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Los Angeles Angels’ rookie pitcher Ben Joyce can bring the heat. During a game on Sept. 3 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Joyce struck out a Dodgers batter with a 105.5 mph pitch. The MLB said it’s the third-fastest pitch since pitch tracking began in 2008.
MARATHON CAPITOL RIOTERS SENTENCED
Bryan Bishop faces 45 months in prison; wife gets probation
ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com
AMarathon man will spend nearly four years in prison for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol attack, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced in a press release on Sept. 3.
Bryan Bishop, 52, was sentenced to 45 months in prison, three years of supervised release and a $2,000 restitution payment by U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly after pleading guilty to a felony charge of assaulting, resisting or impeding officers during the capitol riots. The maximum sentence for the offense includes up to eight years in prison, a $200,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
Originally arrested on Aug. 7, 2023 with his wife Tonya, 47, also present during the Capitol riots, Bryan Bishop was caught on camera in a crowd of suspects breaching barriers outside the capitol on the day in question. In video footage released by investigative group Sedition Hunters and cross-referenced with public videos, CCTV and police body camera footage, Bishop was identified as an individual labeled the #UnderHelmetSprayer who sprayed a chemical irritant canister at a line of police officers.
“Bishop sprayed a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer directly in the face with an orange-colored chemical irritant and then sprayed a second MPD officer by aiming the spray at an upward angle in order to spray under the officer’s face shield,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office press release said.
“After spraying the officers … Bishop entered the U.S. Capitol building at approximately 2:39 p.m.,” the release continued, adding that Bishop spent 17 minutes inside the Capitol “walk(ing) throughout various rooms, including the Rotunda, Statuary Hall and the Statuary Hall Connector.”
Though both Bryan and Tonya Bishop originally pleaded not guilty in November and December 2023, respectively, both changed their tune in recent months.
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Members of
Bryan Bishop’s guilty plea to the felony charge came in April 2024. In March, Tonya Bishop also pleaded guilty, though to lesser misdemeanor charges of “disorderly and disruptive conduct in a Capitol building or grounds” and “parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building,” each carrying a maximum six-month prison sentence, up to five years of probation and up to a $5,000 fine.
In July, Tonya was sentenced to 24 months of probation and a $500 fine.
Though Tonya’s original criminal complaint makes no mention of assaults on officers, it details records and location data provided by Google and TracFone used to place a device associated with her email address and TracFone account within the Capitol building at the “known timeframe of the riot.” Video sources also allegedly showed a person with facial features “closely resembling” Tonya’s outside the Capitol building on the date of the riots.
When originally released from the Monroe County Detention Center in Key West in August 2023, Bryan Bishop called his arrest “dramatic.”
On that day, Tonya Bishop told the Weekly, “I hope you’re using the word ‘allegedly,’ because we’re innocent until proven guilty. Due process has not been served. We’re just regular people who want to live our lives quietly.”
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, in the 43 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,488 individuals have been charged with crimes related to the Capitol breach, including nearly 550 individuals charged with the felony of assaulting or impeding law enforcement.
A photo released by investigative group Sedition Hunters shows Bryan Bishop outside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. SEDITION HUNTERS/Contributed
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COUNTY RESPONDS TO GRAND JURY REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS
The grand jury’s report was recently made public following an investigation into the 2022 Trauma Star diversion of controlled substances. The report makes 14 recommendations for Monroe County Fire Rescue (MCFR) and the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) stemming from a 2022 incident involving former Trauma Star chief flight nurse Lynda Rusinowski and missing drugs.
County staff is reviewing all of the recommendations and will discuss them with the board at its meeting Wednesday, Sept. 11, starting at 9 a.m. in the Murray Nelson Government Center in Key Largo. That meeting will be viewable online and on MCTV.
Immediately following the incident, Monroe County took action to improve the drug accounting inventory system. Additional controls included implementing a computer-based inventory system, installing security cameras and new medical supply safes with biometric locks, and adding additional personnel for quality assurance and oversight.
Following the indictments of former County Administrator Roman Gastesi, Trauma Star division chief Andrea Thompson and former Medical Director Sandra Schwemmer, the Keys Weekly contacted representatives for all three defendants. All three either declined to comment or had not submitted a response by presstime.
Grand jury recommendations are included in bold, followed by county responses. The Keys Weekly edited certain suggestions and responses for length.
1. Roman Gastesi be immediately terminated from any and all Monroe County positions, including volunteer positions. Mr. Gastesti must never hold any position with Monroe County.
Gastesi’s volunteer status was terminated immediately following his indictment on Aug. 16, 2024. Gastesi had been serving as a volunteer adviser since he retired as county administrator in February 2024.
2. Andrea Thompson be immediately terminated from her position with MCFR and not be allowed to return or hold any position with MCFR or hold any position of trust with Monroe County.
Thompson was suspended without pay following her indictment. Her pre-determination hearing was scheduled for Aug. 30 but was delayed until Friday, Sept. 6.
3. Chief (James) Callahan be asked to resign as fire chief before the end of 2024 and the BOCC begin immediately the necessary steps to appoint a new fire chief who will oversee daily operations in the county and be on site.
After the 2022 incidents, Callahan returned to MCFR on a temporary basis when former Chief Steven Hudson retired. Monroe County administration is discussing Callahan’s retirement plans with him, and the county will determine how to move forward with a replacement chief.
4. We strongly recommend that MCSO allow firefighter/paramedics Damian Suarez and Harold Perez to return to Trauma Star as flight medics if they so choose, with back pay and Trauma Star flight pay from the day they were allowed to return to work, but denied flight status pay. Suarez and Perez were removed from Trauma Star at the direction of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. Both are still firefighter/EMTs with Monroe County Fire Rescue. If the sheriff’s office were to allow Suarez and Perez to return to Trauma Star service, the county could then consider reinstating them following proper procedures.
5. An internal affairs division should be created to handle MCFR personnel discipline, similar to what is afforded for law enforcement officers under Chapter 112, Florida Statute.
Employee Services conducts internal investigations into policy violations, employment law concerns and other such matters. Employee Services has two former police officers on staff with expertise in investigations, who are used in most cases but do not have independent enforcement authority. This topic will be discussed with the BOCC.
6. Monroe County Employee Services to implement random drug testing for all county employees in special-risk positions as was previously recommended in the clerk’s internal audit report.
The county already has reasonable-suspicion and post-accident drug testing procedures in place. Other county employees in applicable positions are already subject to DOTmandated random drug screening. This year, the county will implement a random drug testing program and has already raised the topic as part of the
collective bargaining agreement with the firefighters’ union.
7. Employee Services and MCFR request the medical director to issue a medical directive requiring all MCFR EMS and Trauma Star employees to be subject to random drug testing.
Random testing is both a matter of county policy and the collective bargaining agreement with the firefighter’s union and would involve coordination with the medical director. Union negotiations are underway, and random testing is a subject of bargaining.
8. All MCFR employees to receive diversion training to identify signs of substance abuse, and steps to prevent the theft of narcotics.
All county and fire rescue employees must undergo annual drug and alcohol training and as part of the hiring process. All employees take annual refresher training that is documented in their personnel files. The county will review, update, and improve the training program.
Following the 2022 incident, Monroe County Fire Rescue implemented additional controls to prevent similar incidents from happening again. These include adding a computer-based inventory system with double controls to prevent the theft of narcotics. Previously, inventory was done on paper. Security video cameras were also added to areas that hold narcotics, and medical supply safes were replaced to include biometric locks.
9. Monroe County’s Human Resources/Employee Services department to develop a new and uniform policy and procedures for the handling of any complaint received from a Monroe County employee, including requiring that a written finding, resolution or conclusion be provided to the complainant or the subject of the complaint no later than 45 days from receipt of the complaint.
Monroe County already has policies and procedures for this type of complaint. When the county receives a claim of workplace violence, sexual harassment, harassment, discrimination, retaliation or other such matters, it conducts an in-depth investigation. The county will review the policies and procedures to see what can be improved.
10. Monroe County’s Human Resources/Employee Services departments should review and update its whistleblower/anonymous reporting process to require a response to be sent confirming receipt of the report. There also needs to be a writ-
ten report or response documented internally indicating what was done to investigate the report as well as a response being provided to the individual who made the report. Monroe County adopted a whistleblower ordinance in 2009. The ordinance prevents the county or independent contractor from taking retaliatory action toward an employee or applicant if the employee or applicant reports the law violations to the county. Monroe County does not currently have a system for anonymous complaints, but it is researching how employees or applicants can make an anonymous complaint to Monroe County.
11. All Monroe County elected officials, BOCC, department heads, executives and any person in a management/supervisory level be required to complete an ethics and compliance in the workplace training on an annual basis.
State law requires the BOCC and other county elected officials to attend annual ethics training, which they do. The county also requires all staff to complete yearly online compliance training. The county will review its training programs and make improvements.
12. All Monroe County elected officials, BOCC, department heads, executives and any person in a management/supervisory level be required to complete a leadership training course with continuing education on an annual basis.
Monroe County administration will look into creating an internal course or sending pertinent staff to leadership training courses.
13. The BOCC immediately hire an independent third-party firm to conduct a review of all contracts of services and determine compliance with the required contract terms before any contract is renewed.
Monroe County is in the process of hiring a third-party firm to conduct an independent review of MCFR.
14. The BOCC implement more checks and balances as it pertains to the county administrator position. There should be written monthly reports detailing a thorough review by the county administrator of the county’s departments’ work environment, work product and efficiency along with any pending complaints or incidents related to public trust or accountability.
The Monroe County Administrator presents a monthly report on the BOCC agenda and will continue to do so.
MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com
FORMER TOURISM DIRECTOR SUES COUNTY
Claims audit & firing were retaliation for bicentennial funding denial
In Monroe County, the hits keep coming. The board of county commissioners — still contending with the alleged cover-up of a drug scandal and resulting criminal indictments of three former employees — now faces a whistleblower lawsuit from its former tourism director.
Stacey Mitchell was fired in March, four months after the county clerk’s office released a critical audit of the Tourist Development Council, where Mitchell had been marketing director since 2017. The audit revealed “repeated noncompliance with Monroe County’s purchasing policy,” and “a lack of controls and management oversight,” among other findings.
Mitchell initially was suspended with pay in the fall of 2023, then terminated in March. County officials have pointed to the audit as the basis for her termination, although at a November 2023 meeting of the TDC board, then-Key West Mayor Teri Johnston, who sat on the TDC board, said, “Let’s remember, this entire board was in place when all of this was allegedly occurring. Fingers are pointing to Stacey (Mitchell), but what about everyone else, since at least 2008 — people in the clerk’s office approving payments, the TDC’s own board treasurer reviewing financial statements. There was more than one hand in this. … Maybe the clerk’s office needs to be addressed. Maybe the county needs to be audited as well. There was apparently a lack of oversight long before Stacey Mitchell was appointed TDC director in 2017.”
The vote to fire Mitchell occurred in March 2024 following an independent review of the TDC’s financial operations, although no charges were filed against her.
In the lawsuit filed on Sept. 3, Mitchell’s attorney Zachary Zermay claims her firing, and the TDC audit that prompted it — the agency’s first in 20 years — were retaliation for Mitchell’s refusal to approve $150,000 of tourism funding for a county bicentennial event that had missed the application deadline for such funds.
The lawsuit details an informal meeting in early May 2022, when Mitchell and the TDC’s PR agent, Andy Newman, met with county commissioner Michelle Lincoln, thenCounty Administrator Roman Gastesi and county spokeswoman Kristen Livengoood.
At the meeting, the suit states, Mitchell emphasized the process to apply for event funding and the strict application deadline of early June.
“Despite (Mitchell) providing all necessary TDC administrative contact information to assist Ms. Livengood, the applications were not submitted in time. As a result, the (county’s bicentennial) events … were excluded from grant consideration. … (Mitchell) returned from a business trip on June 13, 2022, and was informed by the office manager that Ms. Livengood had sought last-minute assistance on the application process, but failed to meet the deadline,” the lawsuit states.
The 12-page legal complaint then describes a July 2022 county budget meeting, where commissioner Craig Cates reportedly told Mitchell a drone show and concert would take place for the county’s bicentennial, and asked her for TDC funding for the event.
“(Mitchell) reminded Commissioner Cates that the deadline to apply for funding was missed by Ms. Livengood, yet Commissioner Cates insisted on finding a way to support the event,” the lawsuit states. “Consequently, and despite previous directives to avoid funding high-season weekend events, the TDC hastily organized a ‘second round of event funding’ to accommodate the request because of backroom dealings, meetings, and other informal communications hidden from the public.”
In the second round, the Key West District Advisory Committee members, who evaluate event funding applications and make recommendations for amounts “were perplexed by this sudden shift in directives,” and denied the $150,000 funding request, the lawsuit states.
County organizers of the bicentennial event then appealed the DAC’s denial to the full TDC board, which debated the issue, but tabled the matter indefinitely.
“The issue was highly publicized, leading to community uproar, particularly among local nonprofits and event planners who adhered to the original application deadlines. Subsequently, following backroom dealings, meetings and other informal communications hidden from the public, the Board of County Commissioners redirected $150,000 from DAC resources to fund the concert, circumventing the standard approval processes. In violation of Defendants’ own guidelines, rules, and regulations, over $150,000 was withdrawn from the TDC’s budget by way of an internal budget transfer … without the correct transparency processes and public meetings.”
“Defendants willfully ignored (Mitchell’s) concerns and misused public funds to finance a $150,000 concert and drone show, in the middle of high season in Key West, after blowing mandatory deadlines. After the disclosures were made, the drone show occurred, and the checks had been cashed, a campaign of retaliation began against (Mitchell) in the form of audits to serve as a pretextual reason to terminate (her),” the lawsuit alleges
The lawsuit seeks a jury trial, financial compensation for lost pay, compensatory damages, reinstatement to her prior position, or commensurate pay as well as attorney’s fees.
Cates told the Keys Weekly that the lawsuit was not unexpected, but he declined to comment on the pending litigation until he had spoken with the county attorney.
Stacey Mitchell. CONTRIBUTED
MALLORY PINTO
AFTER HOURS
Who: Marlin Bay Resort & Marina
When: Wednesday, September 11th
Where: 3800 Gulfview Avenue, Marathon
What: Great networking, food & beverages; come promote your business and meet Marathon business owners, executives, and leaders!
Topic: 7 Mile Bridge Project: Info, Updates & More
LEADERSHIP MONROE COUNTY ANNOUNCES CLASS XXXII
Thirty-second class to continue legacy of forging community partnerships
Leadership Monroe County, the premier educational non-profit community leadership organization, announces its 32nd year of programs with the selection of Class XXXII.
The LMC program is aimed at residents who are active in leadership roles within the private sector, government or community organizations. Through a series of singleand multi-day sessions over eight months, participants examine the fundamental public and private segments throughout the county. The program also provides participants the opportunity for mutual awareness and discussion of issues affecting the Keys. These experiences help participants grow as residents and leaders as well as provide invaluable connections among other leaders across the county.
Sessions will begin Sept. 13 in Key West with subsequent classes throughout the Keys, culminating with graduation in May 2025. Sessions are led by experts and leaders in the fields covered in each session. The nine sessions include focusing on the challenges and opportunities that confront the dynamic tourism industry and the Keys economy, vital environmental issues from the Everglades to Florida Bay and the coral reefs, the Monroe County education system, the levels of government, the judiciary and law enforcement system, the historical and current military significance in the Keys, emergency management and emerging best practices, Keys health care and human services, the increasing impact of the arts and creative industries, the nonprofit sectors and the media platforms that inform the citizenry and affect and influence public policy.
Established in 1992 to address the changing needs and concerns of the county, develop a group of welleducated leaders, help guide the community in a positive direction and foster county-wide effective and non-partisan alliances, Leadership Monroe County is an independent nonprofit, governed by a
countywide alumni member board. Officers are president George Garrett, vice president Cheryl Sullivan, secretary Kathy McKinney and treasurer Bruce Halle, with program coordinator Michael Shields.
• Jason Castillo - Administrative Bureau Captain, Key West Police Department
• Kelly Dugan - Assistant Monroe County Attorney, BOCC
• Alex Flores - AVP, First State Bank of the Florida Keys, Treasury Management
• Christina Gardner - Naval Facilities Command, Community Planning Liaison Officer
• Matthew Hutchinson - Attorney, Hershoff, Lupino & Yagel
• Greg Lewis - Vice Mayor, City of Layton
• Chris Massicotte - Co-Founder, Duval Street Media
• Brad Milsap - President, Ocean Reef Club Sotheby’s Realty
• Jenna Moeller - Detective Sergeant, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office
• Nick Parr - NOAA Environmental Manager, National Marine Sanctuary
• Michelle Pope - Co-Owner, Pilates in Paradise
• Afton Ridge - Outreach Coordinator, Metropolitan Community Church
• Heather Roberts - Vice President, Mortgage Executive, First Horizon Bank
• Suzi Rubio - Senior Project Manager, Monroe County BOCC
Robert Salter - Detention Lt., Monroe County Sheriff’s Office
• Cory Schwisow - Deputy Director, Monroe County Emergency Management
• Eric Silvoy - U.S. Coast Guard, Command Master Chief
TRUSTS • WILLS POWERS OF ATTORNEY LADYBIRD DEEDS
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MARATHON COUNCIL DISCUSSES CITY VULNERABILITY & NEW KAYAK LAUNCH
ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com
Ashort summer session on Aug. 27 saw the Marathon City Council receive a briefing on the city’s ongoing vulnerability assessment before diving into upcoming construction projects and a parking change at Sombrero Beach.
A presentation by attorney and urban planner Erin Deady opened last Tuesday’s session to discuss the vulnerability assessment, focusing on evaluating critical areas throughout the Marathon in the face of sea level rise, high rainfall and storm surges. When complete, the assessment will aid in identifying priority resilience projects and maintaining eligibility for future grant funding through the Resilient Florida program, she said.
Presenting multiple maps of Marathon with projected sea level rise through 2040, 2070 and 2100, Deady identified areas predicted to be vulnerable to more than 150 days per year of tidal flooding, discounting mitigating effects of existing stormwater management systems, seawalls or other structures installed to reduce flooding impacts. Studies crossreferenced these projections with the location of city-owned assets and other crucial utilities to identify priority areas for improvement.
“We’ve identified 10 hotspots … (that) are going to be impacted by multiple avenues of flooding, with a lot of assets within that particular area,” she said. “We will rank the assets on a 1 through 5 scale, do a weighting criteria associated with them and rank them over time. We’ll also look at social vulnerability surrounding those critical assets, to make sure that if you’ve got higher census tracts where you have people who are financially or otherwise challenged, we want to take that into account. We produce all of this in a list, ranked, color-coded and provided to the state.”
New kayak launch in the works for 109th Street
Following a controversial right-of-way abandonment at the end of 109th Street, later protested by neighborhood residents due to lost access to a small boat ramp, Marathon will pursue installation of a new launch and pocket park on the city’s remaining waterfront property at the road’s south end. Estimated costs include $35,000 for design and permitting, plus another $200,000 for construction, Public Works Director Carlos Solis told the council.
“I believe that the ramp was wrongfully given away … so this would be a great way to give back to the community something that was lost, that they really do use more than you may know,” Marathon resident Holly Nolan, a vocal critic of the earlier abandonment, told the council.
“The community would love to be involved in this (build), and that would extend to the park also,” added 109th Street resident Chris Nolan.
Public comment challenges golf course development
A public comment by Marathon City Council candidate Dustin Huff challenged the city’s regulation of construction for the upcoming Florida Keys Resort at the Florida Keys Country Club property.
Huff stated that city officials “suddenly seemed to have an interest” in the property after allowing construction to proceed “virtually unregulated” before letters of noncompliance on the property were received from the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD).
Huff alleged that further SFWMD violations were withheld at the request of city officials, a claim City Manager George Garrett said was “not true.”
“The question is, did we direct the Water Management District to do anything? The answer is no, flat out,” Garrett said. “We had a conversation with the Water Management District concerning flooding issues. But we’ve had a stop work order, and we’ve been under review for some modifications to their plans.”
In other news:
• Following an agreement last summer to slowly increase the price of Marathon’s contract with Key Colony Beach for fire and EMS services, Garrett said the city’s budgeted amount for 2024-25 is roughly $900,000, a “truer number for what our costs are.”
• Parking in the right-of-way at the end of Sombrero Beach Road outside of designated beach parking, previously marked as a tow-away zone, will instead carry a $500 parking fine following the unanimous approval of Ordinance 2024-09 at its first reading. Originally proposed by councilman Kenny Matlock, the change comes in response to tow operators’ liability concerns in towing expensive vehicles to earn a $180 payout.
• Resolution 2024-65, also unanimously approved at its first meeting, removes the city’s existing 12,000-gallon cap on wastewater usage charges for single-family residential properties. Utilities Director Daniel Saus told the council that the change should only affect large dwellings or those with extreme water usage, as a typical twoor three-bedroom home uses roughly 4,000 gallons of water per month.
• After a brief discussion, the council also unanimously approved Resolution 2024-66, providing for a new information and security station to be constructed at Sombrero Beach. The $250,000 project will be largely funded by a $200,000 Tourist Development Council grant, with the remainder coming from city coffers.
• Saturday, Sept. 21 will mark the city’s annual Landry Sayer Clean the Curb day, a community cleanup beginning at 8 a.m. at Coco Plum Beach.
REEL RECS
Staff from your Monroe County Public Library recommend some of their favorites from the collection.
WHAT: “Ronin” (1998)
WHY: If you like heist films that also have a bit of espionage, an understated but affecting love story and nonstop action, it’s hard to do better than “Ronin.” One of the last movies by legendary director John Frankenheimer, the cast includes Robert DeNiro, Jean Reno, Natascha McElhone, Stellan Skarsgård, Sean Bean and Jonathan Pryce. It even has a cameo from Katarina Witt playing a Russian skater! It has multiple car chases in multiple scenic locations in France. And it has a hell of a MacGuffin. I’ve seen this movie at least 20 times and I still sort of forget the ending – because honestly, it’s not the point. I never get tired of watching these characters as they try to out-maneuver each other and “the Russians” who are also after the mysterious MacGuffin, whether it’s with mind games, shoot-outs or barreling the wrong way down a Parisian highway – way before Jason Bourne pulled the same stunt.
WHERE: This film is available on Kanopy, the library’s streaming video 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: Nancy Klingener, community affairs manager.
See previous Reel Recs at keyslibraries.org/reel-recs.
SEWER LINE BURSTS AGAIN IN TAVERNIER
JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com
Awastewater line burst yet again near MM 92 in Tavernier on Sept. 1 as many people were exiting the Keys following the Labor Day weekend.
An alert by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office came in around 5 p.m. regarding the sewer line break. Traffic in the north and south lanes was halted for a time before vehicles were diverted to allow crews the ability to begin repairs. Cars lined the two northbound lanes some two miles.
Repairs and road resurfacing took several hours before all highway lanes were reopened by deputies.
It’s the second sewer line burst to occur in Tavernier this year. On May 13, crews descended on a break at MM 92, where smelly, dark water covered the highway’s surface. Repairs began shortly after 5 p.m. and concluded the next morning around 4 a.m.
There was also a break in June 2023 a little further north at MM 92.5.
The recent beaks have occurred on the village of Islamorada’s force main, which sends wastewater to the Key Largo wastewater treatment plant at MM 100.3. Village Manager Rob Cole told Keys Weekly on Sept. 1 that the village has a project that should help with the “hammering” issues at this location. Hammering occurs when there’s a sudden change in pressure.
“The spike in pressure occurs with pumps turning on and off. The proposed project would eliminate pressure spikes by maintaining constant pressure,” Cole told Keys Weekly.
City of Marathon City Council Agenda
9805 Overseas Hwy., Marathon
Tuesday, September 10, 2024 5:30 P.M.
(*Denotes Item Is Passed By Consent Upon Approval of Agenda)
Public Comments taken on all times and at 6:30pm time certain for items not on the agenda or as soon as possible thereafter of after the last agenda item; whichever comes first.
City Council Items
* A. Approval of Minutes B. Diaper Awareness Week Proclamation (Mayor Still)
City Attorney Items
A. Authorization to initiate litigation against GEORGE GLEADALL and ELENA GLEADALL and their property, 1696 74th Street, Marathon, FL 33050, to enforce the lien(s) arising from code compliance case number C-21-110.
B. Authorization to initiate litigation against YOEL LOPEZ and DAYANIS CORDOVI and their property, 369 110th Street, Marathon, Florida 33050, to enforce the lien(s) arising from code compliance case number C2019-0212.
Quasi-Judicial Public Hearings:
A. Resolution 2024-75, Approving The Ranking And Allocations Of The Market Rate And Affordable Residential Building Permit Allocation System (RBPAS) For Period 1, Year 33 (July 14, 2024 To January 13, 2025); And Providing For An Effective Date.
B. Resolution 2024-76, A Resolution Of The City Council Of The City Of Marathon, Extending The Approval Of The Allocations Of The Early Evacuation Building Permit Allocation System (EE-BPAS) Under Resolution 2021-77, Providing 6 Months From The Date Of This Resolution For The Permits To Be Issued; And Providing For An Effective Date.
Ordinance For Second Public Hearing and Enactment
A. Ordinance 2024-09, Modifying Sections 32-31 And 32-34 Of The City Code Of Ordinances, “Prohibition Or Restrictions On Stopping Or Parking Vehicles; Signs To Be Erected; Penalties” And “Tow Away Zones” In Order To Increase The Penalty For No Parking To $500.00 For The Sombrero Beach Right Of Way Area And Remove The Sombrero Beach Road Tow Away Zone From The Code Of Ordinances; Providing For Removal Of Any Sections Of The Code Found In Conflict With This Change In The Ordinance; Providing For Severability; Providing For Incorporation Into The Code Of Ordinances; And Providing For An Effective Date.
Resolutions for Adoption
A. Resolution 2024-77, Declaring The Intention Of The City To Consider Adoption Of An Ordinance Amending The City’s Land Development Regulations Relating To Chapter 102, Article 13, “Conditional Use Permits”, Section 102.74 “Application Process,” Chapter 103, Article 3, Table 103.15.1, “Uses By Zoning District,” Chapter 104, Article 1, Section 104.51.1 Titled “Single-Family Dwellings (7 Bedrooms Or More),” And Chapter 110, Article 3, “Defined Terms”; Extending the Zoning In Progress For A Period Of One Hundred And Eighty Days Or Until The Adoption Of An Ordinance, Whichever Shall Occur First; Directing The Planning Department To Study And Recommend Amendments To The City’s Land Development Regulations Related To Large Single Family Home Residential Developments; Providing For Public Notice Of Zoning In Progress And Required Compliance; Providing That From The Date Of Adoption Of This Resolution And During The Pendency Of Consideration Of Such Ordinance By The City, The City Will Not Process Or Approve Development Applications Related To Large Single Family Home Residential Developments; Providing For Severability; And Providing For An Effective Date.
*B. Resolution 2024-78, Authorizing The City Attorney To Bid Up To The City’s Code Enforce-
ment Lien Value ($279,000) At The Foreclosure Sale On The Property Located At 347 Guava Avenue, Marathon, Florida 33050; And Providing For An Effective Date.
*C. Resolution 2024-79, Authorizing A “Piggy-Back” Purchase Pursuant To The City’s Purchasing Policies And Procedures And Approving The Purchase Of Thompson Large Capacity 6inch Suction Pump Under The Florida Sheriff Association Contract No. FSA23-EQU21.0 From Thompson Pump & Manufacturing Company, Inc. In An Amount Not To Exceed $49,971.00; Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into Agreements In Connection Therewith, Appropriating And Expending Funds; And Providing For An Effective Date.
*D. Resolution 2024-80, Approving A Grant Award from FDEP for Resurfacing the Basketball Court at Community Park along with New Fencing and Striping for Pickleball And Expend Budgeted Funds And Appropriate Funds In The Amount Of $122,950.00; And Providing For An Effective Date.
*E. Resolution 2024-81 Authorizing A “Piggy-Back” Purchase Pursuant To The City’s Purchasing Policies And Procedures And Approving The Purchase of a Caterpillar 303 Excavator Under The Florida Sheriff’s Bid Contract FSA23-EQU21.0 From Kelly Tractor Co., In An Amount Not To Exceed at total of $49,500.00; Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into Agreements In Connection Therewith, Appropriating And Expending Budgeted Funds; And Providing For An Effective Date.
*F. Resolution 2024-82, Approving Professional Services Agreement With Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc., For The Continued Development and Maintenance of Marathon Utility Information System In An Amount Not To Exceed $60,000.00; Authorizing The City Manager To Execute All Necessary Documents On Behalf Of The City And Expend Budgeted Funds; And Providing An Effective Date.
*G. Resolution 2024-83, Approving a Contract with McCourt Construction for Resurfacing the Basketball Court at Community Park along with Striping for Pickleball And Expend Budgeted Funds And Appropriate Funds In The Amount Of $55,800; And Providing For An Effective Date.
*H. Resolution 2024-84, Approving a Contract with McCourt Construction for Resurfacing and Restriping the Tennis Courts at Community And Expend Budgeted Funds And Appropriate Funds In The Amount Of $55,800; And Providing For An Effective Date.
*I. Resolution 2024-85 Authorizing A “Piggy-Back” Purchase Pursuant To The City’s Purchasing Policies And Procedures And Approving The Purchase of one 2025 Chevy Silverado 2500HD double cab pickup 2WD WT 8' BED with utility body and one (1) 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab Pickup 4WD 157" WB Work Truck with 6.5' Bed Under The Florida Sourcewell (formerly NJPA) From Alan Jay Fleet Sales, In An Amount Not To Exceed at total of $112,050.00; Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into Agreements In Connection Therewith, Appropriating And Expending Budgeted Funds; And Providing For An Effective Date
*J. Resolution 2024-86, Approving Change Order #1 for PSA 23-6 Area 7 Disk Filter Construction Administration to Weiler Engineering Corporation.; Approving an increase in contract amount of $51,725.00; Authorizing the City Manager To Execute The Change Order And Expend Budgeted Funds On Behalf Of The City; And Providing For An Effective Date.
Pursuant to Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes, if a person decides to appeal any decision made by the City Council with respect to any matter considered at such hearing or meeting, one will need a record of the proceedings and for such purpose that person may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made; such record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. ADA Assistance: Anyone needing special assistance at the City Council hearing due to disability should contact the City of Marathon City Attorney at (305) 289-4130 at least five days prior thereto. Please contact the City Clerk at clavierd@ci.marathon.fl.us if you would like to receive any of the items on the agenda by email.
COMING ON STRONG
Marathon’s Justice Lee adds to her collection of medals with wins at AAU states
TRACY MCDONALD www.keysweekly.com
Justice Lee made school history last winter with a pair of state gold medals in weightlifting. The nowjunior didn’t take a break from competition in the offseason, despite playing two other varsity sports and juggling school and numerous clubs.
With a strong showing early this summer at the SOFLA Open, Lee earned a bid to the AAU Florida State Tournament held in Auburndale on Aug. 24. The dynamo successfully lifted enough combined weight to earn a silver medal in Olympic lifts and gold in traditional lifts. Girls weightlifting officially opens in Florida in early October, giving Lee plenty of time to boost her numbers as she attempts to defend her titles in 2025.
LADIES AND GENTS, WE HAVE OUR VENUE
For the first time, the Best of Marathon heads to Hawks Cay
ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com
As this paper hits Middle Keys newsstands, there are less than four days remaining to vote for your favorite people, places and businesses in the Best of Marathon Awards.
All of the nominations and votes from locations around the globe have led to these final decisions as our readers dole out their crowns from our list of finalists, and the Keys Weekly crew absolutely cannot wait to celebrate our winners on Saturday, Sept. 21 with what many regard as the best party in the Middle Keys.
The goal is to make the Best of Marathon better each year, and this year is no exception. We’re thrilled to announce that this year, for the first time ever, our awards ceremony will take place at the stunning Hawks Cay Resort.
“We can’t thank Hawks Cay enough for partnering with us this year and providing a phenomenal venue for our awards,” said Marathon Weekly publisher Jason Koler. “At the end of the day, our Best Of events up and down the Keys are about two things: honoring the people and businesses who go above and beyond to make our community as amazing as it is, and raising as much money as we possibly can for deserving charitable organizations like the Marathon Rotary Club. Hawks Cay has been incredible in working with us to put on what promises to be an unforgettable night.”
Visit keysweekly.com/BOM24 or scan the QR code to cast your votes once per day through midnight on Sunday, Sept. 8. In order for your ballot to count, you must make a selection in 75% of the categories.
Tickets for the Best of Marathon awards ceremony are typically offered to winners first and are not generally made available to the public due to demand. Winners and dignitaries are invited to attend and additional nominees and other attendees are selected from a firstcome, first-served waiting list. To be placed on this list, please email patti@keysweekly.com.
Justice Lee poses with her AAU hardware on Aug. 24. CONTRIBUTED
Hawks Cay Resort will be the picturesque setting for the 2024 Best of Marathon Awards. CONTRIBUTED
A1A RENAMED JIMMY BUFFETT MEMORIAL HIGHWAY
Key West Mayor Dee Dee Henriquez and local businessman Paul Menta present a proclamation declaring Aug. 30 Jimmy Buffett Day in Key West. The event took place at Shrimp Boat Sound, Buffett’s longtime recording studio alongside Key West Harbor. ANDY NEWMAN/Florida Keys News Bureau
A Florida highway sign designating State Road A1A as the ‘A1A Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway’ is unveiled Aug. 30 at the highway’s beginning in Key West. Marking the event, from left, were Florida State Reps. Chuck Clemons and Jim Mooney, Florida Sen. Lauren Book, Jimmy Buffett’s sister Lucy Buffett, his longtime business partner Sunshine Smith and Jeff Sharkey of Margaritaville.
Singer’s sister joins the unveiling
The unveiling of a Florida highway sign designating historic State Road A1A as the “A1A Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway,” and a ceremony declaring Aug. 30 “Jimmy Buffett Day,” kicked off a weekend of Key West festivities paying tribute to the island’s late “favorite son.”
The highway sign bearing the internationally acclaimed singer/ songwriter’s name was unveiled by his sister, Lucy Buffett, at the beginning of State Road A1A on Key West’s Atlantic Ocean shoreline.
“When Jimmy landed in Key West, he found the inspiration that formed the niche of his creative output that catapulted him into the mainstream,” said Lucy Buffett. “Key West, and the lifestyle that he figured out he could live and contribute to society positively, he took
‘JUST A FEW FRIENDS’ TRIBUTE DRAWS THOUSANDS
Jimmy Buffett celebrations launch new Labor Day tradition
“And I have been drunk now for over two weeks; I passed out and I rallied and I sprung a few leaks.
But I gotta stop wishin’, gotta go fishin’
Down to rock bottom again
Just a few friends, just a few friends”
— JImmy Buffett’s ‘A Pirate Looks at Forty’
MANDY MILES
mandy@keysweekly.com
The weekend-long tribute to Jimmy Buffett was called Just a Few Friends, but ended up drawing thousands to the island city for the long Labor Day weekend.
The weekend included appearances by members of the Buffett family for the renaming of A1A as the Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway, a Hawaiian surfing tradition called a “paddle out” in honor of the singer/songwriter and a festive Second Line march through Old Town that culminated at Truman Waterfront Park for a free concert and Party in the Park.
Buffett died on Sept. 1, 2023 after a four-year battle with a form of skin cancer called Merkel-cell carcinoma. His death prompted a spontaneous outpouring of music, memories and margaritas last year in Key West.
Key West Mayor DeeDee Henriquez, above, was among thousands taking part in the Just a Few Friends events over Labor Day weekend to celebrate the songs and stories of Jimmy Buffett. LARRY BLACKBURN/Keys Weekly
This year, with more time to prepare, Paul Menta, owner of Key West’s First Legal Rum Distillery, worked with several people, performers and organizations to put together the Just a Few Friends celebration that quickly cemented itself on the Key West events calendar.
with him for the rest of his life.”
Jimmy Buffett, who passed away Sept. 1, 2023, called Key West home during some of his most productive years. The island’s influence is widely credited with inspiring many of his most enduring songs, including the classic hit “Margaritaville” and he called a pivotal early album “A1A.”
Following the passage of a bill in the Florida House of Representatives and Senate, and its signing by Gov. Ron DeSantis, all segments of A1A from Key West to the FloridaGeorgia line are now named the “A1A Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway.”
The Florida Department of Transportation will install the new A1A signs at a future date.
The bill’s sponsors Sen. Lauren Book, Rep. Chuck Clemons and Rep. Jim Mooney spoke at Friday’s ceremony alongside Lucy Buffett.
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OLD DOG, NEW TRICKS Open minds accept new ideas (or bands)
Iwouldn’t consider myself a closedminded individual. Through my years in government service, I’ve learned that no one has a monopoly on good ideas. The best and most creative solutions can come from unexpected places.
I have, however, railed a bit in this space about the lack of qualitative value in much of the new music that’s popular today. I still stand by nearly all of what I’ve written. But now and again, I find (or am introduced to) an artist that I wouldn’t have ever thought of following.
Case in point is the band Green Day. I am the Take Stock mentor for a wonderful and talented student named Dakota. He sings and plays guitar, he has had stellar roles in high school and community theater productions, and is an all-around great guy. We first met when he was beginning eighth grade; he’s just started his senior year at MHS. And he’s a fan of Green Day.
Rewind the clock to several months back when Dakota’s mom offered to buy Dakota tickets to see Green Day for his birthday. It just so happened that the nearest stop on their latest tour was Truist Park in Atlanta — the Braves’ baseball stadium. We made travel plans that included Dakota’s friend Adrian and Adrian’s dad Arjen. The plan involved a rented minivan, two nights in a hotel near the stadium and 26 hours of driving in a 63-hour window of time.
Seeing as how I was going to see Green Day live, I thought I would buy some of their music to have on my phone and listen to in advance of the concert. I am so glad Dakota introduced me to their music.
I’d never heard much Green Day except for hits like “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” and “Boulevard of Broken Dreams.” I discovered that this band has a catalog of music spanning 30 years … and that I have been missing out on some really cool tunes.
I had avoided a lot of punk rock throughout the years, as I found what I’d heard to be just a lot of two- or three-chord songs played at uberadrenalized tempos of 150-180 BPM. While Green Day’s music has all the energy associated with punk, there’s a musicality there that most other punk bands don’t (or can’t) approach. Not
only that, there’s a social conscience and messages that transcend the anger of a lot of other punk.
What Green Day has that many others don’t is simple: really good songs played really well. Mike Dirnt is an amazing bass player. Tré Cool is one of the most amazing rock drummers ever — how he keeps up that intensity for a 2-½hour show is the stuff of legend. And singer-guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong is a frontman on the level of a Bruce Springsteen or Mick Jagger. Together, the band is a well-oiled unit, with a wellrehearsed tight show that is still loose and spontaneous.
Augmented by a keyboardist and two additional guitarists, the band easily recreates its arrangements on stage. And Armstrong keeps an entire stadium audience on their feet and dancing for the entire show, even all the way to the back rows of the upper deck. The concert we all saw in Atlanta was — seriously — one of the best rock concerts I’ve ever attended.
If I’ve piqued your curiosity about Green Day, here are some places to start. During the concert we just experienced, the band played two entire albums: “Dookie” and “American Idiot.” Either of those is a really good place to start. I’d also recommend their brand new album, “Saviors.” And there are a few good greatest-hits-style compilations as well.
I’d like to thank Dakota for the opportunity to take that trip to Atlanta to see one of my new favorite bands. I really did have the time of my life.
— Catch John live Thursdays at Sparky’s Landing, this Friday at Lorelei with Jade Storm, Saturday at the Schooner Wharf Bar in Key West with Gary Hempsey’s band, and Sunday afternoons at Skipjack Tiki. Find his music anywhere you download or stream your music. www.johnbartus.com • johnbartus. hearnow.com
2 bedroom, 2 bath mobile home centrally located in mid Marathon. Large screened porch. 50 X 97lot. Reduced $325,000 MLS# 610518
2 Bedrooms, 2 baths each side in this 2,752 sq ft duplex located on a 10,000 sq ft lot.. Great deep water access to the ocean or Gulf. Listed at appraised value. $1,800,000
John Bartus is a singer/songwriter, city administrator for Key Colony Beach and the former mayor of Marathon.
JOHN BARTUS
Green Day. WIKIPEDIA/Contributed
PROHIBITION SAW RAIDS & ARRESTS IN KEY WEST
Local sheriff and federal agents spar over prisoner handling
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.
During Prohibition, there was no shortage of places to acquire alcohol in the Florida Keys. Occasionally, federal Prohibition agents visited those places, often referred to as speakeasies, tea rooms and blind pigs.
Local law enforcement agencies visited them, too, mostly on business but sometimes for pleasure.
As can be imagined, a place to pick up a bottle of booze during the Prohibition years in the Florida Keys would be a poorly kept secret, and secrets are hard things to keep on islands. One of the advantages of the island chain, especially during the Prohibition years, was that access to the islands was limited. Prohibition lasted from 1920 to 1933. It was only in 1927 that State Road 4A, the first version of the Overseas Highway, provided a link between the mainland and Key West.
Before the road opened to traffic, people could reach Key West via boat or the Key West Extension of the Florida East Coast Railway. When federal agents boarded the train on the mainland en route to Key West, it was not unusual for that information to be relayed to train stations from Jewfish Creek to Key West via telegraph or telephone.
One event involving federal officers arriving in Key West aboard Henry Flagler’s train sparked quite a spirited back and forth among the agents, the community and local law enforcement. It started on Feb. 16, 1926, when agents boarded the train in Miami and traveled to Key West. The agents were described as “eight big men” carrying “eight big guns” who possessed a big stack of search warrants.
Several newspaper accounts describe the event that followed as the first “sweeping raids against liquor traffic in Key West.” During the agents’ brief stay, they raided 25 businesses. Nearly half of the establishments stood within two blocks of police headquarters. The evidence the agents collected ranged from a single one-quart bottle to 10 cases of alcohol. The agents arrested 15 people, including Mr. and Mrs. Paul Lowe from Stock Island. Two of the individuals who were arrested were allegedly knocked in the head with bottles and dragged to jail bleeding from their scalps. They received no medical attention.
Federal agents recovering alcohol in Miami during Prohibition. FLORIDA MEMORY PROJECT/Contributed
According to accounts quoted in local newspapers and alleged by Sheriff Roland Curry, the agents did not act in a lawful manner. Witnesses observed that when contraband was not discovered, the agents destroyed property, smashed glasses and cracked bottles of ginger ale.
Additionally, after locking their prisoners in the Monroe County Jail, the agents failed to fill out the proper paperwork before heading to the train station to return to Miami.
In response, Justice of the Peace Rogelio Gomez signed warrants for the arrest of two agents, W.A. Dickinson and W.M. Thomas, for assaulting prisoner Avona Morales and for grand larceny. At about 7:45 p.m., Curry arrived at the Key West train station and attempted to serve the warrants.
When Curry approached the agents, they refused to identify the two officers named in the warrants. Curry told the agents that unless the proper paperwork was filled out and placed in his hands by 9 p.m., he would set the prisoners free as he had no authority to hold them without it.
The Prohibition agents ignored Curry and took any “evidence” that they had collected back to Miami. After the train departed Key West, Curry called ahead to Miami to have the two men arrested, but his message was seemingly ignored — at least at first. Back at the Monroe County Jail, Curry released the 15 people who had been taken into custody.
Curry’s charge of grand larceny involved the theft of a handbag from one of the café owners across the street from the La Concha Hotel. The handbag, purchased on a trip to Egypt, contained a $450 diamond ring, a pearl necklace and $30 in cash. As for the of-
ficers named in the warrants for assault and grand larceny, as of February 17, only Dickinson had been served a warrant, arrested and posted a $500 bond.
In the days that followed, Curry received a telegram from the U.S. Marshal’s office to hold nine of the prisoners apprehended during the raid until warrants could be delivered to Key West. Because the telegram was received 60 hours after the arrests, Curry had no authority to hold those named, even if he knew where they were since they had been released.
It was not the end of the story. In subsequent newspaper articles, acting State Prohibition Administrator P. F. Hambsch accused Key West officers of framing the agents. Curry’s response was printed in the March 1, 1926, edition of the Miami Tribune.
“Hambsch no doubt bases his statements on information given him by the agents. He has not heard the testimony of the score or more of witnesses who have signed affidavits that the agents assaulted their prisoners and also featured in the alleged thefts.”
According to the same March 1 story, U.S. Judge William Gover would defend the agents. A spokesman for the Federal Prohibition Office issued the statement: “We are not worried about charges against local agents who figured in the Key West liquor raid. If authorities down there wish, they can make the charge murder.”
Details regarding the outcome of the case against the Prohibition agents appear murky. In June, Curry died in a boating accident while in the Bahamas. Cases against the agents seem to have been turned over to the U.S. Court.
HEROES ON THE MOVE Hawks Cay’s annual 5K honors first responders
ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com
Running a 5K race is a challenge in and of itself. Running that same race in August in the Florida Keys in full tactical or firefighter gear? That’s another story. Accompanying Hawks Cay Resort’s months-long Heroes Salute to honor members of the military and other first responders, the resort closed out the month of August with its annual 5K race around the streets of Duck Key. Flanked by trucks and vessels from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Monroe County Fire Rescue and more, runners took to the line at daybreak, some carrying dozens of pounds in their department’s gear through 3.1 miles to the finish.
Proceeds from the morning run benefited the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, committed to providing lifesaving equipment and needed resources to first responders and public safety organizations.
Racers fill the parking lot of Angler and Ale restaurant before scattering through the streets of Duck Key in Hawks Cay Resort’s annual Heroes Salute 5K. Photos by ROSS SMITH/IslandExposureCo. See more race photos at keysweekly.com.
NIGHTS!
The City of Marathon vacation rental law requires a vacation rental property license for every dwelling unit that rents between 7 and 28 nights, and the unit cannot be rented for less than seven (7) nights. The renting of any private residence for a period of less than seven (7) nights is prohibited The City of Marathon researches and investigates vacation rental poperties to find and fine scofflaws. Violations of vacation rental law can be as high as $500 per day, per offense and can be up to $5,000 per occurrence.
The City also requires that each vacation rental unit be managed by a licensed agent or the owner. To learn more about Marathon’s vacation rental laws visit Marathon’s website at https://www.ci.marathon.fl.us, and you can take the City’s free vacation rental training course.. The training is free and the management license cost is free for own-
MARATHON COMMUNITY CHURCH
FUNCTIONALLY CAFFEINATED WELLNESS
Vitamin D deficiency: a surprising concern
Florida, known as the "Sunshine State," is famous for its abundant sunlight, making it an unlikely place for the “sunshine” vitamin D deficiency. However, despite the ample sun exposure, a significant number of Floridians still struggle with low levels of this essential nutrient. Studies have shown that up to 30% of Florida residents are deficient in vitamin D.
This surprising statistic can be attributed to several factors. Many Floridians, especially older adults and those with darker skin, may not produce enough vitamin D despite living in a sunny climate. Additionally, the widespread use of sunscreen to protect against skin cancer, while crucial, can block the UV rays necessary for vitamin D synthesis. In layman's terms, we’ve gotten “too good” at limiting our sun exposure.
Florida isn’t the only state with alarmingly low vitamin D levels; according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), some 42% of all Americans are deficient in vitamin D, a startling statistic given its importance in bone health, immune function and overall well-being.
Among the states, largely due to long, dark winters, Alaska has one of the highest rates of deficiency, with some studies indicating that as many as 65% of Alaskans have insufficient levels. Other northern states, including Oregon and Washington, also report high deficiency rates for similar reasons.
Vitamin D deficiency is more common in certain populations, including older adults, individuals with darker skin and those with limited sun exposure. The deficiency rate among African Americans is particularly high, with over 80% being affected. This is because melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color, reduces the skin’s ability to produce vitamin D from sunlight.
Vitamin D plays a pivotal role in calcium absorption, which is essential for maintaining strong bones. A deficiency can lead to a variety of health problems. In children, a severe deficiency can result in rickets, a condition characterized by bone deformities. In adults, low levels of vitamin D can lead to osteomalacia, a softening of the bones, and contribute to osteoporosis, increasing the risk of fractures. Beyond bone health, vitamin D deficiency has been linked to a higher risk of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and certain cancers. It is also associated with an increased susceptibility to infections, as vitamin D is crucial for a properly functioning immune system. Recent studies have even suggested a potential link between low vitamin D levels and a higher risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes, highlighting the importance of maintaining adequate levels.
To avoid deficiency, the NIH recommends a daily intake of 600 to 800 IU (International Units) of vitamin D for most adults, with higher amounts — 1,000 to 2,000 IU — being safe and often necessary for those at risk of deficiency. This intake can be achieved through a combination of sun exposure, diet and supplements. For individuals living in northern latitudes or those with limited sun exposure, dietary intake and supplementation become especially important. The body produces vitamin D when the skin is exposed to sunlight, but during the winter months or in regions with limited sunlight, relying solely on sun exposure is insufficient.
JENNIFER BOLTZ HARVEY
...is a Marathonbased ACSMcertified personal trainer and precision nutrition coach who owns and operates Highly Motivated Functionally Caffeinated LLC. Hello@highlymotivatedfc.com
Vitamin D and mental health
Vitamin D is involved in the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that contributes to feelings of well-being and happiness. Low levels of serotonin are associated with mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. Adequate vitamin D levels can help maintain healthy serotonin levels, potentially reducing the risk of these conditions.
Vitamin D receptors are found throughout the brain, particularly in areas involved in cognitive processes and memory. Research suggests that vitamin D supports brain function and may protect against cognitive decline as we age. Deficiency in vitamin D has been linked to an increased risk of developing neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.
There is evidence that vitamin D may play a role in reducing the body’s stress response. It can help modulate the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which controls the body’s reaction to stress. By helping regulate this system, vitamin D might contribute to lower levels of stress and anxiety.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that occurs during the fall and winter months when sunlight exposure decreases. This reduction in sunlight can lead to lower vitamin D levels, which is thought to contribute to the development of SAD.
Chronic inflammation has been linked to various mental health disorders, including depression. Vitamin D has anti-inflammatory properties, and maintaining adequate levels may help reduce inflammation, thereby supporting mental health.
Top foods for boosting vitamin D
• While sunlight is the most natural source of vitamin D, certain foods can help boost your intake:
• Fatty fish: Salmon, mackerel and tuna are among the best natural sources of vitamin D. A single serving of salmon can provide more than 500 IU.
• Egg yolks: Eggs are a convenient and versatile source of vitamin D. One egg yolk contains about 40 IU, so incorporating eggs into your diet can contribute to your daily intake.
• Mushrooms: Certain mushrooms, such as maitake and shiitake, can provide a significant amount of vitamin D, especially when exposed to sunlight.
• Cod liver oil: A traditional remedy for vitamin D deficiency, cod liver oil is incredibly rich in vitamin D. Just one tablespoon contains more than 1,300 IU, making it a potent supplement.
WATERFRONT RESTAURANT
Enjoy our daily specials like Homemade Soup or Chowder, Fresh Fish Sandwich or One of our Daily Specials while overlooking Florida Bay! Open for Lunch & Dinner Every Day!
RETAIL STORE
Fish, Soups and Chowders & Key Lime Pie!
WILD CAUGHT KEY WEST PINK SHRIMP - ALL SIZES!
PLEASE VOTE US, BEST SUNSET BEST SEAFOOD, BEST FISH SANDWICH AND BEST COOK YOUR CATCH!
BABY ON BOARD
Orphaned manatee rescued in Marathon
A calf is monitored in the water for more than 24 hours before rescue to confirm that he is orphaned and in need of help. COLE GRIFFITH/Dolphin Research Center
On Aug. 27, Dolphin Research Center’s manatee rescue team and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) rescued a very young manatee in Marathon. The approximately 5-foot male calf was monitored without interference for over 24 hours to determine that he was, in fact, orphaned and not being cared for by an adult manatee. He was evaluated onsite by Dolphin Research Center veterinarian Dr. Scott Gearhart and was transported to SeaWorld Orlando for care and rehabilitation.
For more than three decades, DRC’s manatee rescue team has responded to countless animals when they are in trouble. From orphaned babies to those wounded by boat hits, entanglements, or others suffering from disease or other harmful conditions, when a manatee needs help, the team is ready to come to its aid.
Training is crucial to reduce the risk of injury to both manatees and mankind during rescues. The team works closely with the state and federal entities responsible for overseeing the welfare of these animals.
To report a manatee in distress call 1-888-404FWCC(3922). Please do not attempt to approach or assist the manatee. Above all, do not get into the water. Manatees are normally very gentle, but they are still wild, powerful animals and can weigh up to a ton. Getting in the water puts you at risk, and your good intentions may scare away the injured animal and prevent professional rescuers from giving it assistance.
— Contributed
THE MARATHON CHAMBER WANTS YOU
No better time to join
During September and October, the Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce is recruiting area businesses to become members.
“Membership has many benefits, such as business referrals, marketing opportunities, continuing education and beautification grants, as well as having an organization that represents and supports your business,” said Teri Hiller, chair of the board of directors for the Marathon chamber.
The chamber has put together a package of incentives for new members. Those joining in September and October will receive the following free or discounted items:
• Marathon Weekly: free business spotlight ad.
• Florida Keys Free Press: free business spotlight ad.
• Time Out Magazine: 50% off for three ad runs (includes ad design).
• Marathon & The Middle Florida Keys Magazine: 20% off all ads.
• Marathon UPS Store: 20% print discount for Chamber members.
• US1 Graphics: New members get a free 32-ounce stainless steel drinking tumbler ($50 value) and a discount package on business printing, branded clothing, T-shirts, signs and banners.
• Overseas Media Group: free website audit or consultation.
• Magnum Broadcasting: 25 free ads on Keys Talk 102.5/96.9, plus 25 free ads on 105.7.
• Two Oceans Digital: Destination marketing opportunities are available on top tourism websites for the Florida Keys: Fla-Keys.com, Keywest.com and FloridaKeys.com. Mention this article and receive three months for the price of two on new contracted services. Restrictions apply. Also offering free digital marketing consultation.
• Sandra Lee Photography Studio10% off professional headshot and marketing photos/videos.
• Marathon Chamber of Commerce: 20% off advertising. (Visitor Center, newsletter, web banner, travel e-blast; minimum one-year commitment).
• Marathon Chamber of Commerce: Join now and your membership will include the rest of 2024 and all of 2025. 1.3 years for the price of one year.
New members joining in September and October will be entered into a raffle to win a free dinner for two, valued at $200, at the Rhum House.
The Marathon Chamber of Commerce provides other opportunities for business members such as monthly networking events (Business After Hours, lunches), academic scholarships, candidate forums, advertising opportunities in our Marathon Visitor Center, website, travel e-blast, newsletter and more, as well as our annual educational seminars.
“As we grow our membership, we are able to expand these and other new programs to our members and community,” said chamber CEO Daniel Samess. “What comes in goes back out in a way that benefits our businesses and community.”
More information is available at 305-743-5417 or via email to membership@FloridaKeysMarathon.com. The chamber is located at 12222 Overseas Highway in Marathon and is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. — Contributed
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK!
Mon - Fri 11am to Close Sat & Sun 10am to Close
HAPPY HOUR 1-4PM
$7 Menu
• Chicken wings, chicken livers and More!
• 32 beers on tap 1/2 off 2pm - 3pm
* $2 Pints of Yuengling and Bud Light!
BREAKFAST SERVED UNTIL 2PM
• Unique & interesting menu
• $3 Mimosas • $5 Breakfast Shots
LUNCH & DINNER
• Lobster Enchiladas
• Diver Speared Local Fish
• Prime Rib • Local Lobster
• Cook Your Own Catch
• Great Seafood Selections
SUSHI
MARY
10-year-old female shepherd mix.
Looking for: I’m a sweet senior looking to cuddle. Turnoffs: Cats. They look suspicious.
SWIPE RIGHT
LUNA
8-year-old female pit bull mix.
Looking for: I’m a ham for attention, I love people and kids.
Turnoffs: Being at the shelter.
• Toro • Lionfish • Poke • Hamachi collar
• Fresh Uni arrives on Thursday
We would appreciate your Vote for Best Sushi, Best Burger & Best Bloody Mary!
Adorable furry faces are waiting for families at the Florida Keys SPCA
Keys Weekly is thrilled each week to showcase some “furever” friends that are ready, waiting and available for their perfect adoption “match” at the Florida Keys SPCA’s Marathon campus – complete with their best qualities, preferences and turnoffs to ensure the best fit.
CHUCK & CHARLIE
From cats and dogs to Guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, reptiles and birds, the perfect addition to your family is waiting for you at one of the SPCA’s two campuses, in Key West and Marathon. The SPCA’s knowledgeable staff will help with advice and care tips while working to ensure a good fit between each pet and its people.
See all the animals waiting for a home at fkspca.org. To contact the Marathon campus, call 305-743-4800 or visit 10550 Aviation Blvd.
Hurricane fosters needed. With hurricane season upon us, the SPCA needs volunteers and fosters in case of a storm. Over 100 animals would need to be evacuated, so it is crucial they all have homes in place before an impending storm. The SPCA provides everything you need; all
2-month-old male domestic shorthairs.
Looking for: We’re brothers looking to be adopted together.
Turnoffs: Going back to the streets – we’re house cats now.
you do is give an animal a safe haven during the storm and return them to the shelter once it’s safe – that is, if you don’t fall in love. For more information on becoming a hurricane foster, visit https://fkspca.org/volunteer/becomea-foster-volunteer/ or call 305-7434800.
OPEN FOR TOURS
But don’t expect a petting zoo
REEF
THE FOX
Reef is a red fox that was saved from a fur farm. He now lives in Key Largo with his human, Nicole Navarro.
Hi friends! Reef the fox here with your weekly Reef’s Report. We had an exciting day last week as we celebrated the grand opening of the Human-Animal Alliance Healing Den at Pawsitive Beginnings. Many of our amazing friends and supporters showed up to witness this milestone. Monroe County Mayor Holly Merrill Raschein proclaimed Aug. 27 as Pawsitive Beginnings Day in the Florida Keys. So that’s a guaranteed party every year now on Aug. 27, I think.
I have some other really exciting news to share. After a long wait, we are now officially open to the general public for tours. Each month my mother, founder Nicole Navarro, will open up select days and times for these tours. The September calendar is up and active for booking. The only way to book a tour is through our website at pawsitivebeginnings.org under the “book a tour” tab.
We are offering private tours, for groups of one to four people only, for one hour. The price is $150 for one
hour and that money goes directly to the nonprofit. So needless to say, I am excited to make new friends with these tours. Everyone needs to keep in mind there is no guaranteed contact with any of the foxes, including me. We are individuals with individual personalities and some days, we just prefer to relax and not be outgoing.
My mother will never force an interaction just because someone has booked a tour. This is not a petting zoo or a roadside circus. This is a sanctuary and will remain as such. So, if you decide to book a tour, please make sure to read the guidelines carefully before you purchase.
We are also gearing up for Best of the Upper Keys nominations this month. I sincerely hope you will consider yours truly for the Best Local Celebrity title, for the third year in a row, and I am going to be pushing hard for a first time win in the Best Nonprofit category for Pawsitive Beginnings. I have already been making campaign videos and photos for when nominations start, so as soon as it is time, I will let you know.
Anywho, that’s all for this week. Be sure to keep up with all things fox by heading to our website where you can find the links to all of our social media pages. Thank you again to our entire Florida Keys community for showing up and showing out last week for our ribbon cutting.
Until next time, Reef, over and out!
Reef, pictured bottom, and Jasper. They’re among the foxes rescued from a Minnesota fur farm and living at the Pawsitive Beginnings fox sanctuary in Key Largo. WEEKLY FILE PHOTO
CHRIS
M cNULTY
is an astrologer, wanderer, bartender and advocate for queer justice. He is a loquacious Gemini with a cozy Cancer rising. Find him at hearthandheraldastrology.com
Fiery and aggressive Mars dips into the cool, emotional waters of Cancer this week, bringing some intensity of feeling and a strong impulse to protect. Mars is not particularly comfortable in Cancer because Cancer is a sign of sustainability and maintenance and Mars is a planet of getting things done for the sake of the action alone. Sitting with feelings does not naturally lend itself to effective action. However, Mars in Cancer does ask us to defend the things that we love and to cut the cord to allow what we nurture to live a life of its own. The other major astrological moment this week is Mercury forming a 90-degree square to Uranus, and you will absolutely want to mind your Ps and Qs when it comes to communication. This aspect is ripe for saying the wrong thing too quickly, or getting surprising news out of left field that throws you off balance.
Here are your horoscopes for Mars’s entry into Cancer and Mercury square Uranus. Read for your rising and sun signs.
VIRGO
Aug. 23 - Sept. 22
You may be called to defend yourself with people in your life you consider friends, and you may just have to cut some people out who no longer serve your well-being. Thinning the herd is absolutely necessary from time to time. At the same time, it looks like you will have some unexpected thoughts electrifying your mind a new philosophy or worldview is available to you. How will you see the world differently this weekend?
LIBRA
Sept. 23 - Oct. 23
Go ahead and throw yourself into your work, but also be prepared to make some cutthroat decisions. You are responsible for your well-being, so practice saying “No” when it is best for you. You will get some unexpected news from your friends this weekend, something about an investment you can make with them. Take some time with your answer.
SCORPIO
Oct. 23 - Nov. 21
There is some news at work that will blindside you, but do your best to receive it in stride. An important partner in your life will be a major influence in this unexpected news - let them aid in letting go. Now is a time to start aggressively critiquing your belief system. Has your worldview become stale? Does it still serve you? How might you expand your horizons to find yourself in new surroundings?
SAGITTARIUS
Nov. 22 - Dec. 21
A surprising trip is around the corner, even if it is a visit to a place in your neighborhood that you have never been before. Enjoy the novelty and let it change your routines to keep things fresh. Start to address some codependency in your life and see what cuts you might be able to make to remove energy from other people that is not yours to carry. Clean house.
CAPRICORN
Dec. 22 - Jan. 19
It is time to address that issue with an important partner in your life, even if it means engaging in some conflict. Compassion is key when having the hard conversations, and sharing your truth can lead to deeper connection. You will probably be surprised by an invitation to invest in a group venture, but if you say yes, be sure that you will have the creative freedom that you need.
AQUARIUS
Jan. 20 - Feb. 18
Time to get back to your routines, Aquarius. When you are in flow with your own wellness and in taking care of your space, your emotional state is balanced. Cut out patterns that no longer serve you. Be prepared for some unexpected news from an important partner, but make sure that your own independence at home is part of the equation.
PISCES
Feb. 19 - March 20
You may come across some new ideas about how to take care of your body and mind, Pisces. A flash of insight will change your concept of personal wellness, and you will have the chance to find a new sense of freedom in your everyday life. Throw yourself into your creative output with tremendous courage and maintain mindfulness when it comes to impulses for pleasure.
ARIES
March 21 - April 19
It looks like a great time to cut some cords with your family, Aries. This doesn’t mean you need to stop talking to family members, but if there is any emotional heaviness from your ancestry that is holding you back, it is time to release the weight so you can fly higher. Some surprising and happy news is coming your way, but ensure your response encourages your financial freedom.
TAURUS
April 20 - May 20
When you get news from your family, be measured in your response. Make sure your reaction to family is grounded in your own freedom as an independent person. It is a great time to get really active in your local community, even if that means just taking a walk around the neighborhood every night. Cut out some space to make sure you are engaging with your familiar world.
CUT THE CORD
GEMINI
May 21 - June 20
You may be very surprised by some of the words that come out of your mouth, as if your words are not your own. Use this new communication ability to free yourself from some of the heavy feelings you carry - find the therapeutic method in the new expression. You experience some financial difficulties, but the cosmos is asking you to work harder. You can roll your eyes, but do ask yourself where you can invest more energy.
CANCER
June 21 - July 22
It’s ok to be a bit selfish, Cancer. Self-focus is not always the easiest for our Cancers, but sometimes you really need to cut the needs of others out so you can take care of your own, which ultimately is a gift to the people that care about you. Find the selfless in the selfish. Some surprising financial news is coming your way, and your support network may just offer some financial freedom.
LEO
July 23 - Aug. 22
How do you undermine yourself, Leo? What are the ways that you undo the goals that you set out for yourself? It is high time to cut those compulsions out of your life and to get really intentional about how you go after what you want. You may use this energy to think of yourself differently and find your freedom in the work that you do.
MEET SCOTT JONES
A Q&A with one of Marathon’s utility workers
The city of Marathon is proud to feature Scott Jones, one of the hardworking employees performing utility maintenance across the city.
“Scott consistently demonstrates exceptional dedication and a commitment to excellence in his work. He frequently goes above and beyond his regular duties, showing a proactive attitude and a strong work ethic,” said Joaquin Miranda, utility collections supervisor. “Scott’s hard work is evident in the quality of his output and his willingness to assist his colleagues. His contributions significantly impact our team’s success and morale.”
SCOTT JONES
Utility maintenance
How long have you worked for the city of Marathon? A little less than a year. The group I work with treats me like family and we all work together. I’ve never worked with a better team than these guys.
What do you do every day? I do regular maintenance at our wastewater plants. I am also called out to city addresses to help with wastewater emergencies. I’ve been at work since 3 a.m. this morning because I am on the after-hours call rotation this week. FYI, the city’s emergency utility phone number is 305-517-6764.
What do you find at homes where there’s a sewer issue? Usually, it’s grease. I clean up a lot of grease. It builds up in your wastewater system and doesn’t go anywhere … just like your arteries. Rags and feminine products can also cause problems, but mainly grease. Don’t dump grease down the drain!
Is there a downside to this job? Yes, I get covered in yucky stuff quite frequently.
What did you do before you worked for the city? I moved here about 25 years ago from North Carolina to become a commercial stone crab and lobster fisherman. I fished with my adopted parents, Patsy and Ronnie Boggess. When I was a fisherman I was always fixing things and figuring things out, so this job at the city is a natural for me.
What’s your favorite day of the year in Marathon? Opening day of regular lobster season, out on the boat, with my partner Sarah Bruno. I love the water and getting out there just for fun. I also do a lot of pole fishing for snapper and grouper. No more frying fish, though – everything is baked or prepared a little healthier now that I am 45 years old. — Contributed
Utility maintenance worker Scott Jones. SARA MATTHIS/City of Marathon
BRIEFLY
State attorney warns of fraudulent court letters
Local residents are being warned about a new scam involving fraudulent letters that falsely claim to be from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. These letters claim that a bench warrant has been issued due to a failure to respond to a jury summons. The scam letters are being sent in priority mail envelopes and falsely list names of real officials. The letter threatens recipients with arrest, fines and jail unless immediate action is taken. However, this is a scam. Neither law enforcement agencies nor courts send out such letters especially via priority mail, nor do they threaten immediate arrest or demand payment over the phone. If you receive one of these letters, do not respond. If you have concerns, contact your local court or law enforcement directly using verified contact information from their official websites or public directories. If you are contacted, report the scam to local law enforcement.
Tell your best tale at MCT’s Story Slam
At some point, we’ve all done or said something that made us wonder, “What was I thinking?” Your chance to share your story happens at the next Marathon Community Theater Story Slam on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 7 p.m. Admission is free for all ages. The audience will vote for their favorite, with a $50 cash prize awarded to the top vote-getter. Stories can be funny, serious, sentimental or heartbreaking, as long as they relate to the “What was I thinking?” theme. They must be true, personal to the speaker, and run five to six minutes long. Guests are welcome to simply come, listen and vote. For more information and to see all upcoming events, visit www.marathontheater.org.
Man wanted in June chase arrested on warrants
A 27-year-old Pompano Beach, Florida man with warrants for his arrest for fleeing from the sheriff’s office earlier this year was arrested Aug. 30. Travis John Hanna was charged with fleeing and eluding, fleeing and eluding causing serious bodily injury, reckless driving, DUI, and multiple counts of DUI causing property damage. The incident occurred in June 2024 in Marathon. Other motorists reported a Mercedes was driving recklessly into oncoming traffic. The sheriff’s office observed the driver, later identified as Hanna, allegedly drive 90 mph while illegally passing other vehicles into oncoming traffic. Hanna struck two vehicles before crashing into a utility pole and traffic sign. Deputies say they found 10 empty bottles of whiskey,
one bottle of white wine, one empty bottle of red wine, and 11 vodka seltzer beverages in the Mercedes.
Big Pine man arrested for stalking and burglary
A 66-year-old Big Pine Key man was arrested Aug. 31 for allegedly illegally entering a neighboring property and exposing himself to an adult female victim. Daniel James Lynch was charged with burglary, indecent exposure and harassment. The sheriff’s office was called to a home on Big Pine Key whereupon a female resident stated Lynch had entered her property twice in recent days naked or exposed. In one instance he was improperly touching himself. The victim provided security video evidence of Lynch’s actions. Lynch admitted to the behavior when confronted by the sheriff’s office and was taken to jail.
Zonta Club presents Roaring ’20s Bingo
The Zonta Club of Marathon will present a Roaring ’20s Bingo Night and raffle on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 5 p.m. at the Marathon Elks Lodge, 8239 Overseas Hwy. in Marathon. A $40 pre-sale ticket – $50 at the door – covers 7 games with six strips each. More information is available from Cara at 305-731-7887. The Zonta Club of Marathon is an organization of business and professional women dedicated to improving the circumstances of women at all stages of life, locally and globally.
Suicide prevention training at Key Largo library
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Miami-Dade will give free evidence-based suicide prevention training on Monday, Sept. 9 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Key Largo library. This session will teach how to identify warning signs that someone may be considering suicide, how to intervene and persuade them to get help and refer them to appropriate resources.
The event will feature Lisa LaSueur, certified “Question, Persuade and Refer” trainer. Attendees will receive a certification upon completion. More information on this training is at 305-6652540 or scan the QR code.
AMERICAN DEBT AND DELINQUENCY ARE RISING
Take control with these tips
is the University of Florida, IFAS Monroe County Extension Director and Community Development Agent
An increasing number of Americans are reaching the limits on their credit cards. According to the Federal Reserve, credit card delinquency rates have hit a nearly 12-year high. In the first quarter of 2024, nearly one-fifth of credit card borrowers used at least 90% of their available credit. The New York Fed highlighted the “maxed-out borrowers” issue in a recent report.
Since late 2021, credit card balances and delinquencies have steadily risen, starkly contrasting the historic lows seen during the pandemic’s peak. According to the Fed, delinquencies have now surpassed pre-pandemic levels.
Cardholders who are maxed out are significantly more likely to miss payments. Those who became delinquent in early 2024 had a median utilization rate of 90%, indicating they were nearly at their credit limits.
So, what can you do if you are in debt? Here are some tips to get that debt under control.
Key takeaways
• Develop a plan: To address credit card debt effectively, create a plan and adhere to it.
• Prioritize payments: Focus on paying off cards with the highest interest rates first or those with the smallest balances.
• Pay more than the minimum: Paying more than the minimum amount each month reduces the overall interest paid.
Target one debt at a time
• Multiple balances: If you have balances on multiple credit cards, always pay at least the minimum on each. Then, concentrate on paying down the total balance on one card at a time.
• High-interest debt: Check your statements for interest rates and
prioritize paying off the highest-rate debt first.
Snowball method: Pay off the card with the smallest balance first. Once fully paid, use the money previously allocated to that card to pay down the next smallest balance.
Pay more than the minimum
• Long-term savings: Paying only the minimum takes much longer to clear your balance and incurs higher interest costs. Paying more than the minimum saves on interest.
• Statement guidance: Credit card statements typically show how much you can save by paying more than the minimum.
Quick tip – extra payments
• Paying even a little extra each month directly reduces your balance, thus lowering the interest you pay.
Consolidate debt
• Combine balances: Consolidating debt merges higher-interest balances into one lower-rate balance, enabling faster debt reduction without increasing payments.
• Balance transfers: Use low balance transfer rates to move debt from high-interest cards, considering any transfer fees versus potential savings.
• Home equity: If you have home equity, a line of credit might offer a lower rate to pay down card debt, though closing costs may apply.
• Spending control: Post-consolidation, it’s crucial to manage spending to prevent accumulating new debt.
Track your spending
• Categorize expenses: Use your credit card statement to categorize monthly spending (e.g., groceries, housing). Identify areas to cut back and apply saved money to debt repayment.
ALICIA BETANCOURT
PIXABAY
To the Editor:
I’m a Floridian who moved to the Keys 35 years ago, inspired by years of diving the third-longest barrier reef in the world. Three years ago I witnessed, across from my home, the escalation of our habitat destruction. West Fanny Key, the most active bird rookery in Marathon, was illegally cleared by a bulldozer to make a helicopter landing pad for the owner of the house next door. Nothing has been done to date other than a token fine being paid and the contractor being reprimanded. With impunity, the helicopter has since landed there.
I now live at the other end of Marathon next to several acres of unblemished wetlands with old growth mangroves and a healthy wading bird population, even flamingos on occasion. We moved here believing this was one of the few remaining pieces of protected wetlands habitat in Marathon. Today I came home to a bulldozer clearing a 15-foot swath through 400 feet of old growth mangroves for “access” to get a core analysis towards acquiring a permit to build a commercial warehouse. This was sanctioned by the Army Corps of Engineers and DEP, the same state entities being used to sanction golf courses being built in our state wildlife refuges.
Marathon’s resident population, with any collective memory of the environmental integrity we have lost, has diminished greatly. The demographic majority is now persons having moved here in the last few years. Most of our long-term rental residents, including many of my employees, have been replaced by higher-revenue-generating, short-term rental tourists. There is far more financial incentive towards maximizing development and Airbnb revenue than retention of what little environmental integrity we have left. You only need to look at the degradation of nearshore water habitat, pollution reports, decline of marine life, sea grass and the demise of 95% of our corals. We have lost our ability to manage infrastructure for the population we currently have. We have incentivized illegal mangrove removal by not adjusting fines relative to property value for decades -- it is now just a “fee." These tidal zone trees are our best source of desperately-needed inshore water filtration.
Having grown up in Marathon, my kids loved to come back with their friends to share their childhood memories by diving in their favorite places. To their disappointed observations, I have to acknowledge the abysmal job my generation has done protecting environmental integrity inside the second-largest marine sanctuary in the country. It seems capitalizing on real estate is the primary regional inertia. I’m writing this because I’m hoping to inspire others to look at our history and recognize it’s not too late to chart a course for recovery. I would like this gem of wetland next door to be a litmus test as to our community's resolve to take responsibility for our expiring wildlife habitats.
Sincerely,
Bob Williams
Gulf of Mexico Blvd.
West Fanny Key
Having Fun in the Middle Keys
Key Lime Pie: Sweet Savannah’s, SS Wreck & Galley Grill, Burdines Waterfront Fish Sandwich: Fish Tales Market and Eatery, Brutus Restaurant & Seafood Market, Keys Fisheries Fine Dining: Florida Keys Steak & Lobster House, Hideaway Cafe, Butterfly Cafe
International Food: La Chapina Restaurant, Frank’s Grill, El Molcajete Mexican Restaurant Cup of Co ee: Curly’s Coffee, Georgies, LJ's Cafe Breakfast: The Stuffed Pig, Marathon Bagel Co, Island Fish Company
Lunch: Irie Island Eats, Burdines Waterfront, Castaway Waterfront Restaurant & Sushi Bar BBQ: Irie Island Eats, Pop's Smoke Shed, Porky's Bayside Restaurant and Marina Bar: Overseas Pub and Grill, Sparky's Landing, Dockside Boot Key Harbor Bartender: Ashley Kelshaw, Morgan at Castaway, Cheddar Server: Brennan Bye, Brook Travis, Jess Wood & Castaway Happy Hour: Castaway Waterfront Restaurant, Sparky’s Landing, Florida Keys Steak & Lobster House Waterfront Dining: Island Fish Co., The Rhum House, Castaway Waterfront & Sushi Bar, Sparky's Landing Live Music Venue: Bongo's Botanical Beer Garden & Cafe, Dockside Boot Key Harbor, Sparky's Landing
Best Pizza: Driftwood Pizza, Pasta, & Subs, Leopoldo La Verace, Coast To Coast Pizza Company
Bloody Mary: Sparky's Landing, Castaway Waterfront Restaurant & Sushi Bar, Island Fish Company
Margarita: Castaway Waterfront Restaurant & Sushi Bar, Island Fish Company, Sparky's Landing
Late Night Spot: Brass Monkey, Overseas Pub & Grill, JJ's DogHouse
Beer Selection: Herbie's Bar & Chowder House, Marathon Grill and Ale House, Bongo's Botanical Beer Garden & Cafe
Catering: Irie Island Eats, Clouds in my Coffee Catering/Private Chef/The Table, Chef Heather
Taco: La Isla Taco Grill, Takeria La Palapa, El Molcajete Mexican Restaurant
Food Truck: Irie Island Eats, Leopoldo La Verace, Fresh Off The Hook
Words that remind us of money are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find:
Do you receive an allowance or payment for chores done around the house? Maybe you get gifts of money at birthday time.
This week, The Mini Page learns about money and good money habits.
THE THREE $’S
The things we must have to survive, such as food, shelter and clothing, are called needs.
Extra things that would be nice to have, but that we could do without, are called wants.
Most people try to budget, or plan, what to do with the money they make or receive.
That way they can be sure there is enough forspending, saving and sharing.
You can make a plan for money you receive as gifts or for doing chores. These three categories will help you decide how you want to use your money.
$PENDING
Spending is using money to buy goods and services. These can be needs or wants.
You may hear your parents talk about “paying the bills.” Each month, most households get notices about how much money they owe for different products and services, such as:
• trash collection • internet
electriciaty • cellphones • doctor visits • lawn services • natural gas or oil for heating the house
pet care
$AVING
People save money for different reasons. They may save for shortterm and long-term goals. You might save money to buy a video game. That would be a short-term goal. You might also save to go to college. That would be a long-term goal.
Experts suggest that younger kids save money at home, for instance in a piggy bank. Older kids may want to open a savings account at a bank.
You might try to save at least 10%, or onetenth, of the money you get. For instance, if you get $5 for allowance, you would save 50 cents. But even if you don’t save quite that much, putting some money into savings is a great habit to start now.
PROTECTING MONEY
Because money is valuable, we need to eep it safe. We can do this by:
• putting it in a bank or credit union where deposits are insured, or protected, by the government.
• never giving out credit card numbers to people who ask for them by phone or on the internet.
British animal experts say they have discovered that hippos can trot so fast that they actually “glide through the air,” however briefly, when at full speed. A report by the Royal Veterinary College says the massive mammals, weighing up to 2 tons, can propel themselves with all four feet off the ground for up to 0.3 seconds at a time. The researchers also found that hippos are more athletic than elephants but less than rhinos. Hippos are dangerous animals and are usually active at night, which makes them difficult to study.
$HARING
For many people, sharing with others who have less has become an important part of their budget. We call this charitable giving.
If you have ever dropped coins into a red kettle during the holidays or placed money in a collection plate at church, you have shared your money. If you plan to share your money regularly, you need to budget for that.
My Budget
Birthday money $30 1/3 for savings -$10 (30 divided by 3) 1/3 for sharing ....................... -$10
Money left to spend ................ $10
A KID’S BUDGET
Some kids do it this way: Whenever they get money, they spend one-third of it, save one-third of it and share one-third of it. You may already have an idea of a group or cause that you want to help with your money. If not, your family can help you decide how to use your sharing money.
MONEY NICKNAMES
Some funny nicknames for money are: • bacon • cheddar • greenbacks • moola • clams • bucks
Mini Fact: Ancient Egyptians used a counting device called an abacus (AB-uh-kuhss)to add large numbers quickly.
9/5
9/5
THE SCOREBOARD
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
WHEATLEY
If you looked up ‘what makes a good teammate,’ Ali would check every box.”
– Lyndie Meyers, ‘Canes head coach
“ALI HAS A LOVE FOR RUNNING, WHICH DRIVES HER TO HAVE A STRONG DESIRE TO COMPETE AND WIN.”
It usually takes a few seasons to forge a successful cross country athlete, but Coral Shores freshman Ali Wheatley exploded out of the gates in her first varsity endeavor, claiming a fifth-place medal at the recent Race of the Thoroughbreds and the top time for her team. Coach Lyndie Meyers marveled at Wheatley’s times both at the race and throughout practice.
“I find myself triple-checking my stopwatch on her run times. This girl is incredibly fast and she makes it look so easy,” Meyers said. “Ali has a love for running, which drives her to have a strong desire to compete and win.”
In Wheatley’s varsity debut, she ran faster than any Coral Shores girl has run in years, giving not just Meyers a level of excitement, but any Hurricane fans. For her dedication to her sport and team, Coral Shores’ Ali Wheatley is the Keys Weekly Athlete of the Week.
THIS WEEK Ali
Freshman, Coral Shores Cross country
fled to the Keys from the frozen mountains of Pennsylvania hours after graduating from college and never looked back. She is a second-generation coach and educator, and has taught in the public school system for over 25 years. She and her husband met at a beginning teacher meeting in 1997 and have three children born and raised in Monroe County. In her free time, McDonald loves flea markets, historical fiction and long runs in the heat.
sean mcdonald
grew up in Miami and moved to the Keys in 1997. He has spent the last 25 years teaching physical education and coaching virtually every sport for Florida Keys kids ages 4 to 18. If you are reading this and live or lived in the Florida Keys, he has probably taught, coached, or coached against someone you know.
Marathon - Alex Rickert alex@keysweekly.com
Upper Keys - Jim McCarthy jim@keysweekly.com
Key West - Mandy Miles mandy@keysweekly.com
The Keys Weekly Sports Wrap is proud to be the only locally-owned publication providing prep sports coverage from Key Largo to Key West. Together with our writers and photographers, we are committed to providing a comprehensive overview of the world of Keys sports with photography that allows our readers to immerse themselves in game action.
THE MARATHON WEEKLY (ISSN 1944-0812) IS PUBLISHED WEEKLY FOR $125 PER YEAR BY WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, INC., 9709 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, MARATHON FL 33050. APPLICATION TO MAIL AT PERIODICALS POSTAGE RATES IS PENDING AT FORT LAUDERDALE FL AND ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES.
All stories, photos, and graphics are copyrighted materials.
CONCHS OVERWHELM MARINERS
Key West High School beats Basilica School in Bone Island Battle on the volleyball court
On Aug. 28, Basilica School made the short trip across town to face the Lady Conchs of Key West High School. Last season, the junior varsity teams matched up and the Mariners came out on top. This season, the Lady Conchs were unstoppable, winning in three sets, 25-11, 25-15 and 25-15.
Despite the score, Key West head coach Kim Butler had some concerns about her team’s overall play style. “It wasn’t very pretty,” she said. “We didn’t play our best. We let them dictate the tempo.”
Butler was happy to come away with a win and was pleased with the performance of a trio of juniors. Audrey Smith remained steady and helped lead the team to a win with 10 kills and no errors, racking up 5 aces against the Mariners. Cat Van Staden had 3 kills with a .429 hitting efficiency, and Molly McKnight was credited with 13 assists and 5 aces.
That would be Basilica School’s only match last week, but the Conchs played again on Aug. 30 against the 7A regional runner-up Bobcats of Boca Raton. Key West found themselves across the net from a much larger team, with a right side hitter standing 6’3” tall. The LSU-commit Bobcat was merciless against Key West, but Butler found positivity in the team’s 3-0 loss, saying it was “good for us to see that caliber of play and strive to be better.”
The Lady Fins fell to 1-3 after a loss to Florida Christian on Aug. 30. Marathon lost in three sets to the Patriots in Miami. The Fins will take on Westwood at home on Thursday, Sept. 5 in a game that was moved from later in the season, then University School on Sept. 12.
tracy mcdonald
AND THEY’RE OFF!
Coral Shores, Basilica School open season with Race of the Thoroughbreds Classic
The Lady ’Canes traveled to Larry & Penny Thompson Park to participate in their first race of the season on Aug. 30, and it was a very different team than it was one year prior. The Hurricanes are reaping the benefits of their work last season, when a very young team paid their dues and built speed and stamina, but struggled to catch up to teams who had been at it for longer.
In race number one, Coral Shores already had a topfive finisher in Ali Wheatley, a freshman who clocked in at a respectable 22:39. Tess Hill, Kate King, Kai Guth and Hayden Teal all managed to complete the course quickly enough to take fourth place overall, setting the tempo for the rest of the season.
“I can’t wait to watch their next race,” said second-year head coach Lyndie Meyers, whose enthusiasm for running and her team are contagious. “We are in a much better position than we were at the beginning of last season.” The Lady ’Canes run again Thursday, Sept. 5 at the FNU Invitational, also held at Larry & Penny Thompson Park. This time they will be joined by the boys team, running their first race of the season.
While the Hurricanes were tearing up the varsity race, Basilica School’s new cross country team opted to toe the line in the junior varsity division of the Race of the Thoroughbreds. Sophomore Noah Wright crossed the line first for the Mariners, finishing in 23:26. Sebastian Davis (eighth grade), Caden King (eighth), Joseph Gauron (seventh), Owen Wright (ninth), Killian Donnelly (11th), Gregory White (eighth) and Max Pluccinek (seventh) rounded out the young crew of Mariners last week.
The inexperience of the team stands to benefit them in the coming weeks, as the newer the runner is, the more their times tend to drop in a single season. The Mariners’ youngest runner took the top spot for the girls team. Campbell Cooper, a sixth-grader, finished the 3.1 miles in 31:41. Junior Gloria Slavik, seventh-grader Alise Lumen and sophomore Zofia Zeledon also competed in the JV race.
The Mariners weren’t the only team with sixth-grade success. The perennial powerhouse Lady Fins ran strong in their opening race at Palmer Trinity School on Aug. 28. The runners slogged through high grass, puddles and thick mud, which slowed down the pace, but not the Fins’ resolve.
Molly Joly finished first for the girls. The sixth-grader edged out senior Ella Dunn, a multi-year state qualifier, by seven seconds, finishing in 25:33. Sophomores Maeve Merryman and Sara Robinson were next, followed by eighth-grader Rebecca Merryman, sophomores Madelyn Thornton and Mylana Loza, then another sixth-grader in Adrianna Dworniczak. Sophomore Lizbeth Garcia rounded out the Lady Fins’ participants last week.
The top finisher for the boys was no surprise; senior Vance Bursa completed the course in 17:29, good enough for third overall and well in front of younger brother Tony, who finished next for Marathon. Allan Taylor took the team’s third spot, and junior Caleb Shelar was fourth for the Fins. The top four Fins were all in the top 20 overall, but before the rest of the pack could finish, the race was called due to nearby lightning strikes.
Despite the unpleasant conditions, head coach Jim Murphy found a silver lining. “We got to open up where districts will be held this year,” he said. “The course was soaked, which made it much more challenging. The kids got to prove to themselves that they can still perform when the conditions are not ideal, which is a great thing to learn at a first race and to remember later on.”
Marathon was on the road again on Sept. 4 for the Miami Country Day Invitational before hosting a meet on Wednesday, Sept. 11. The races start at 3 p.m. with middleschool girls, with staggered start times until 4:45 when the varsity boys take off.
Cross country fans, running enthusiasts and anyone hoping to catch all of the Keys teams in action in one place should be at Sombrero Beach, where the races begin and finish. Marathon, Basilica School, Key West, Key Largo School, Sugarloaf School, Coral Shores and Florida Christian are all scheduled to compete.
Above: Marathon freshman Allan Taylor finished third for the Fins in their opening race of the season. BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly
Top: The Lady ’Canes’ cross country team took fourth place as a team at the Race of the Thoroughbreds on Aug. 30. From left: Kai Guth, Ali Wheatley, Tess Hill, Hayden Teal and Kate King. CONTRIBUTED
A (SPORTS) PAGE FROM HISTORY
Many of the people who remember the Keys in the ‘70s are gone now, but those who remain and those who enjoy reading the Weekly online from Ocala – or wherever the newest mecca is for Keys folks trying to escape the economic insanity – can attest that it was a far different place 50 years ago.
In 1974, the Navy base all but shut down, collapsing much of the local economy in Key West, and while the Keys were always a tourist destination, it took a few years for a full-on rebranding to occur, giving the locals, including highschool athletes, a more close-knit community where everyone knew each other and their business.
In 1974, Key West was rife with changes. The closing of most of the Naval operations affected the Southernmost City the most, and the loss of revenue from the government and the families who lived on base was felt across the island. Compounding this was the expense the football team endured in traveling to the mainland to play their games.
This helped drive the decision to exit the GMAC conference and join one which allowed the Conchs more leeway in choosing opponents for more favorable locations and more favorable results; many believed the GMAC was becoming stacked as Miami exploded in population. The Conchs joined FHSAA’s 4A classification, where they remain today. In their first year with the new district, the Conchs went 5-5 under the tutelage of coach Dave Matheson, who laid the groundwork for Key West’s first district championship the following season. Star wide receiver Richard “Bo” Howard was also a big part of the Conchs’ successful equation, and he earned third team All-State honors in 1974.
A look back at fall prep sports in the Keys 50 years ago
‘Canes, and though his team couldn’t pull off the win over Marathon in ‘74, Russell made a name for himself by launching an 88-yard punt that season. The punt set a Florida high school record and likely didn’t hurt Russell’s scouting prospects; he later played at University of Miami before returning to Coral Shores to teach, coach, serve as athletic director and mentor hundreds of students, athletes and teachers.
Across the island, Mary Immaculate, now Basilica School, added volleyball back into their varsity offerings. The first mention of a girls volleyball team was 30 years prior to that, but what happened between the ‘44 and ‘74 seasons, including when and why the team dissipated, remains unclear. Fifty years later, the Mariners repeated the feat in 2024, giving Key West fans two local volleyball teams to cheer for.
1974 was a big year for the Dolphins. Marathon’s Jim Sikora led the Fins to their first-ever Battle of the Keys Win, defeating Coral Shores 22-0. Sikora served as Marathon’s first coach when the school added varsity football to their schedules in 1970.
One athletic stronghold from the Upper Keys of half a century ago remains. In 1974 and in 2024, there is likely not a single Coral Shores student or staff member with whom Rich Russell is unfamiliar. Russell has a storied history with the
FUN FACTS:
• A ride on the Conch Train in 1974 set you back a buck-fifty.
• A night camping at John Pennekamp State Park was $3.50.
• Anyone rightfully terrified to travel across the old Seven Mile Bridge, which was crumbling and narrow by the mid-1970s, could catch multiple flights each day between Key West and Marathon via Sunshine Air.
Coral Shores graduate Rich Russell played football at the University of Miami. He played tight end but later moved to defensive end. CONTRIBUTED
ANYTHING BUT ROUGH
Keys golfers refining skills with frequent matches and friendly yet strong competition
Local prep golfers have been getting in plenty of practice despite seasonal storms doing their best to dampen the rounds. On Aug. 26, Marathon hosted Key West and Coral Shores for boys and girls play. Key West junior Claudia Steling shot a 42, beating her closest competitor by 10 strokes. Steling birdied on holes one and seven on the winning round. Lexi Finigan and Monica Bueno made it a Conch sweep of the top three spots.
Coral Shores senior Amber Ender was fourth and Charlize Lopez of Key West was fifth. Marathon’s Justice Lee Isom traded in pumping iron for a different sort and claimed sixth place with teammate Makenna Haines in seventh. Sasha Mayer of Coral Shores finished eighth.
The following day, Coral Shores and Marathon headed to Redland Golf Course, home of the Palmer Trinity Falcons, for a quad meet also featuring Riviera Prep. Lady ’Canes senior Gabby Thomas shot a 49 to lead the Keys, with Lee Isom, Haines, Mayer and Ender close behind. Thomas added another round on Aug. 29 at her home course, Ocean Reef. The talented senior shot a 50, placing her in what would have been a five-way tie for fourth place among the boys competition.
Though the girls teams often do not have enough athletes participating in a match to qualify for team scoring, there seems to be no shortage of gentlemen roaming the fairways. At Florida Keys Country Club in Marathon on Aug. 26, the home team narrowly beat out their Keys competitors. The Fins won with the low team score of 177, with Key West close behind at 195 and Coral Shores in third with 213.
Sophomore Roco Piscetello birdied on hole four and ended the day with the low score of 41. Teammates Leo Mendez and Emmett Merryman rounded out the top three golfers of the day. Key West’s Andrew Bassett and Geo Twyman were tied with Merryman for third and Preston Carroll of Coral Shores was sixth. Cullen Coleman-Sayer and Mason Thornton of Marathon tied for seventh, with Peyton Zubieta (Key West), Donovan Thiery (Coral Shores) and Luca Picariello (Marathon) rounding out the top 10.
On Aug. 29, Marathon and Coral Shores met up at Ocean Reef for nine holes of friendly competition. Carroll and Thornton tied at 46 with Coral Shores’ Derek Ramos one stroke behind. Tanel Irons and Brock Bynum of Coral Shores shared fourth place with Marathon’s Piscetello and Max Childress. Mendez, Aidan Althouse of Coral Shores and ColemanSayer placed in the top 10 at the renowned course. Coral Shores won their home match 193-202.
More matches are scheduled this week for all three squads, on Thursday, Sept. 5 at Ocean Reef; Monday, Sept. 9 at Marathon; then back to Ocean Reef on Thursday, Sept. 12.
Coral Shores is the only Keys football team to remain undefeated after clobbering Palmer Trinity last week, winning 22-7 against the Falcons. The game’s outcome was a bit iffy on the opening drive, when Palmer marched down the field and scored to pull ahead 7-0. The ’Canes regrouped, keeping their composure until AJ Putetti scored on a 2-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.
Putetti struck again in the third with a 7-yard run. On the extra-point attempt, the snap was flubbed, but a quick-thinking Yemcel Moreno picked the ball up off the ground and tossed it to Putetti for an extra 2. Putetti struck for a third TD, a 47-yard run, to seal the win for the Hurricanes.
“We are truly blessed to have him,” coach Ed Holly said of his relentless running back. Putetti ended the game with 26 carries for 247 all-purpose yards, 3 touchdowns and a 2-point conversion.
Also playing well for Coral Shores was the defense, which secured the shutout with aggressive play and a bevy of sacks on the Palmer QB. At one point, Palmer was within range of a field goal, but Eddie Holly stepped in and put an end to any hopes the Falcons had of scoring. In addition to the blocked field goal, Holly had 7 solo tackles, 3 for a loss, an interception and a forced fumble.
Jarmoris Davis had 4 sacks, 4 pressures, an assisted tackle and a fumble recovery. Connor Dixon had 3 solo and 1 assisted tackle, a tackle for a loss and a forced fumble and Micah Carr had 3 sacks, a tackle for a loss, 3 pressures and an assisted tackle.
Whether the ’Canes can keep their perfect record is in the hands of Palm Glades Prep, in a game that will now be played in Tavernier. Palm Glades was scheduled to have a home game, but a lack of referees in Miami forced the game to the Keys. However, with a finite number of officials able to work Keys games and a crew already scheduled to work Marathon’s home game, the ’Canes are not entirely certain if their game will be Thursday or Friday night, Sept. 5 or 6. The official determination will occur after presstime.
Marathon fell to 1-1 after a lopsided loss to Florida Chirstian. The Patriots struck first offensively before the Fins answered back with a Fab Louis Jeune 6-yard run, but his extra-point attempt went wide left, and Marathon wouldn’t find the end zone again.
“We just failed to match their intensity, at the end of the day,” said coach Sean McDonald, who was understandably disappointed with the loss. The 49-6 score left the Fins reeling as they head into their week 3 opponent: Aubrey Rogers will travel from Naples to play the Dolphins in Marathon Friday, Sept. 6.
“Back to the drawing board,” McDonald said, adding, “We did have a bright spot with Shamar (Wright). He ran hard and he is really coming into his own. We need to get him the ball more.”
Fins fans will be able to catch Marathon in action at home for the next month as they enjoy a schedule nearly devoid of travel. They do not hit the road again until Oct. 4, when they take the short trip to Tavernier for the Battle of the Keys, played at Coral Shores this year.
The Conchs faced one of the most powerful teams in the country last week, taking on IMG Academy’s White team in Key West. The Conchs lost 28-0, but not because they could not match up with the Ascenders; Key West turned the ball over a record eight times in the game, handing the ball as well as the victory to IMG.
“I thought the defense played phenomenally, honestly,” said head coach Johnny Hughes. “I liked the effort they gave and that they didn’t hang their heads and give up.”
Despite facing a nose guard Hughes described as “an animal,” the Conchs defense held their own against the Syracuse commit as well as a full lineup of big, physical athletes who played only one side of the game. Key West did not have the luxury of resting their athletes, and as the season wears on, the injuries pile up, making for creative management of the depth chart.
Defensively, Jayden Gist had a strong night, reeling in two interceptions while Noah Mercer and Josh Johnson were able to give some good pressure for the rest of the defense, but the turnovers ultimately cost Key West the game. Also lost in the first half was the talent of Jaden Fox, who did not play after the second quarter. His return this week is questionable as he rehabs a sprained shoulder.
Fox and the rest of the Conchs’ offense were able to move the ball against IMG, with two of the turnovers occurring within 10 yards of a Conchs TD and a third around the 25-yard line.
“It was just one of those nights,” Hughes said, adding that he is relieved to move on to the next opponent. That will be Somerset Academy Canyons; the Conchs will travel to Boynton Beach to play on Thursday, Sept. 5 at 7 p.m. The Conchs will not play at home again until Sept. 20, when North Port pays them a visit.
Left page: The Hurricanes celebrate a touchdown run by running back A.J Putetti.
Above from left: Christopher Barter preps for the snap. Daniel Oviedo heads for the pile. Conch defenders Josh Johnson and Joseph DaleyWailey converge on the ball.
Photos by Maicey Malgrat and Doug Finger. See more photos at Keysweekly.com
Adam
Brevity
Nancy
NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE
WHEATON’S SERVICE
CENTER gives notice that on
09/27/2024 at 10:00 AM, the following vehicle(s) may be sold by public sale at 101500
OVERSEAS HWY, KEY LARGO, FL 33037 to satisfy the lien for the amount owed on each vehicle for any recovery, towing, or storage services charges and administrative fees allowed pursuant to Florida statute 713.78.
Wheaton’s Service Center reserves the right to accept or reject any and/or all bids.
1FMCU03Z48KA09789 2008
FORD
Publish:
September 5 & 12, 2024
The Weekly Newspapers
PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE
Florida Keys Council of the Arts
Notice of Upcoming Meetings
The Florida Keys Council of the Arts will hold the following meetings via Communications Media Technology using a ZOOM webinar platform. The access points to view the Zoom meetings or for members of the public to provide public input will be: JOIN ZOOM via the Zoom app and use each meeting ID and password listed. Meetings are open to the public, and all are invited to attend. Questions, or to RSVP, please email Liz Young at director@keysarts.com
The City of Key Colony Beach cordially invites interested contractors to complete and submit sealed quotes by October 25th, 2024, no later than 9:30 am, for the following project.
DRY FLOOD PROOF ENGINEERING FOR CITY MAINTENANCE BUILDING RFQ 2024-001
THE PROJECT CONSISTS OF: The City is requesting qualifications from Florida registered, licensed professional engineering firms or teams to provide an engineering proposal for dry-floodproofing the City of Key Colony Beach Maintenance Building located at Parcel ID: 8843062 480 8th Street, Key Colony Beach, Florida 33051. Firms interested in providing Engineering Services should have proven experience in floodproofing buildings by FEMA requirements. 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 October 25th, 2024, at 9:30 am clearly marked ‘Sealed Bid for the City of Key Colony Beach RFQ No. 2024-001’ along with the name of your firm. 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 (ET): Action:
09-13-2024 9:30 am Release Solicitation (via DemandStar)
09-27-2024 9:30 am Pre-Submittal Meeting and Non-mandatory Site Visit (Open to Public – 480 8th Street, Key Colony Beach, FL 33051-0141)
10-04-2024 4:00 pm Last day for submission of written questions to the City (to cityadministrator@keycolonybeach.net)
10-11-2024 4:00 pm Last day for the City to post answers to questions (on DemandStar)
10-25-2024 9:30 am Bid Due & Opening (Open to Public:City Hall 600 W. Ocean Dr., Key Colony Beach, FL 33051-0141)
11-08-2024 9:30 am Review Committee Meeting
Recommendation to Award to the Commission Marble Hall, 600 W. Ocean Drive, Key Colony Beach, FL 33051-0141
*Can be posted on or before date
11-21-2024 9:30 am City Commission Meeting – Final Award (Open to Public – Marble Hall, 600 W. Ocean Dr., Key Colony Beach, FL 33051-0141)
City of Key Colony Beach
600 W Ocean Drive, Key Colony Beach, FL 33051
Contact Mailing Address
John Bartus, City Administrator PO Box 510141 cityadministrator@keycolonybeach.net Key Colony Beach, FL 33051
CITY OF KEY COLONY BEACH NOTICE OF CODE AMENDMENT HEARING SECOND/FINAL READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 2024-491 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Commission of the City of Key Colony Beach, Florida, will hold the following Public Hearing to hear amendments to the City’s Code of Ordinances.
DATE/TIME: Thursday, September 19th, 2024, 9:30
AM
LOCATION: City of Key Colony Beach, Marble Hall, 600 W. Ocean Dr., Key Colony Beach. The proposed Ordinance to be heard by the City Commission is [ORDINANCE NO. 2024-491], entitled: “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF KEY COLONY BEACH, FLORIDA; AMENDING CHAPTER FOURTEEN OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, ENTITLED SEWERS AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL, SECTION 14-6 MONTHLY RATES AND CHARGES, AND PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; REPEALING ANY INCONSISTENT PROVISIONS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.”
The Business Impact Statement is available for review on the City of Key Colony Beach’s website at www.keycolonybeach.net and at City Hall at 600 W. Ocean Drive, Key Colony Beach. Interested parties may appear at the meeting and be heard with respect to the proposed ordinance. Copies of the proposed Ordinance are available for inspection at the City Hall of Key Colony Beach. If any person decides to appeal any decision made by the Key Colony Beach City Commission with respect to any matter considered at the Code Amendment Hearing, that person will need a record of the proceeding and for such purpose may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.
If you are unable to attend the Public Hearing on Thursday, September 19th, 2024, but wish to comment, please direct correspondence to: City Commission, P.O. Box 510141, Key Colony Beach, FL 33051, and your comments will be entered into the record.
To be published: On or before September 9th, 2024
City Clerk City of Key Colony Beach, Florida Publish: September 5, 2024 The Weekly Newspapers
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 24-CP-398-P DIVISION: PLANTATION KEY IN RE: ESTATE OF MARK GREGORY BAGAN Deceased.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The administration of the estate of Mark Gregory Bagan, deceased, whose date of death was April 16, 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.
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 732.216-732.228, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under section 732.2211.
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: September 5, 2024.
Personal Representative: Anne Elizabeth Bagan 251 S Ocean Shores Drive Key Largo, Florida 33037 Attorney for Personal Representative: Robert K. Miller, Esq.
Attorney Florida Bar Number: 359173 Cunningham Miller Rhyne PA 10075 Overseas Hwy PO Box 500938 Marathon, FL 33050
Telephone: (305) 743-9428
Fax: (305) 743-8800
E-Mail: rmiller@floridakeyslaw. com
Secondary E-Mail: service@ floridakeyslaw.com
Publish: September 5 & 12, 2024
The Weekly Newspapers
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 24-CP-375-M DIVISION: MARATHON IN RE: ESTATE OF GREGORY ALLEN COLDIRON Deceased. NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The administration of the estate of Gregory Allen Coldiron, deceased, whose date of death was July 2, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 3117 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court 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.
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 732.216-732.228, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under section
732.2211.
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: September 5, 2024.
Personal Representative: Mallory Morton Pinto 1342 74th Street Ocean Marathon, Florida 33050
Attorney for Personal Representative: Robert K. Miller, Esq.
Attorney Florida Bar Number: 359173 Cunningham Miller Rhyne PA 10075 Overseas Hwy PO Box 500938 Marathon, FL 33050 Telephone: (305) 743-9428 Fax: (305) 743-8800 E-Mail: service@ floridakeyslaw.com
Secondary E-Mail: rmiller@ floridakeyslaw.com
Publish: September 5 & 12, 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-407-K IN RE: ESTATE OF SUSAN PELL HOWARTH, Deceased.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The administration of the estate of Susan Pell Howarth, deceased, whose date of death was April 11, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.
All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.
All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against the decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA PROBATE CODE WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.
The date of first publication of this notice is: September 5, 2024. Signed on August 26, 2024.
Personal Representative: Walter Howarth
30858 Palm Drive
Big Pine Key, FL 33043
Attorney for Personal Representative: James J. Dorl, Esq.
Florida Bar No. 618403
JAMES J. DORL, P.A.
First Professional Centre
5701 Overseas Highway, Suite 12
Marathon, FL 33050
Telephone: (305) 743-6565
Email: jjdorl@yahoo.com
Publish: September 5 & 12, 2024
The Weekly Newspapers
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 24-CP-000411-P DIVISION: GARCIA IN RE: THE ESTATE OF DON J. HINDMAN, Deceased.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The administration of the estate of DON J. HINDMAN, deceased, whose date of death was July 6, 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, Florida 33070. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.
All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.
ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.
The date of first publication of this notice is September 5, 2024.
Personal Representative: LESLIE S. HINDMAN 123 Australian Avenue Palm Beach, Florida 33480
Attorney for Personal Representative: THOMAS F. McGUIRE E-mail Addresses: Thomas.mcguire@saul.com shar-ann.callahan@saul.com Florida Bar No. 32729 SAUL EWING LLP 161 North Clark Street, Suite 4200 Chicago, Illinois 60601 Telephone: (312) 87607195
Publish:
September 5 & 12, 2024
The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION CASE NUMBER: 24-CP-404-K IN RE: ESTATE OF PATRICK DANIEL NOWICKI Deceased. NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the Estate of PATRICK DANIEL NOWICKI, deceased, whose date of death was April 7, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, Florida 33040. The names and addresses of the Personal Representative and the Personal Representative’s
• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES •
attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.
The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent's death by the decedent or the decedent's surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216-732.228, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN 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: September 5, 2024. Personal Representative: CHRISTOPHER NOWICKI 8704 Hahn Road Fredonia, New York, 14063 Attorney for Personal Representative: PAUNECE SCULL, ESQ. Florida Bar No. 729477 paunece@scullpa.com SCULL & SCULL, P.A. 302 Southard Street, Ste. 105 Key West, Florida 33040 TEL: (305) 407-6897 Publish: September 5 & 12, 2024 The Weekly Newspapers
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 16TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 24-DR-466-K WEBENS LAUTURE, Petitioner, and ANDREA URBANOVA, Respondent. NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE (NO CHILD OR FINANCIAL SUPPORT) TO: ANDREA URBANOVA RESPONDENT’S LAST KNOWN ADDRESS: 61 SEASIDE NORTH CT, 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 Webens Lauture, whose address is 1641 Morgan CT, Apt. 4, Key West, FL 33040 on or before October 3, 2024, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 530 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: August 22, 2024 Kevin Madok, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Jaquelyn Fonseca Deputy Clerk
Publish:
September 5, 12, 19 & 26, 2024
The Weekly Newspapers
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT, OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2023-CA-268-M NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE BY CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT
Notice is hereby given that the undersigned, Kevin Madok, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Monroe County, Florida, will, on the 20th day of September, 2024 at 11 o’clock a.m., at 500 Whitehead Street, Monroe County, in the City of Key West, Florida, offer for sale and sell at public outcry to the highest and best bidder for CASH the Following described property situated in Monroe County, Florida, to wit:
Property Address: 329 63rd Court Gulf, Marathon, Florida 33050; and 57468 and 57478 Overseas Highway, Grassy Key, Florida 33050.
Pursuant to ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S SECOND MOTION TO CANCEL AND RESCHEDULE 8/20/24 FORECLOSURE SALE entered in a case pending in said Court, the 19th day of August 2024 Style of which is: RED MANGROVE HOLDINGS, LLC, A FLORIDA LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY Plaintiff, VS. MARATHON DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS, LLC, A FLORIDA LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, CEDAR OAK REI, INC., AN IDAHO FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION, MARK RAY GERENGER, PERSONAL GUARANTOR, ANY AND ALL UNKNOWN PARTIES CLAIMING BY, THROUGH, UNDER, AND AGAINST THE HEREIN NAMED INDIVIDUAL DEFENDANT(S)WHO ARE NOT KNOWN TO BE DEAD OR ALIVE, WHETHER SAID UNKNOWN PARTIES MAY CLAIM AN INTEREST AS SPOUSES, HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, OR OTHER CLAIMANTS, AND ANY AND ALL UNKNOWN OCCUPANT(S) OR TENANT(S) OF 329 63RD COURT GULF, MARATHON, FLORIDA 33050 AND 57468 AND 57478 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, GRASSY KEY, FLORIDA 33050, Defendant And the Docket Number of which is Number 2023-CA268-M WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 28TH day of August 2024
KEVIN MADOK, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court By: Shonta McLeod As Deputy Clerk Florida Statute 45.031: Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the Lis Pendens must file a claim
within sixty (60) days after the sale. Publish: September 5 & 12, 2024 The Weekly Newspapers
NOTICE OF PUBLIC AUCTION/ SALE FOR NON-JUDICIAL TIMESHARE FORECLOSURE RE: THE CALOOSA COVE RESORT OWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC MONROE County, Florida Non-Judicial Timeshare foreclosure process NOTICE OF PUBLIC AUCTION/ SALE FOR NON-JUDICIAL TIMESHARE FORECLOSURE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, pursuant to an action for non-judicial foreclosure of timeshare units on the Assessment Claim of Lien, which is dated August 4, 2023 and was recorded August 4, 2023, in the Official Records of Monroe County, Florida in Official Records Book 32379, Page 1984 as Instrument Number 2427575, and that Assessment Claim of Lien which is dated August 16, 2023 and was recorded August 24, 2023, in the Official Records of Monroe County, Florida in Official Records Book 3239, Page 1847 as Instrument Number 2429502, I will sell, to the highest and best bidder for cash, at CALOOSA COVE RESORT Manager’s Office, 73801 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, FL 33036 on the 4th day of SEPTEMBER, 2024, at 11:30 a.m., the following described real property located in MONROE County, Florida, to-wit: Those certain Unit Numbers and Weeks as set forth herein in CALOOSA COVE RESORT, a Condominium, according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof, recorded in Official Records Book 827, Page 2050, of the Public Records of Monroe County, Florida and all amendments and exhibits thereto, together with an undivided share in the common elements appurtenant thereto.
Unit Number:/Week #
115/48
118/30
122/37
124/50
126/35, 36
127/44
204/42, 46
208/17, 45, 48
210/18
215/42, 50
220/24
222/32
224/09, 10, 18, 30
227/07, 08, 25 TO:
Unit Owner(s) Last Known Address
Unit/Week(s): Amount due:
Anneli De Carvalho
356 NE 102nd Street Miami Shores, FL 33138
122/37
$2,562.11 with a per diem amount of $1.27 from August 2, 2023
Baron Fry
2595 Edenville Path The Villages, FL 32162
204/42
$4,450.88 with a per diem amount of $2.20 from August 2, 2023
Bryan Marcinko
1390 Scott Road Kehly, NC 27542
208/48
$2,562.11 with a per diem amount of $1.27 from August 2, 2023
Brenda Bashaw
3089 Newburgh Street Port Charlotte, FL 33952
126/35
$2,562.11 with a per diem amount of $1.27 from August 2, 2023
126/36
$2,562.11 with a per diem amount of $1.27 from August 2, 2023
Charles McClure
215/42
$3,537.26 with a per diem amount of $1.75 from August 2, 2023
Edward Lutz and Mary Lutz
The Estate of Edward Lutz
All heirs and devisees of the Estate of Edward Lutz
The Estate of Mary Lutz
All heirs and devisees of the Estate of Mary Lutz
615 Mazur Avenue Paramis, NJ 07652
227/07
$3,160.11 with a per diem amount of $1.56 from August 2, 2023
224/10
$3,160.11 with a per diem amount of $1.56 from August 2, 2023
227/08
$3,160.11 with a per diem amount of $1.56 from August 2, 2023
220/24
$3,160.11 with a per diem amount of $1.56 from August 2, 2023
224/09
$3,160.11 with a per diem amount of $1.56 from August 2, 2023
Forrest McGinley
204 East Cypress Avenue
Howey In The Hills, FL 34737
222/32
$4,311.36 with a per diem amount of $2.13 from August 2, 2023
Gary Iverson
334 French Road
Onalaska, WI 54650
204/46
$3,537.26 with a per diem amount of $1.75 from August 2, 2023
Jerald Torano 1105 Carraway Street Tallahassee, FL 32508
227/25
$4,139.64 with a per diem amount of $2.05 from August 2, 2023
Jack Chinn
1189 Augusta Court Shawnee, OK 74801
127/44
$3,537.26 with a per diem amount of $1.75 from August 2, 2023
Judith Hagopian
7420 Cedar Avenue Tacoma Park, MD 20912
124/50
$2,562.11 with a per diem amount of $1.27 from August 2, 2023
Kirsten Schaefer
41 Oak Court Lincoln Park, NJ 07035
115/48
$1,062.11 with a per diem amount of $0.53 from August 2, 2023
Loretta Fregien
2763 Pepperridge Cout San Jose, CA 95148
118/30
$1,500.00 with a per diem amount of $0.74 from August 2, 2023
224/30
$1,500.00 with a per diem amount of $0.74 from August 2, 2023
Linda Asta 2 Loon Lane Placida, FL 33946
210/18
$3,161.11 with a per diem amount of $1.56 from August 2, 2023
M Turner
3078 Lake Ranch Drive
Gainesville, GA 30506
208/17
$5,050.74 with a per diem amount of $2.49 from August 2, 2023
Steven Sebby
201 Leisure Street Yorkville, IL 60560
215/50
$2,562.11 with a per diem amount of $1.26 from August
2, 2023
Tommy Driggers
P.O. Box 667
Mount Pleasant, TX 75455
208/45
$2,562.11 with a per diem amount of $1.26 from August 2, 2023
William Distaso
553 Tennant Road
LEGAL NOTICES
2, 2023
The assessment lien created by the Claims of Lien was properly created and authorized pursuant to the timeshare instrument and applicable law, and the amounts secured by said lien are as set above. You may cure the default at any time prior to the public auction by paying the amount due, as set forth in this notice, to the undersigned Trustee at the address set forth below. THIS NOTICE OF PUBLIC AUCTION/SALE is dated this 4th day of AUGUST, 2024. THOMAS L AVRUTIS ____________________/ THOMAS L. AVRUTIS, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CALOOSA COVE RESORT OWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC 201 Fletcher Avenue, 2nd Floor
Sarasota, FL 34237
Telephone (941) 955-7300
Facsimile (941) 953-7625
Email: john@timesharenjf.com
Publish: August 29 & September 5, 2024
The Weekly Newspapers
AMENDED NOTICE OF PUBLIC AUCTION/SALE FOR NON-JUDICIAL TIMESHARE FORECLOSURE RE: MARATHON KEY BEACH CLUB II ASSOCIATION, INC. MONROE County, Florida Non-Judicial Timeshare foreclosure process AMENDED NOTICE OF PUBLIC AUCTION/SALE FOR NON-JUDICIAL TIMESHARE FORECLOSURE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, pursuant to an action for non-judicial foreclosure of timeshare units on the Claim of Lien, which was dated February 15, 2024 and was recorded March 11, 2024, in the Official Records of Monroe County, Florida in Official Records Book 3266, Page 237 as Instrument Number 2453967, Florida, I will sell, to the highest and best bidder for cash, at MARATHON KEY BEACH CLUB CONDOMINIUM II RESORT Manager’s Office, 4560 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050 on the 4th day of SEPTEMBER, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., the following described real property located in MONROE County, Florida, to-wit: Annual Timeshare Periods as set forth below in MARATHON KEY BEACH CLUB CONDOMINIUM II, according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof, recorded in Official Records Book 859, at Page 786, as amended in Official Records Book 874, at Page 2169, all of the Public Records of Monroe County, Florida and all subsequent amendments and exhibits thereto.
Unit Number/Use Period
A 101/43, 46, 47
A 102/01, 02, 39, 40, 41, 47
A 202/36, 47
B 102/46, 47
B 201/42
B 202/40
C 201/44
C 202/49, 50
D 202/49
E 101/41, 48
E 102/36, 48, 50
E 201/40, 41
E 202/39, 41, 47, 48
TO:
Unit Owner(s) Last Known Address
Annual Timeshare Use
Period(s):
Amount due:
Terry K Barbour and Faith D Barbour
P.O. Box 605
Atlantic Beach, NC 28512
A 102/39
$4,524.79 with a per diem amount of $2.24 from January 2, 2024
$6,703.35 with a per diem amount of $3.31 from January 2, 2024
Marion Canty and Remelda Canty 26521 SW 124 Avenue
Naranja, FL 33032
E 102/50
$4,601.12 with a per diem amount of $2.27 from January 2, 2024
Richard Chosid and Cherie Chosid 3110 NE 48th Street Lighthouse Point, FL 33064
A 102/01
$2,219.69 with a per diem amount of $1.10 from January 2, 2024 A 102/02
$2,219.69 with a per diem amount of $1.10 from January 2, 2024 Cure My Mommy’s Breast Cancer C/O Ellen Schreiber 9 Endo Blvd, # FL 1 Garden City, NY 11530-6748 D 102/36
$3,571.14 with a per diem amount of $1.77 from January 2, 2024
Edward Daniel and Mary
Daniel P.O. Box 351853 Miami, FL 33135
E 102/36
$4,580.62 with a per diem amount of $2.24 from January 2, 2024
Brandon M Duhon P.O. Box 608
Lake Charles, LA 70602 E 201/40
$2,219.69 with a per diem amount of $1.10 from January 2, 2024 E 201/41
$2,219.69 with a per diem amount of $1.10 from January
2, 2024
Jennifer Edwards f/k/a
Jennifer Leanna and DZachary
Edwards
2688 Whispering Drive Largo, FL 33771
E 202/39
$6,702.41 with a per diem amount of $3.31 from January 2, 2024
B 202/47
$6,702.41 with a per diem amount of $3.31 from January 2, 2024
Maria George 3215 N 65th Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85033-5216
D 102/50
$3,585.74 with a per diem amount of $1.77 from January 2, 2024
Lowell Higgins and Janine Sanders-Higgins 64 Kilworth PK Drive RR #5 Komoka, ON N0L 1R0
Canada A 102/47
$6,705.00 with a per diem amount of $2.24 from January 2, 2024
Dewane L Hose
Greystone House Lockton, N Yorkshire YO187QB
United Kingdom D 102/42
$3,585.74 with a per diem amount of $1.77 from January 2, 2024
Charles Khoury 7343 Brisbane Hills Street Las Vegas, NV 89166 B 102/46
$7,22.00 with a per diem amount of $3.57 from January 2, 2024
B 102/47
$7,225.00 with a per diem amount of $3.57 from January 2, 2024
$6,701.46 with a per diem amount of $3.31 from January 2, 2024
Jane Rosenthal 444 E 75th Street, Apt #3-B New York, NY 10021 E 101/48
$5,497.15 with a per diem amount of $2.76 from January 2, 2024 E 102/48
$5,497.15 with a per diem amount of $2.76 from January 2, 2024
Vincent T Salvato and Angela Salvato
4700 Casswell Drive New Port Richey, FL 34652 A101/43
$3,585.74 with a per diem amount of $1.77 from January 2, 2024 Frank Schultz, Trustee of the Frank Schultz Living Trust Agreement Dated March 24, 2000 1751 Beach Road, Apt 202 Englewood, FL 34223 D 202/49
$3,585.74 with a per diem amount of $1.77 from January 2, 2024 Frank Stewart and Jeanne C Stewart 3101 82nd Way North St Petersburg, FL 33710 B 202/40
$7,698.79 with a per diem amount of $3.80 from January 2, 2024 Chelsa Aran Taggart 1841 E 9th Street, Apt 2 Duluth, MN 55812 D 102/21
$5,619.22 with a per diem amount of $2.77 from January 2, 2024 Penny Weiss and Lynne Arnault 105 Kensington Road Syracuse, NY 13210 E 202/41
$5,597.15 with a per diem amount of $2.76 from January 2, 2024
Susan Geary Williams 235 S Lake Avenue Lake Butler, FL 32054 E 101/41
$5,597.15 with a per diem amount of $2.76 from January 2, 2024 Henry Zima, Halina Zima & Joanna D Ricci 2388 Carlanne Place Mississauga, ON L5E 2M2 Canada B 101/46
Manalapan, NJ 07726
224/18
5087 Raintree Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15236
$3,160.11 with a per diem amount of $1.56 from August
Robert A Bradley and Stefane B Bradley 1303 Chestnut Street Murray, KY 42071
E 202/48
amount of $3.632.24 from January 2, 2024
Moses Madison and Dorothy A Madison
995 Bear Lake Drive
Rockledge, FL 32955
$3,585.74 with a per diem amount of $2.24 from January 2, 2024 B 101/47
$3,585.74 with a per diem amount of $2.24 from January 2, 2024 The assessment lien
properly created and authorized pursuant to the timeshare instrument and applicable law, and the amounts secured by said lien are as set above.
You may cure the default at any time prior to the public auction by paying the amount due, as set forth in this notice, to the undersigned Trustee at the address set forth below.
THIS NOTICE OF PUBLIC AUCTION/SALE is dated this 4th day of AUGUST, 2024.
THOMAS L AVRUTIS __________________/
THOMAS L. AVRUTIS, AS TRUSTEE FOR MARATHON KEY BEACH CLUB II ASSOCIATION, INC 201 Fletcher Avenue, 2nd Floor Sarasota, FL 34237 Telephone (941) 955-7300 Facsimile (941) 953-7625
Email: john@timesharenjf.com
Publish: August 29 & September 5, 2024 The Weekly Newspapers
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
COMMERCIAL SPACE FOR RENT
Marathon Yacht Club is hiring part-time servers and bartenders. Private club, friendly atmosphere, guaranteed gratuities. Flexible lunch/dinner shifts available Tuesday – Sunday. Must provide photo ID, social security card or passport, and checking account. Call 305-743-6739 to schedule an interview or email office@ marathonyachtclub. com.
PRIVATE COLLECTOR
WANTS Rolex, Dive Watches and Pilot Watches. Old Model Military Clocks & Watches. Call 305-743-4578
HOUSING FOR RENT
Large One Bedroom Suite, Conch House, carpet, tile, appliances, available for rent in Marathon. $2,000/ month furnished, $1,600/month unfurnished,. All utilities included. F/L/S Section 8 accepted. Dockage available. No Pets. 305-610-8002
Stock IslandSeeking 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!
Gated storage & parking available in Marathon for boats, trailers & RV's - across from boat ramp - MM 54. $8-$10/ foot. 305-610-8002
1989 CHEVY S-10 Cameo Edition, 4.3 V-6 engine, 197k miles, very minor surface rust, original paint, nice interior, garage kept, no accidents, runs excellent. Located in Key Largo. $4,900 Contact George at 305-776-1802 for more information.
2005 Chevy Truck for sale in Marathon. $500.00 Call Nicole 305-433-0515 SOLD IN LESS THAN ONE WEEK!
Place your AUTO/ TRUCK FOR SALE ad here. $25.00/week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844
BOATS FOR SALE
14' Aluminum boat, 9.9 Mercury Outboard, Elec. start, Trolling motor in bow, NEW gas tank, battery, GPS, Depth Finder & trailer tires. Located in Marathon. $3500 305-395-1015
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
STORAGEBOAT/TRAILER FOR RENT
Professional business offices for rent in beautiful building in Islamorada. U.S. 1 frontage and signage for your business. Call 305-780-7265 or email srussolaw@ outlook.com for details.
Commercial office/ medical/retail space for rent/lease available in Marathon. High highway visibility, 2100-3500 sq. ft. Call for more information 305-481-3198 or email drice519@aol.com
Place your COMMERCIAL SPACE FOR RENT ad here. $25.00/week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today!
EMPLOYMENT
SERVERS WANTED: Apply in person between 5 pm & 7 pm every night at Plaza Grill Steak & Seafood, 5101 Overseas Hwy, Marathon
The S.S. Wreck and Galley Grill mile marker 59 is looking for Line Cooks, full or part time. Self-motivated, quick learner, and team player. Salary commensurate with experience and includes 401k match up to 6%. Please call Nicole at 305-433-0515.
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.
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: Med Tech PT/Nights, Housing Choice Voucher Asst., 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.
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
Downstairs apartment of a duplex to rent to 1 person (no pets). Large living room/bedroom and separate kitchen. Large screened porch with its own washer/ dryer and driveway. Utilities include wifi/ tv. 150 ft to the ocean. $1850/month. F/L/S 305-853-3779
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.
Studio Rental Unit in four-plex available for long-term rent in Marathon. Fully furnished. $2,200/ month all in. Call Nicole 305-433-0515
2BR/2BA Single
Marathon: Waterfront 2/1.5 duplex, monthly, furnished, near hospital. 40' of canal, pool, hot tub, pet friendly. Elec. & water paid. $4,950/ mo. F/L/D Call or text James 409-370-0025.
Conch House -
Studio for rent in duplex in Marathon. $960/month + utilities. Newly furnished. Dockage available. No Pets. 305-610-8002
Family Waterfront Home for rent in Marathon. Fully furnished. 70' dock. $4,500/month includes all utilities, internet & TV. Available for 3 months - Jan, Feb & March. 727-278-1105 RENTED IN LESS THAN 3 WEEKS!
Place your HOUSING FOR RENT ad here. $25.00/week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844
MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE
Heavy duty, hard wood Futon Bed for sale in Marathon. Excellent condition. Couch turns into double bed. $250.00 305-849-0975
Place your Miscellaneous For Sale ad here. $25.00/week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today.
ROOMMATE WANTED
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 slide-out. Located in Key West. $9,000 618-559-9143 SOLD IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS!
Place your RV FOR SALE ad here. $25.00/ week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844
RV SITE/CAMPING
RV site / Camping available at marina 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
The Moorings Village is seeking friendly, self motivated, team players for the position: FRONT DESK
Competitive salary and great bene ts. Previous hospitality experience required. Weekends are a must.
Job Types: Full-time
Please email your resume to Sara@MooringsVillage.com or call the reception o ce at 305.664.4708
MONROE ASSOC. FOR REMARCABLE CITIZENS IS HIRING!
UPPER KEYS - PROGRAM
COORDINATOR / DIRECT CARE (F/T) (TAVERNIER OFFICE)
Responsible for facilitating all development and implementation of vocational and life skills training programs in the Upper Keys. Supervisory and decision-making position, while functioning as part of the UK Training Team to deliver hands-on vocational and/or life skills training in support of individual client support plans.
Min Requirements: Computer skills: moderate to advanced. BS or BA degree in relevant discipline or experience working with developmentally disabled adults. One year of supervisory experience and excellent written and verbal communication skills.
IS HIRING
Send resume to admin@cbtconstruction.com Or call 305-852-3002
SUNSET GRILLE IS HIRING
• Hosts
• Waitstaff
• Bartenders
• Bussers
• Line Cooks
• Dishwashers
• Bar Backs
Apply in person at Sunset Grille & Raw Bar, 7 Knight’s Key Blvd, Marathon
Call 305-407-3262 or email info@floridakeysaquariumencounters.com 11710 OVERSEAS HWY, MARATHON
DIRECT CARE STAFF AT ADULT DAY TRAINING PROGRAM (FT)
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. *
Come join our family! EOE
DIRECT CARE STAFF – GROUP HOMES 24/7 (FT/PT)
These positions are available at our Group Homes, evening shift. This position provides direct care services and support to our clients in their home. This position requires a minimum of high school completion or GED and 1 year of experience with care giving or 30 hours or college coursework. *
CLIENT MEDICAL SERVICES ASSISTANT (CNA)
Full-time assisting our clients with dental, medical and transportation appts. Act as liaison between clients, families and support sta . Requires some on-call responsibility. Min. requirement Florida certi cation as a Certi ed Nursing Assistant. *
*ALSO REQUIRED FOR ALL POSITIONS: Fluent in English language, speaking and writing, pro ciency is a must. Level 2 background screening and valid Florida driver’s license. - EOE. Apply at 1401 Seminary St., Key West, FL or online at www.marchouse.org.
For more information, please contact hr@marchouse.org Phone: (305) 294-9526 *32 FAX 305-292-0078
Apply at the MARC o ce, 1401 Seminary St., Key West. Or online at www.marchouse.org. For more information, please contact hr@marchouse.org Phone: 305-294-9526 *32
NOW HIRING IN ISLAMORADA
MARINA CASHIERS
Must have customer service experience working in a retail environment and using a point of sale system. Additional duties include restocking, completing purchase orders, daily ordering of basic items in the store, and maintaining a clean appearance in the store. This is an hourly position and compensation is based on experience. Work hours are flexible and we try to maintain a set weekly schedule.
DOCKHANDS
Duties include customer service, helping customers with bait and ice and helping cashiers with restocking. Morning & a ernoon hours available.
Please respond by email (Ma at islamarinama @gmail.com) with any relevant previous experience and at least two references.
Join our Visual Communications Department if you enjoy working outdoors around the water, interacting with people, and watching dolphins at play. Photograph program participants to provide lasting memories of their experiences. Some of the responsibilites include: taking candid digital still photos of guests & dolphins during public programs, all phases of video recording & editing, types of projects include promotional, educational, documentary, narrative, & visual music montages. Benefits include medical insurance, 401(k), vacation & paid holidays. Job description available at www.dolphins.org. Email resume and DRC application to drc-hr@dolphins.org. EOE
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.
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
JOIN A HIGHLY EFFECTIVE NONPROFIT HELPING PEOPLE COPE AND CHANGE FOR 52 YEARS!
We provide Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment Programs to the Florida Keys community while valuing and rewarding our employees.
