddy, Sam Steele, stopped by last week to visit me and get a sneak peek of the Human-Animal Alliance Healing Den. Steele was instrumental in helping my mom, Nicole Navarro, secure the grant funds for the den by writing a letter of support for Pawsitive Beginnings. Many people supported us behind the scenes for this project and I know my mom is excited to share it with those people at the end of the month during the private ribboncutting ceremony.

My mother also went away for a few days and I am sorry to say we foxes weren’t very well behaved for our human grandma. We decided to dig a hole in the twin size bed mattress we have in the fox room and

make a mess of all the foam. It may or may not have been Coral that took the lead on that. I will not snitch on my fellow foxes. I can tell you that Jasper loved the mess and decided to plop down in the middle of it and take a nice long nap.

Our big joint fundraiser is tomorrow night at the Murray Nelson Center in Key Largo. We hope all of our friends and fox lovers will join my mom and her friend Erin Allison, who is the director of the Florida Keys Wild Bird Center for a night of laughter to benefit both of our nonprofits.

There is another fun event coming up on Aug. 14 to benefit a friend of ours. There will be a Locals Paddle with Paddle the Florida Keys, located at 90773 Old Highway in Tavernier. This is a free event with a $10 suggested donation toward Crustacean Plantation. Each month Paddle partners with a different nonprofit to raise funds for a cause.

Anywho, that’s all for this week. Stay up to date with all things fox by visiting our website at pawsitivebeginnings.org then head to our social media links to follow our pages. Until next time, Reef, over and out!

Thursday, Aug. 1

• Yappy Hour, hosted by MarrVelous Pet Rescue, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Islamorada Beer Company. Dogs are invited and admission is free.

Friday, Aug. 2

• Flocks on the Rocks BBQ fundraiser benefiting the Florida Keys Wild Bird Center, starting at 11 a.m. at the Caribbean Club.

• Comedy for a Cause event, benefiting the Florida Keys Wild Bird Center and Pawsitive Beginnings, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Murray Nelson Government Center. The show is restricted to adults 21-plus, and basic admission starts at $35.

Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 3-4

• History of Diving Museum free general admission for Bank of America cardholders. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 6

• Regular lobster season opens in the Keys.

• National Night Out Against Crime community event from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Founders Park and Key Largo Park. Meet local law enforcement and enjoy equipment demonstrations, crime and drug prevention awareness talks, food and activities.

Wednesday, Aug. 7

• JOY classes from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. at the Monroe County Plantation Key Community Center. Visit justolderyouthinc.org for a full list of activities.

• Islamorada Village Council meeting, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in Founders Park.

Thursday, Aug. 8

• Free summer story hour and activities from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Florida Keys History and Discovery Center.

• Social networking lunch meeting “Growing Trends in Economic Fraud” with guest speaker Dwight Hill of First Horizon Bank, 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Key Largo. Tickets are $30 for members and $35 for nonmembers, and registration is available at keylargochamber.org.

• Florida Keys Scenic Corridor Alliance annual meeting from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Hampton Inn, 13351 Overseas Hwy in Marathon. Learn more about the Florida Keys scenic highway. The meeting, lunch and membership fee is $40 all inclusive. To register, contact Judy Hull at 305-3943539 or email director@islamoradachamber.com.

• Land Use Village Council Meeting, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Founders Park.

THE FOX

SAVE THE DATE

AN ISOLATED DISASTER

Community stands tall despite all the downed trees and debris

We have a small concrete house on Plantation Key. When we bought it in 2012, we first fell in love with the front yard’s trees and the shade and privacy they afforded. Inside, the two-bedroom, one-bath house has an open floor plan. Our couch rests against the far coral-colored wall.

On a recent Sunday, at about 11 p.m., I was on the couch watching the new season of “Cobra Kai.” The show follows the lives of the Karate Kid and his foe, Daniel LaRusso, played by the barely-aging Ralph Macchio. Sometimes, when I am on the couch watching television at night, fireflies light up as they fly between the green buttonwoods outside and the window above the sofa.

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.

That Sunday night, lightning flashed through the window like great crackling sheets once, twice, three times. I heard rain falling and was happy that the yard was getting real water. And then there was this rumble. When I looked up at the window, the lightning flashed again, and tropical forces were blowing through the buttonwood trees. The rumble got louder, the lights flickered, and some other louder noise that I did not recognize reverberated through the house.

I sat up straight on the couch, grabbed the arm, and the television went dark. Everything went dark. The lack of power turned everything off but the brief roar of the wind raging outside. As suddenly as it came down, it vanished. I walked to my desk, picked up my phone, and slipped my feet into the Kino

sandals. I don’t know what I expected to see when I opened the front door. I did not expect to see a roof panel on the concrete patio floor, cracked timbers overhead, and a large gumbo tree lying outside with one of its old, thick, sunburned limbs crushing the roof.

The gumbo limbo is sometimes referred to as the tourist tree because its reddish, flaking bark lends the appearance of peeling skin. The tree obstructed the egress. Before slipping out the back door, I checked on Michelle, the dog and the cat. I wanted to know what had happened. By 11:30, all the neighbors were standing in the street, pointing flashlight beams around, trying to make sense of what had just happened.

“Was it a tornado?”

“I think it was a tornado.”

The isolated damage it left behind was certainly tornadoesque. Alas, the professionals called it a microburst, not a tornado. Microbursts develop within a storm system and materialize as a localized column of sinking air, a downdraft that strikes the ground, producing straight-line winds that can exceed 100 mph.

Microbursts are dangerous and can be equated with up to an EF 1 tornado. Tornadoes are rated much like hurricanes. Whereas hurricanes are categorized according to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, tornadoes are rated on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, which ranges from an EF 0 (65-85 mph winds) to an EF 5 (over 200 mph winds). One of the big differences between a tornado and a microburst is that the winds swirl in a tornado and do not in a microburst.

Tornadoes are assigned their scale based on the wind speed and damage caused by the event. Meteorologists estimated that the sudden downdraft that blew through our neighborhood had winds in the 65- to 85-mph range, or those associated with an EF 0 tornado. Whatever arrived that late Sunday

A large tree crashed down onto Bertelli’s Sioux Street home following a microburst event on July 21. BRAD BERTELLI/Contributed

night was over and done within a matter of minutes. And then, the community love came pouring out. By 11:45 p.m., chainsaws were buzzing and slicing away at the thick branches of the old- growth ficus that had sheared away in the meteorological event and were now blocking the street. A Bobcat was moving pieces of tree trunks to the side of the street. After the sun rose Monday morning, Sioux Street again filled with neighbors as cars and trucks filed past, slowing down to look closer, and golf carts — a lot of neighborhood golf carts.

You can say a lot of things about the Florida Keys, but you cannot deny its sense of community. It was on full display Monday and Tuesday as people showed up with chainsaws and gloves fitted to helping hands – and pizza. A young man from the neighborhood rode up on a bicycle with a chainsaw in its basket. He stopped, put his foot on the kickstand, and, with a pull, brought the chainsaw to life. But that is just what happens when things become unfortunate, go wrong, or something devastating unfolds. The people of the Florida Keys pull together.

From down the street, Jerry came rumbling with his Bobcat, and as he worked, the piles of tree trunks and limbs grew bigger and higher. When professional landscapers arrived to cut through the biggest trees, the piles grew longer and higher still. For our little house, the damage far exceeded what we experienced in 2017’s Hurricane Irma.

Most of our beautiful trees are gone, and along with them, our sense of privacy. In time, the yard will recover and will be replanted with sun-loving plants that will grow, and the yard will begin to resemble the one we fell in love with in 2012. Of course, the tropics are just heating up, and August and September are just around the corner. Hopefully, this is the last hit we take this season. If not, we have been reassured by the scale of community love the Florida Keys keeps in its collective tank.

‘CATCH’ A GOOD TIME

Key Largo restaurant is the locals’ choice

SAMANTHA DELLILO

is a Keys native who has a passion for all things food. She runs the local food blog, “Florida Keys Eats.”

At the Catch, located at MM 102, the chalkboard menu ensures that the food options are always changing; however, one thing remains constant: the good times. When I’m in limbo between being a social butterfly or simply in the mood to relax and stay in, I often find myself drawn to the Catch.

There’s an effortlessly inviting atmosphere there, where the vibe is casual and unpretentious, yet everyone seems to be enjoying themselves and chit-chatting. Driving down U.S. 1, blink and you could miss it. It’s a modest shack-like Keys pub with a constantly filled parking lot. Walking through the front door can be intimidating, as it enters directly into the middle of one of three quaint dining rooms. But don’t let that scare you, as you’ll quickly be welcomed in and offered a drink. As you step inside, be sure to notice immediately to your right, a feature I particularly love: a large, current stack of Keys Weekly newspapers.

Just last week, I made it to my first trivia night, which takes place every Tuesday at 6 p.m. The experience was a blast and added a fun and competitive twist to my visit. Trivia night has been organized and run by local Keys resident Sean Dickens for the past eight years. He puts together a dynamic mix of questions and an accompanying playlist that keeps everyone’s attention.

Maybe it was because I was nervous, but I found myself stumped by many of his questions, though the answers seemed obvious in hindsight. Sean noted, “I like to write the questions backwards a lot of the time; there’s some psychology that goes into them as well, based off of my observations over the years.”

The Catch is known for its “neighborly” pub atmosphere and simple bar bites. The classic half-pound burger is the most popular menu choice among visitors. Mark stumbled across their bayou chicken pasta and that has been his usual order unless he’s in a mahi reuben mood. A nearby table of week-

options at the Catch include peanut

blueberry cake, to name a few.

ly trivia regulars who saw me photographing my food came over to tell me that their absolute favorite thing on the menu, which they also considered the biggest bang for your buck, were the Irish nachos, which they said were ideal for sharing with your trivia team. Homemade chips smothered in cheddar, bacon and scallions.

My go-to dish on the menu for years now is the Wednesday special: bacon-wrapped meatloaf, complete with all the traditional sides — creamy mashed potatoes, savory gravy, crisp green beans and a warm dinner roll. The portion is generous, so come hungry.

There are also a few specials I’ve yet to try. For example, the Thursday Thanksgiving special features turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy and cranberry sauce, while Friday’s offering includes a prime rib au jus. Additionally, they cater to various dietary needs with gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian menu options which can be found on their website under the menus tab.

When you hear the term local watering hole, it doesn’t actually mean water — just a reminder for the more literal people out there. Cue the full liquor bar, order any drink you’d like or check out their cocktail menu for suggestions. You’re not going to find any basil-slapped fresh strawberry

and

muddled drinks here, but the beer’s cold and the liquor pours are strong. Funny enough, they actually make an outstanding cosmopolitan martini, which I know doesn’t match the vibe, but hey, a good drink is a good drink.

The desserts are made locally and include Mark’s favorite rum cake, which is a delightful way to end the evening, featuring a moist texture and a rich, sweet rum flavor in every bite. On our recent visit, we sampled the new lemon blueberry cake, and it was definitely worth every calorie.

If you’re in the mood for fancy and upscale, this may not be the spot for you. If you appreciate a straightforward, no-fuss night with great service, this is it. I would hate to classify the Catch as a dive bar since it offers a very family-friendly atmosphere. I wouldn’t call it a typical hole in the wall either, definitely a step up from that. It just feels local, it is local. For the best experience, call ahead to check the live music schedule, usually on Friday and Saturday. The close quarters, live band and frosty beer give a slight honky tonk vibe and I’m all for it.

Another thing to love about the Catch is it’s a great post-boat-day dinner spot. Feel free to roll in there with tousled hair, a swim suit cover-up and a sunburn; no one will bat an eye. The vibe is relaxed and easygoing. See you at the Catch.

REEL RECS

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

What: The Producers (1967)

Why: This was Mel Brooks’ directorial debut, and immediately his signature irreverent and sharp sense of humor is noticeable. The idea of a couple of con artists intentionally making a flop so they could file the loss and, ironically, become more profitable rings even more true today than it did in 1967, thanks to streaming services infamously doing that very same thing with their original content. Add to that the magic duo of Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder, the former’s manic energy hilariously complementing the latter’s neurotic cowardice, and you’ll thank us for the 90 minutes well spent. We are not liable, however, for any humming of “Springtime for Hitler” at your local supermarket that may follow.

Where: You can get this movie from the Monroe County Public Library on DVD or on Kanopy, the library’s streaming app.

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

Recommended by: Kelvin Cedeño, library assistant, Islamorada library branch.

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

1. Classic chalkboard ‘the Catch’ sign. SAMANTHA DELLILO/Keys Weekly. 2. Lemon blueberry cake. 3. Bayou chicken pasta has all the Cajun colors. 4. Dessert

butter pie, carrot cake

lemon

On this day: In 1957, the United States and Canada a ounced the forma on of the North American Aerospace Defense Co and (NORAD).

In The Bleachers

The force is de nitely with these folks in Mexico City — students of the Jedi Knight Academy, who m t in a park four nights a w k to prac ce their lightsaber dueling ski s, the A ociated Pre reported on June 21. “When students a ive, some of them drop the saber,” said instructor Ulises Vazquez, who’s known as the Jedi master. He said they go on to become “exce ent athletes and exce ent lightsaber ghters and fencers.” The se ions, which last thr hours, are based on Jedi and Sith teachings.

Adam

Brevity

News of the Weird

Founded by Betty Debnam

Racing to Indiana

Indiana, a midwestern state, joined the Union in 1816 as our 19th state. The land was inhabited by native people for many centuries; the Shawnee, Miami, Illini and others were living in the area when Europeans arrived.

The first European to explore the area was probably Rene-Robert Cavalier, Sieur de La Salle, in 1679. French fur traders were the first Europeans to settle in the area. The British claimed the area after the French and Indian Wars in 1763.

Indiana is known as the Hoosier State, a nickname that probably started with an 1833 poem by John Finley called “The Hoosier’s Nest.” Indiana adopted the nickname more than 150 years ago.

INDIANA TODAY

With about 6.7 million people, Indiana ranks 17th among the states in population. It is the 38th-largest state in area.

The capital, Indianapolis, is also the largest city. In the 20th century, Indiana became a leader in manufacturing, making automobiles and car parts, steel and pharmaceuticals. Farmers also raise corn, soybeans and egg-laying chickens.

Companies ship products through the Great Lakes’ St. Lawrence Seaway and on the

THE SPORTING LIFE

Motorsports are huge in Indiana, the home of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Each year on Memorial Day, it hosts the Indianapolis 500, the largest single-day sporting event in the world.

Indiana’s professional sports teams include:

• the NBA’s Indiana Pacers

• the WNBA’s Indiana Fever

• the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts

Interestingly, more NBA players have come from Indiana, on average, than any other state.

EDUCATION

Indiana is home to many colleges and universities, including Indiana University, Purdue University, the University of Notre Dame and many technical and training schools.

INDIANA FACT-A-ROONIES

• Forests cover about 21% of the state.

• The Raggedy Ann Doll was first created in Indianapolis in 1914 by cartoonist Johnny Gruelle. He wrote stories about the doll for his daughter.

• The Indianapolis Zoo features thousands of animals such as tigers and elephants in cageless natural habitats.

People in Italy within the highly populated caldera of an ancient supervolcano spent the night outdoors, in tents or in their cars after the strongest tremors on record jolted the volcanic area. Phlegraean Fields is located just west of Naples. The nearby city of Pozzuoli, home to more than 800,000 people, has seen the landscape changed during the past year by seismic activity brought on by magma flowing below. There have long been plans in place to swiftly evacuate the area should an eruption seem imminent.

FAMOUS HOOSIERS

• William Henry Harrison, who once was the governor of the Indiana Territory, was our ninth president. His grandson, Benjamin Harrison, was our 23rd president. He was born in Ohio but moved to Indiana to practice law. Abraham Lincoln, our 16th president, lived much of his childhood in the state.

• Pop artist

Michael Jackson and his brothers and sisters were born in Gary, Indiana.

• Charles “Chuck” Taylor, born in Brown County, Indiana, in 1901, was a basketball player and worked for the Converse Rubber Shoe Co. He helped redesign and improve the basketball shoes that became known as Chuck Taylor All Stars, or “Chucks.”

• Orville Redenbacher was an agricultural scientist whose hybrid popping corn was introduced in 1970 under his name. He was born in Brazil, Indiana. You can see a statue of him in Lincoln Park in Valparai-

RESOURCES

On the Web:

• bit.ly/MPIndiana

At the library:

• “What’s Great About Indiana?” by Candice Ransom

• “The Story of the Indiana Fever” by Jim Whiting

Ohio River.

photo by Joshua Cornelius

The Jackson 5 perform in 1972.

The Indiana flag

Mini Fact: Today, race cars at the Indy 500 might zip by at more than 230 mph. At the first race in 1911, the winning speed was 75 mph.

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES • 305.743.0844

CORRECTED NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO REIMPOSE AND PROVIDE FORCOLLECTION OF SOLID WASTE SERVICE SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS

Notice is hereby given that the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida, (BOCC) will conduct a Public Hearing to consider reimposing solid waste service assessments for the Fiscal Year beginning October 1, 2024, against certain improved residential properties located within Monroe County, the City of Marathon, the City of Layton, and the City of Key Colony Beach, to fund the cost of solid waste collection services, facilities and programs provided to such properties, and to authorize collection of such assessments on the tax bill.

The Public Hearing will be held at 9:00 A.M., on August 21, 2024, at the Harvey Government Center, 1200 Truman Avenue, Key West, Florida 33040. The public can attend the Public Hearing in person, or via Zoom, for the purpose of contributing or receiving public comments on the proposed assessments. The Zoom link can be found in the electronic meeting agenda at the following address: http://monroecountyfl.iqm2.com/citizens/default.aspx.

All affected property owners have a right to appear at the hearing, in person or virtually, and to file written objections with the County Commission, within 20 calendar days of the first publication date of this notice. Pursuant to section 286.0105, Florida Statutes, notice is given that if a person decides to appeal any decision made by the County Commission with respect to any matter considered at the hearing, such person will need a record of the proceedings, and may need to ensure that a verbatim record is made, including the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be made. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons needing a special accommodation or an interpreter to participate in this proceeding should contact the County Administrator’s Office at 305-292-4441, at least 48 hours prior to the date of the hearing. If hearing or voice-impaired, contact the Florida Relay Service Number, by dialing “711” for assistance.

The total annual solid waste assessment revenue to be collected within Monroe County, the City of Marathon, the City of Layton, and the City of Key Colony Beach for the upcoming fiscal year is estimated to be $19,310,016.00. The rate of assessment for the upcoming fiscal year shall be $548.58 per residential dwelling unit. The maximum rate of assessment that can be imposed in the Fiscal Year commencing October 1, 2024, and future fiscal years, shall be $548.58 per residential dwelling unit. Copies of the legal documentation for the assessment program will be made available upon request by contacting the County Administrator’s Office at (305) 292-4441, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. If you have any questions, please call the County Solid Waste Management Department at 305-295-4323 or 305-292-4536, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M.

The assessments will be collected on the ad valorem tax bill to be mailed in November, 2024, as authorized by section 197.3632, Florida Statutes. Failure to pay the assessments will cause a tax certificate to be issued against the property, which may result in a loss of title.

A person may submit written or other physical evidence on a particular agenda item for consideration at the August 21, 2024 BOCC meeting to: Krystal Gomez, via email at: Gomez-Krystal@monroecounty-fl.gov, or by mail to: The County Administrator’s Office, 1100 Simonton Street, Suite 205, Key West, FL 33040. The documents must be received by 3:00 P.M., on August 16, 2024, and must include the submitter’s name, address, phone number, email address, and the agenda item number to which the documents refer.

DATED at Key West, Monroe County, Florida, this 27th day of July, 2024.

Kevin Madok, Clerk of the Circuit Court and ex officio Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida

LEGAL NOTICES

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

U-HAUL COMPANY OF MIAMI

Notice is hereby given that on August 12th, 2024, Leonard Richford Jr. Storage Auctioneer, Executive Administrator for U-Haul Company of Miami, Will be offering for sale under the Judicial Lien Process, By Public Auction, the following storage units. The Terms of the sale will be cash only. U-Haul Company does reserve the right to refuse any bids. The sales will Begin at 8:00 a.m. and continue day by day until all units are sold. The names of whose units will be sold are as follows: 103530 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037

Sheila Chamberlain – 1167

$424.15

Sherrian Cotter – 1732

$566.34

Publish: July 25 and August 1, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

LEGAL NOTICES

DISTRICT I ADVISORY COMMITTEE (DAC I) (Encompasses the City Limits of Key West) of the MONROE COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

has an opening for an “At Large” representative - Any resident who is not directly involved in a tourism business and who shall represent the general public and shall live or work within the tax collection district for which they are applying (The operative word within this description is directly. This word means someone who is not in business, nor whose business or economic activity are dependent upon tourists).

Any person wishing to participate on the District I Advisory Committee of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council within the district so noted above,

LEGAL NOTICES

may request an application by emailing sydney@fla-keys.com. Completed applications should be emailed to sydney@fla-keys. com or may be sent via U.S. mail to the address below:

Department DAC Monroe County Tourist Development Council 1201 White Street, Suite 102 Key West, FL 33040 Deadline for receipt of application at the above address is 5:00 p.m. Friday August 23, 2024. A resume may be attached to the application.

Publish: August 1, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

DISTRICT II ADVISORY COMMITTEE (DAC II) (From the city limits of Key West to the west end of the Seven Mile Bridge) of the

INVITATION TO BID (ITB)

The City of Key Colony Beach cordially invites interested contractors to complete and submit sealed bids by August 29th, 2024, no later than 9:30 a.m., for the following project.

PICKLEBALL/TENNIS COURT PROJECT ITB 2024-03

THE PROJECT CONSISTS OF: Construct two (2) tennis courts and six (6) pickleball courts at 7th and 8th Street Parks to be submitted by August 29, 2024 at 9:30 a.m.

All bids must be submitted in a sealed envelope to City Administrator John Bartus at 600 W. Ocean, Key Colony Beach, Florida 33051 (mailing address PO Box 510141, Key Colony Beach, FL 33051), no later than August 29th, 2024 at 9:30 am clearly marked ‘Sealed Bid for the City of Key Colony Beach ITB 2024-03’ along with the name of your rm. Each bid must have one original and three copies. The bid manual, requirements and specifications are available on DemandStar at www.Demandstar.com.

All questions regarding the bid process should be directed to City Administrator John Bartus at cityadministrator@keycolonybeach.net

DATE TIME ACTION

07-29-2024 9:30 a.m. Release Solicitation 08-08-2024 9:30 a.m. Non-Mandatory Site Visit (Open to Public –7th and 8th Street Parks, Key Colony Beach, FL)

08-15-2024 4:00 p.m. Last day for submission of written questions to the City

08-22-2024 4:00 p.m. Last day for the City to post answers to questions

08-29-2024 9:30 a.m. Bid Due & Opening (Open to Public – Marble Hall, 600 W. Ocean Dr., Key Colony Beach, FL)

09-13-2024 9:30 a.m. Review Committee Meeting Recommendation to Award* *Can be posted on or before date (Open to Public – Marble Hall, 600 W. Ocean Dr., Key Colony Beach, FL)

09-19-2024 9:30 a.m. City Commission Meeting – Final Award (Open to Public – 600 W. Ocean Dr., Key Colony Beach, FL)

City of Key Colony Beach

600 W Ocean Drive, Key Colony Beach, FL 33051

Contact

Publish: August 1, 2024

Mailing Address

John Bartus, City Administrator PO Box 510141 cityadministrator@keycolonybeach.net Key Colony Beach, FL 33051

Publish: July 25 & August 1, 2024. The Weekly Newspapers

MONROE COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL has an opening for a LODGING INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVE – shall be owners or operating/general managers of motels, hotels, recreational vehicle parks, or other tourist accommodations which are subject to bed tax in the tax collection district for which they are applying. Any person wishing to participate on the District II Advisory Committee of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council within the district so noted above, may request an application by emailing sydney@fla-keys.com. Completed applications should be emailed to sydney@fla-keys. com or may be sent via U.S. mail to the address below:

Department DAC Monroe County Tourist Development Council 1201 White Street, Suite 102 Key West, FL 33040 Deadline for receipt of application at the above address is 5:00 p.m. Friday August 23, 2024. A resume may be attached to the application.

Publish: August 1, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

DISTRICT III ADVISORY COMMITTEE (DAC III) (From the west end of the Seven Mile Bridge to the Long Key Bridge) of the MONROE COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL has an opening for a TOURIST RELATED BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVE - Shall be persons involved in business which is interdependent upon the tourist industry who have demonstrated an interest in tourist development but who shall not be employed in any position within the lodging industry (motels, hotels, recreational vehicle parks, and other tourist accommodations and whose business is in the tax collection district for which they are applying).

Any person wishing to participate on the District III Advisory Committee of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council within the district so noted above may request an application by emailing sydney@fla-keys.com. Completed applications should be emailed to sydney@fla-keys. com or may be sent via U.S. mail to the address below: Department DAC Monroe County Tourist Development Council 1201 White Street, Suite 102 Key West, FL 33040 Deadline for receipt of application at the above address is 5:00 p.m. Friday August 23, 2024. A resume may be attached to the application. Publish: August 1, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

District IV Advisory Committee (DAC IV) (Between the Long Key Bridge and mile marker 90.939) of the MONROE COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL has a vacancy for an “At Large” representative - Any resident who is not directly involved in a tourism business and who shall represent the general public and shall live or work within the tax collection district for which they are applying (The operative word within this description is directly. This word means someone who is not in business, nor whose business or economic activity are dependent upon tourists). Any person wishing to participate on the District IV Advisory Committee of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council within the district so noted above, may request an application by emailing sydney@fla-keys.com. Completed applications should

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES

be emailed to sydney@fla-keys. com or may be sent via U.S. mail to the address below:

Department DAC

Monroe County Tourist

Development Council

1201 White Street, Suite 102

Key West, FL 33040

Deadline for receipt of application at the above address is 5:00 p.m. Friday August 23, 2024. A resume may be attached to the application.

Publish: August 1, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

DISTRICT IV ADVISORY COMMITTEE (DAC IV)

(Between the Long Key Bridge and mile marker 90.939) of the MONROE COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

has an opening for a TOURIST RELATED BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVE - Shall be persons involved in business which is interdependent upon the tourist industry who have demonstrated an interest in tourist development but who shall not be employed in any position within the lodging industry (motels, hotels, recreational vehicle parks, and other tourist accommodations and whose business is in the tax collection district for which they are applying).

Any person wishing to participate on the District IV Advisory Committee of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council within the district so noted above may request an application by emailing sydney@fla-keys.com. Completed applications should be emailed to sydney@fla-keys. com, or may be sent via U.S. Mail to the address below:

Department DAC Monroe County Tourist Development Council 1201 White Street, Suite 102 Key West, FL 33040

Deadline for receipt of application at the above address is 5:00 p.m. Friday August 23, 2024. A resume may be attached to the application.

Publish: August 1, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

DISTRICT V ADVISORY COMMITTEE (DAC V) (From Mile Marker 90.940 to the Dade/Monroe County Line and any Mainland portions of Monroe County) of the MONROE COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL has an opening for a LODGING INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVE – shall be owners or operating/general managers of motels, hotels, recreational vehicle parks, or other tourist accommodations which are subject to bed tax in the tax collection district for which they are applying. Any person wishing to participate on the District V Advisory Committee of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council within the district so noted above, may request an application by emailing sydney@fla-keys.com. Completed applications should be emailed to sydney@fla-keys. com, or may be sent via U.S. Mail to the address below: Department DAC Monroe County Tourist Development Council 1201 White Street, Suite 102 Key West, FL 33040 Deadline for receipt of applications at the above address is 5:00 p.m. Friday August 23, 2024. A resume may be attached to the application.

Publish: August 1, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Thursday, August 29, 2024, at 3:00 P.M., the Monroe County Purchasing Office will receive and open sealed responses for the following:

Blue Heron Park Pickleball Court Expansion 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, August 29, 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.

CITY OF MARATHON CITY COUNCIL

NOTICE OF ATTORNEYCLIENT SESSION IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 286.0118, FLORIDA STATUTES

Notice is hereby given that the City Council consisting of Mayor Robyn Still, Councilmembers Luis Gonzalez, Lynn Landry, Kenny Matlock, and Jeff Smith, City Manager George Garett, City Attorney Steve Williams, outside Counsel and attorney Erin Deady will meet at 5:00 pm or as soon as possible thereafter on August 27, 2024 at the Marathon City Hall, 9805 Overseas Highway in an Attorney-Client Session, pursuant to Section 286.011(8), Florida Statutes, to discuss litigation in regard to the following case: QOF, Inc v. City of Marathon, Florida and Florida Keys Resort Holdings, LLC, Defendant; pending in the Circuit/County Court of the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit in and for Monroe County Florida, Case No.: 24-CA-702-M The session is estimated to last thirty minutes.

Publish: August 1, 2024 The Weekly Newspapers

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. In the event of a discrepancy between the bid amount on the Proposal Form and the bid amount entered in Bonfire, the bid amount listed in the “Proposal Form” provided by Monroe County in the RFP is the amount that will be utilized by the County when considering the bid proposal. The County reserves the right to waive any proposal/bid irregularity.

The bid opening for this solicitation will be held virtually, via the internet, at 3:00 P.M., on Thursday, August 29, 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:

August 1, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

PROBATE DIVISION

FILE NO.: 2024-CP-000352-P IN RE: ESTATE OF HARLAN LEONARD-POTTS

WENDELL

Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of Harlan Leonard-Potts Wendell, deceased, whose date of death was February 11, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88770 Overseas Hwy., Tavernier, FL 33070. The names and addresses of the personal representatives and the personal representatives’ attorneys 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: July 25, 2024.

Personal Representatives:

Thayer W. McKenzie

10 Perky Road

Key Largo, FL 33037

Harlan L.P. Wendell, Jr.

14 High Hope Way

Bluffton, SC 29910

Attorneys for Personal Representatives: Shaina Kamen

Florida Bar Number: 70539

Cristina Papanikos

Florida Bar Number: 715832

Holland & Knight LLP

Attorney for Thayer W. McKenzie,

Personal Representative

701 Brickell Ave., Suite 3300

Miami, Florida 33131

Telephone: (305) 789-7686

Fax: (305) 789-7799

E-Mail: shaina.kamen@hklaw.

com E-Mail: cristina.papanikos@ hklaw.com

Secondary E-Mail: diana.musa@ hklaw.com

Secondary E-Mail: brenda.scott@ hklaw.com

Matthew Turko

Florida Bar Number: 30261

Cummings & Lockwood, LLC

Attorney for Harlan L.P. Wendell, Jr., Personal Representative 3001 PGA Boulevard, Suite 104 Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410

Telephone: (561) 214-8502

Fax: (239) 430-3338

E-Mail: mturko@cl-law.com

Publish:

July 25 and August 1, 2024 The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

PROBATE DIVISION

FILE NO.: 2024-CP-000359-P IN RE: ESTATE OF LAWRENCE P. BRADY, JR. Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of LAWRENCE P. BRADY, JR., deceased, whose date of death was May 11, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88770 Overseas Highway, Suite 2, Plantation Key, FL 33070. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. 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 personal representative or curator has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent's death by the decedent or the decedent's surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in sections 732.216732.228, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under section 732.2211.

The date of first publication of this notice is: July 25, 2024.

Personal Representative: Melissa B. Hemmert 5633 Strand Blvd. Suite 306 Naples, Florida 34110

Attorney for Personal Representative: Jeffrey R. Grant

Attorney

Florida Bar Number: 63918

Grant Cottrell, PLLC 5147 Castello Drive Naples, FL 34103

Telephone: (239) 649-4848

Fax: (239) 643-9810

E-Mail: jeff@grantcottrell.com

Secondary E-Mail: jennifer@ grantcottrell.com

Publish: July 25 and August 1, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA UPPER KEYS PROBATE DIVISION

CASE NO.: 24-CP-000287-P

IN RE: ESTATE OF SCARLETT R. MILLER, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of SCARLETT R. MILLER, deceased, whose date of death was November 28, 2023, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88770 Overseas Highway, Suite 2, Plantation Key, FL 33070. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. 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: July 25, 2024.

Personal Representative: JOSEPH L. BERTOLAMI 80908 Overseas Highway Islamorada, FL 33036

Attorney for Personal Representative: VICTORIA MIRANDA, ESQ. Florida Bar No. 1015363 HERSHOFF, LUPINO & YAGEL, LLP 88539 Overseas Highway Tavernier, FL 33070

E-Mail: VMiranda@HLYlaw.com

Publish: July 25 and August 1, 2024 The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 24-CP-279-P

DIVISION: PLANTATION KEY IN RE: ESTATE OF SELBY GREGORIE VENNING, III Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of Selby Gregorie Venning, III, deceased, whose date of death was January 4, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88770 Overseas Highway, Suite 2, Plantation Key, FL 33070. The names and addresses of the personal representatives and the personal representatives’ attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate 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 personal representative or curator has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent's death by the decedent or the decedent's surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in sections 732.216732.228, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under section 732.2211. The date of first publication of this notice is: July 25, 2024. Personal Representatives: Kristen Venning 365 Highbrook Drive Atlanta, Georgia 30342 Jamie Taylor Falcon Hill Place 2209 Lynchburg, Virginia 24503 Attorney for Personal Representatives: Robert K. Miller, Esq. Attorney Florida Bar Number: 359173 Cunningham Miller Rhyne PA 10075 Overseas Hwy PO Box 500938 Marathon, FL 33050 Telephone: (305) 743-9428 Fax: (305) 743-8800

E-Mail: rmiller@floridakeyslaw. com

Secondary E-Mail: service@ floridakeyslaw.com

Publish:

July 25 and August 1, 2024 The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY CASE NO. 20-CA-000044-K THE BANYAN TREE OF KEY WEST CONDOMINIUM AND OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION, INC., A FLORIDA CORPORATION, Plaintiff, v. WILLIAM STAFFORD, JEFFREY CAMPBELL, JACK A JENSEN AND RUTH L JENSEN, ANN LOUISE MINI, CHARLOTTE PIRNIA, ANN F MACGOWEN AND SUSAN A MACGOWEN, BARBARA D COMPSON, AMIR ESFANDYARI, JOAN C MANTAS, AND ALL OTHER UNKNOWN PARTIES CLAIMING INTERESTS BY, THROUGH, UNDER, AND AGAINST THE PARTIES HEREIN NAMED, WHETHER SAID UNKNOWN PARTIES MAY CLAIM AN INTEREST AS SPOUSES, HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES, OR OTHER CLAIMANTS Defendant(s).

NOTICE OF ACTION TO: CHARLOTTE PIRNIA, the unknown spouses, heirs, devisees, grantees, assignees, lienors, creditors, trustees of CHARLOTTE PIRNIA, and all persons claiming by, through, under or against CHARLOTTE PIRNIA or otherwise claim to have any right title, or interest in any of the properties described in COUNT IX of the Complaint, and all unknown persons, if alive, and if dead, and if not known to be dead or alive, their unknown spouses, heirs, devisees, grantees, assignees, lienors, creditors, trustees or other persons claiming by, through, under or against any unknown person who is known to be dead or otherwise claim to have any right title, or interest in any of the properties described below. YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action to foreclose liens on the following properties in Monroe County, Florida more particularly described as follows: Unit 802, During Unit Week 38, BANYAN TREE OF KEY WEST A CONDOMINIUM, together with an undivided interest in the common elements, according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof recorded in Official Records Book 1088, Page 1018, as amended from time to time, of the Public Records on Monroe County, Florida. has been filed against you and you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on Jonathan J. Coto,

the plaintiff’s attorney whose address is Coto Law Firm, P.A.

1390 S. Dixie Highway, Suite 1800, Coral Gables, Florida

33146, on or before September

2, 2024, and file the original with the clerk of this court either before service on the plaintiff’s attorney or immediately thereafter; otherwise a default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the complaint or petition.

DATED on July 17, 2024

KEVIN MADOK, CPA

As Clerk of the Court

By:

Shonta McLeod

As Deputy Clerk Publish: August 1 & 8, 2024 The Weekly Newspapers

SUMMONS SUPERIOR COURT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

DIVISION OF ST. THOMAS & ST.

JOHN CASE NO.: ST-2023-CV-00219

CLAIM FOR DAMAGES

JURY TRIAL DEMANDED GUARDIAN INSURANCE COMPANY, Plaintiff,

v. NICKOLAS EBENBECK CARIBBEAN LEASING & ECO TRANSPORT

d/b/a

BUDGET RENT-A-CAR, BUSINESS BASIC VI, LLC, and INTERNATIONAL RENTAL & LEASING CORP., Defendants.

To: Nikolas Ebenbeck

33701 Clinton Avenue

Denham Springs, LA 70706

Within the time limited by law

(see note on the next page) you are hereby required to appear before this Court and to answer to the First Amended Complaint filed against you in this action.

In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment by default will be taken against you as demanded in the First Amended Complaint for damages.

Witness my hand and the seal of this Court on this 10th day of May, 2024.

TAMARA CHARLES

Clerk of the Court

By: Deputy Clerk BARNES, D’AMOUR & VOGEL

P.O. Box 10829

St. Thomas, VI 00801

Tel: (340) 774-8188 / Fax: 7748189

/s/Kevin F. D’Amour

Kevin F. D’Amour, Esq.: VI Bar No. 288 Kdamour@usvilawfirm.com

Attorneys for Plaintiff, Guardian Insurance Company

NOTE: The Defendant, if served personally is required to file his/ her answer or other defense with the Clerk of the Court, and to serve a copy thereof upon the Plaintiff’s attorney within twenty (20) days after service of this summons excluding the date of service If served by publication or by personal service outside of the jurisdiction, the Defendant is required to file his/her answer or other defense with the Clerk of this Court, and to serve a copy thereof upon the attorney for the Plaintiffs within thirty (30) days after the completion of the period of publication or personal service outside of the jurisdiction.

Publish:

August 1, 8, 15 & 22, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

CITATION

Robert E. Hill, Esq. Nevada Bar No. 8496

THE HILL LAW GROUP

7341 W. Charleston Blvd., Ste. 160 Las Vegas, Nevada 89117

Telephone: (702) 852-1552

Facsimile: (702) 221-1961

admin@myvegaslaw.com

Attorney for Petitioners

DISTRICT COURT FAMILY DIVISION

CLARK COUNTY, NEVADA

CASE NO. G-24-060256-M and G-24-060256-M2

In the Matter of Guardianship of the Person and Estate of: MAKAYLA ROSE HALE and RYANN MONROE HALE, Proposed Protected Children.

CITATION TO APPEAR AND SHOW CAUSE TO:

MAKAYLA ROSE HALE and RYANN MONROE HALE, PROPOSED MINOR PROTECTED PERSONS; ALL KNOWN RELATIVES OF THE MINORS; AND ANY PERSON HAVING THE CARE, CUSTODY, AND CONTROL OF THE MINOR NICOLE HALE, Mother; DEBRA HEDMAN, Paternal Grandparent; JACQUELYN NESBITT, Maternal Grandparent; and DOUBLAS EDWARD KUTNEYGRANDPA KUTNEY, Maternal Grandparent PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that BRAD JACOB HALE and SHAWNA KIM HALE have petitioned the court to be appointed the guardians of the proposed protected persons named above.

The proposed protected persons may be determined to be incapacitated or of limited capacity; and a guardian may be appointed for the proposed protected persons. The rights of the proposed protected persons may be affected as specified in the petition.

The proposed protected persons have the right to appear at the hearing and to oppose the petition.

The proposed protected persons have the right to be represented by an attorney; who may be appointed by the court if the proposed protected persons is unable to retain one.

At any time after the filing for a Petition to Appoint Guardian, the court may appoint: (1) An attorney; (2) A guardian ad litem or an advocate; or (3) an investigator, if found to be appropriate or necessary in the best interest of the proposed protected persons.

DATE AND TIME OF COURT APPEARANCE

YOU ARE DIRECTED TO APPEAR AND SHOW CAUSE why a guardian should not be appointed for the proposed protected persons on the: 8th day of August, 2024 at 1:30 p.m., in Courtroom 03A at: The Family Courts and Services Center, 601 N. Pecos Road, Las Vegas, Nevada 89101. DATED this 17th day of April, 2024.

STEVEN D. GRIERSON CLERK OF COURT BY: Shaun Salcedo Deputy Court Clerk NOTE: The proposed guardian(s) and the proposed protected persons (unless excused by a physician) must appear at the scheduled hearing; all other interested parties do not need to appear unless they wish to oppose the guardianship and enter an objection.

Publish: August 1, 8, 15 & 22, 2024 The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 16TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 24-DR-535-K DIVISION: FAMILY SUYAPA Y. DUARTE, Petitioner, and MARIO ROBERTO GARCIA, Respondent. NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE (NO CHILD OR FINANCIAL SUPPORT)

TO: MARIO ROBERTO GARCIA RESPONDENT’S LAST KNOWN

ADDRESS: GOLF CLUB DRIVE #112, KEY WEST, FL 33040

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 Suyapa Y. Duarte, whose address is 3215 Duck Avenue, Key West, FL 33040 on or before August 12, 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: July 3, 2024

Kevin Madok, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida

By: Jaquelyn Fonseca

Deputy Clerk

Publish: July 11, 18 & 25 and August 1, 2024 The Weekly Newspapers

AUTOS WANTED

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

BOATS FOR SALE

Key Largo 21' Deep V Center Console w/ trailer. New 150hp motor & electronics. Ready to fish. $32,500 cash. Located in Marathon. 201-696-8906

FREE!! - 2 PONTOON BOATS 24' AND 18' Located in Marathon. Call 305-610-8002

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

Gated storage & parking available in Marathon for boats, trailers & RV's - across from boat ramp - MM 54. $8-$10/foot. 305-610-8002

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

CAMPING/RV SITE

Camping site/RV site at marina available in Marathon. Monthly/ Daily rates. Free use of dingy & fishing on dock. No Pets. 305-610-8002

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

EMPLOYMENT

Marathon: Looking for 2 College Students interested in 2-3 hours of work for 1 day restoring a Trawler Boat. May lead to additional hours. Cleaning, sanding, staining, scraping and painting outside of Boat $30.00 an hour. Contact a Friend and apply together. Call (508) 566-3538

Hiring: Lead Gutter Installer - EXPERIENCE REQUIRED – valid Driver’s License - must be comfortable with heights - located in Tavernier. To apply, please call or text Jay 305-587-1581.

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

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

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 staff. Above average hourly wage plus tips. Apply in person at 425 E. Ocean Dr. Key Colony Beach or call 404-2193359 and ask for Dave.

The Housing Authority of the City of Key West now hiring the following positions: Housekeeper at Poinciana Gardens, Server at Poinciana Gardens, Med Tech PT/Nights, Housing Choice Voucher Asst., PT Receptionist, Housing Manager-Middle Keys, Maintenance Mechanic (Maintenance Worker, and HVAC Maintenance Mechanic $64.480-$72,800/yr. plus benefits. To apply, please contact Human Resources at: martinezm@kwha.org or 305-296-5621. Applications are available at the Administrative Office located at 1400 Kennedy Dr., Key West, FL 33040 or online at www. kwha.org - EOE & Drug Free Work Place. This opportunity is covered under Section 3 of the HUD Act of 1968.

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

HOBBIES/COLLECT.

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

Absolute Auction

Tuesday August 13th @ 11AM

201 20th St Ocean, Lot # 8 Marathon, FL 33050 (White Building by the dock) MASSIVE RESTAURANT EQUIPMENT SALE

Automatic Empanada Dumpling Machine, True Stainless Cooler, True Stainless Freezer, Portable Griddle, Portable Char-Broiler, Sun re 6 Burner Range, MicroMatic Keg Cooler, Southbend Convection Oven, Galvanized Baskets, Insulated Coolers, Metro Racks, Large Quantity of Small Wares, Glass Plates, Dipping Plates, Wine Glasses, Shell Shaped Plates, Platters, Oil & Vinegar Holders, Pepper Mills, Bar Supplies, Coffee Cups, Stainless & Poly-Carbon Inserts, Champagne Glasses & Buckets, PLUS, SO MUCH MORE! Live Bidding In-Person &/or Online @ Proxibid.com/TobyNeverett Toby Neverett Auctioneers www.neverettauctions.com 561-706-7218 * au872 ab628

ISLAMORADA: Very Large 2 BR apt. for rent. Furnished or unfurnished. Utilities & cable included. $2,200/month. First/ Security. Available Sept. 1st. Yearly lease. 305-5222702 Leave message.

Single family, elevated canal-front home for long term rental in Marathon. 3BR/2BA, furnished (optional), wrap around balcony, pool, jacuzzi, 40 ft dock, W/D. $5,500/mo. Call Maria 305-725-8150

Available for 1 person.

2 1/2 rooms + 8' X 22' screened porch. All utilities incl. wifi, satellite TV, washer/dryer. 2nd house from ocean. Off-street parking. Private & quiet. MM 96 Key Largo. $1,850/ month F/L/S 305-853-3779

Large One Bedroom Suite, Conch House, carpet, tile, appliances, available for rent in Marathon. $2,000/month furnished all included. F/L/S or payments of $900/week for 3 months. Dockage available. No Pets. 305-610-8002

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

ROOMMATE WANTED

Stock Island - Seeking non-smoking professional female/no pets. Fully furnished, W/D + TV. Very nice quiet safe place. Gated. $1250/month. First/ Last Call 305-797-5600 ROOMMATE FOUND IN LESS THAN ONE WEEK!

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

RV FOR SALE

2010 27' Wildcat RV FOR SALE. 5th wheel, 1 slideout. Located in Key West. $9,000 618-559-9143

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

RV SITE FOR RENT

RV site at marina available in Marathon. Monthly/Daily rates. Free use of dingy & fishing on dock. No Pets. 305-610-8002

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

Gated storage & parking available in Marathon for boats, trailers & RV's - across from boat ramp - MM 54. $8-$10/foot. 305-610-8002

Place your STORAGE

KEY LARGO FIRE RESCUE & EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES DISTRICT IS SEEKING AN EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT/CLERK

For a detailed description of the position, please visit klfirerescueems.com

All interested individuals kindly submit your resume with a cover letter to clerk@klfrems.org

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.

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

e Turtle Hospital in Marathon

Join our team! Full and part-time Educational Program Guides/ Gift Shop Sales. Public speaking & retail sales experience helpful. $18/hour to start. Send resume to: turtlehospital@turtlehospital.org

DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER IS HIRING

Human Resources Assistant (Part-Time, Permanent)

Dolphin Research Center has an opening for a Human Resources Assistant (Part-Time, Permanent) for immediate consideration. Duties include: Supporting HR Director on everyday activities for the department, recruitment, record keeping, employee support, etc. Must be an organized team player with excellent computer & communication skills. Prior HR experience will be a benefit. Benefits include: medical insurance, 401(k), paid vacation & holidays & so much more!

Job description available at www.dolphins.org. Email resume & DRC application to drc-hr@dolphins.org. EOE

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

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.

WE ARE HIRING!

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AR PROCESSOR FT

Administrative Assistant to the Business Manager and under general supervision of the Business Manager, responsible for the bookkeeping of receivables, as well as the compiling and maintenance of accounts receivable records in accordance with regulations and best practices. Must have accounting software experience. *

DIRECT CARE STAFF AT ADULT DAY TRAINING PROGRAM

This position is available at our Adult Day program. This position provided direct care service and support to our clients in the day program. This position requires the minimum of high school completion or GED. *

DIRECT CARE STAFF  GROUP HOMES 24/7 FT/PT

These positions are available at our Group Homes; evening shift. This position provide direct care services and support to our clients in their home. This position requires the minimum of high school completion or GED and 1 year of experience with care giving or 30 hours or college coursework. *

IN HOME SUPPORT FT

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. This is a rewarding position for the right person. *

*ALSO

REQUIRED FOR ALL POSITIONS:

Fluent in English language, speaking and writing, proficiency is a must. 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

THE GUIDANCE/CARE CENTER, Inc. IS HIRING!

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.

KEY LARGO Advocate (PT)

KEY WEST

Peer Support Specialist Advocate (PT)

Case Manager (Adult, Child)

Substance Abuse Counselor Prevention Specialist Crisis Counselor

MARATHON

Care Coordinator (PT)

Driver – PT (CDL not required)

Behavioral Health Therapist (Child)

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

Peer Support Specialist/BHT

*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.

Background and drug screen req.

BENEFITS!!!

Check out all available positions at: www.westcare.com (search by zip code) EEOC/DFWP

OPENINGS AVAILABLE

PHYSICIAN PRACTICE

OPENINGS

- Medical Assistant, General Surgery, Tavernier, $3k Bonus

- Patient Access Associate, Tavernier

- Physician Assistant, Ortho, Tavernier

- Nurse Practitioner Physician Assistant, Upper Keys Cardiology, $5k Bonus

- Nurse Practitioner Physician Assistant, Primary Care Marathon, $5k Bonus

- Medical Assistant, Concierge Key West, $5k Bonus

- Physician Practice Registered Nurse, Concierge Key West, $15k Bonus

TAVERNIER MARINERS

HOSPITAL

- Cook, $5k Bonus

- Director Nursing Services, ICU

- Exercise Physiologist

- Group Exercise Instructor

- Lead First Cook, $5k Bonus

- Multi-Modality Imag Tech, $20k Bonus

- Nuclear Medicine Tech

- Radiology Technologist, $15k Bonus

- Registered Nurse, Multispecialty Acute Care Center, $25k Bonus

- Registered Nurse, Post Anesthesia Care Unit, $15k Bonus

MARATHON FISHERMEN’S COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

- ED Team Coordinator, Emergency Department

- Experience Advisor, Patient Experience

- First Cook, $5k Bonus

- Lead Medical Technologist, $15k Bonus

- Lead Phlebotomist

- Multi-Modality Imaging Tech, $20k Bonus

- Medical Technologist, $15k Bonus

- Radiology Technologist, $15k Bonus

- Registered Nurse, Emergency, $25k Bonus

- Registered Nurse, Post Anesthesia Care Unit, $15k Bonus

- Registered Respiratory Therapist, $15k Bonus

- Security Of cer

We are now hiring for the

*Sign-on

WE ARE HIRING!

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AR PROCESSOR FT

Administrative Assistant to the Business Manager and under general supervision of the Business Manager, responsible for the bookkeeping of receivables, as well as the compiling and maintenance of accounts receivable records in accordance with regulations and best practices. Must have accounting software experience. *

DIRECT CARE STAFF AT ADULT DAY TRAINING PROGRAM

This position is available at our Adult Day program. This position provided direct care service and support to our clients in the day program. This position requires the minimum of high school completion or GED. *

DIRECT CARE STAFF  GROUP HOMES 24/7

FT/PT

These positions are available at our Group Homes; evening shift. This position provide direct care services and support to our clients in their home. This position requires the minimum of high school completion or GED and 1 year of experience with care giving or 30 hours or college coursework. *

IN HOME SUPPORT

FT

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. This is a rewarding position for the right person. *

*ALSO REQUIRED FOR ALL POSITIONS:

Fluent in English language, speaking and writing, proficiency is a must. 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

FULL-TIME POSITION POLICE OFFICER

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

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

Salary: $60,000.

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

Email resume to: Chief of Police at: chief@keycolonybeach.net

Or call for additional information: 305-289-1212 ext. 1

Applicants must apply in person to be considered. 4290 Overseas Hwy, Marathon

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