Upper Keys Weekly 24-1010

Curators

This exquisite bayfront Islamorada property features a main home with four bedrooms, four full bathrooms, and two half bathrooms, along with a guest house offering two bedrooms and one bathroom. The kitchen features marble countertops, a gas range, and counter seating. With a separate dining area and 30 ft high ceilings in the great room, floor-to-ceiling windows offer breathtaking views of the bay waters and dynamic sunset skies. The infinity edge pool with a spa offers reflections of beautiful palms and exquisite landscaping. The outdoor cabana kitchen is perfect for al fresco dining, and the boat basin with dockage allows for easy access to the waters of Florida Bay. A whole-house generator ensures uninterrupted comfort and tiki torches light the backyard terraces. Don't miss the waterfalls cascading into the boat basin, creating a truly serene retreat.

89240 Overseas Hwy. Suite 2

Tavernier, FL 33070

Office: 305.363.2957 www.keysweekly.com

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Se habla español THE UPPER KEYS WEEKLY (ISSN 1944-0812) IS PUBLISHED WEEKLY FOR $125 PER YEAR BY WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, INC., 9709 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, MARATHON FL 33050.

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Members of

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The number of shareholders in the Green Bay Packers in 2024. It is the only publicly-owned NFL franchise.

A young angler posing with a dolphin on the scale during the annual Keys Kids Fish Derby at Lorelei in Islamorada on Sept. 29. MJ Hudson/CONTRIBUTED

FLORIDA KEYS BRACE FOR HURRICANE MILTON

Concerns arise over coastal flooding

JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

Millions of southwest Florida residents left their homes before the expected arrival of a powerful Hurricane Milton on Oct. 9. For many communities, the cleanup efforts from Hurricane Helene weren’t finished as they were forced to evacuate to a safer location.

In the Florida Keys, residents remained in their homes as they braced for several feet of flooding and tropical storm-force winds from the storm. Forecasters with the National Weather Service placed the entire Florida Keys under a tropical storm warning to start the week, as the Category 4 — and at times Category 5 — Milton slowly moving

northeast across the Gulf of Mexico and was expected to make landfall between late Oct. 9 or early Oct. 10.

Hurricane Milton’s approach to southwest Florida brought tropical storm-force winds of 40 to 50 mph to the Keys, forcing the Monroe County School District to close schools on Oct. 9. County government offices and state parks also closed for the day. The Snake Creek drawbridge was locked in the down position in lieu of the weather.

A coastal flooding warning was in effect for the Florida Keys. Forecasters said Hurricane Milton could bring 1-3 feet of storm surge flooding above ground level in low-lying areas on the gulf and bayside early

Wednesday morning through Thursday. Some bayside areas in the Upper Keys could experience saltwater flooding through Thursday evening. Atlantic facing shorelines will be susceptible to waves and overwash, leading to saltwater flooding in the adjacent neighborhoods.

An additional 1 to 2 inches of rain are likely through the morning of Oct. 10, adding to the amounts already received throughout the Keys from another system. The Keys already saw 2 to 6 inches the last 72 hours.

Hurricane warnings were issued to nearly 30 counties in southwest Florida as some spots were expected to see storm surge up to 15 feet.

PIXABAY

• Former Commanding Of cer of Naval Air Station Key West and F-14 Naval Flight Of cer (Retired)

• Key West City Manager 2007-2012 and 2014-2019

• Appointed Monroe County Commissioner District 3 in 2022

• 2024 Graduate of the Florida Association of Counties (certi ed) County Commissioner Program

• Florida Defense Support Commission Member

• Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council Member

• Former Sigsbee Charter School Board Member (11 years) and President (5 years)

• Military Affairs Committee Member

• Florida Federal Executive Board Member (3 years)

• Key West Sunrise Rotary Club member and past President

• Navy League of the United States Key West Council Member

• International Propeller Club of the U.S. Port of Key West Member

• Life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)

PROUDLY ENDORSED BY

• Teamsters Local 769

• South Florida Police Benevolent Association (PBA)

• Key West Fire Fighters Local 1424

• Monroe County Fire Fighters Local 3909

• Ocean Reef Political Action Committee

RENEWING THE VITALITY AND RESILIENCE OF THE FLORIDA KEYS TOGETHER!

VOTE

• Grew up in the Florida Keys

• Proudly living in Plantation Key Colony since 1987

• Married to Jason for 31 years

• Mother of four, all raised in Islamorada and now active members of the local community

• Over 30 years of experience as a small business owner

• Knowledgeable in village, county, and FEMA planning and building regulations

• Active participant in the community from school PTAs and youth sports to homeowners association

• Serving as the current President of the Rotary Club of the Upper Keys, where she has been a dedicated member since 2015

Anna’s Pledge to the Community: orough research and preparation for every meeting

• Honest, fact-based assessments

• A strong focus on delivering meaningful results for the village

Ron helped write those

laws. • Former News Anchor for U.S. 1 Radio.

BE THE B.E.S.T. VOTE

YES BACK EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS TODAY

ON NOVEMBER BALLOTS, VOTERS WILL SEE TWO REFERENDUMS RELATED TO FUNDING FOR OUR SCHOOLS.

PASSING THESE TWO REFERENDUMS IS CRUCIAL FOR OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT TO SECURE ESSENTIAL FUNDING FOR TEACHERS SALARIES AND CAPITAL PROJECTS.

REFERENDUM 1.) 1/2 MILLREFERENDUM 2.) 1/2 CENT-

ELECT DEB GILLIS

Murray Nelson Government Center in Key Largo!

FRIDAY, OCT. 18

2:00 pm: Doors open; coffee and snacks

2:45 pm: Upside-down Jellyfish As Bioindicators, presented by Natalia López Figueroa

3:30 pm: Diving With a Purpose: Restoring Coral Reef Ecosystems and Documenting Maritime History, presented by Kramer Wimberley

6:15 pm: The Reef Fishes of Gainesville, Florida: How the Florida Museum Fish Collection informs our understanding of reef fish communities, presented by Rob Robins

More details at www.REEF.org/REEFfest

REALTOR® SPOTLIGHT Dani Hall, Realtor®

American Caribean Real Estate

Claire Johnson , 2024 President

Karen Williams deCastro, President-Elect

Corie McGraw-Abel , Secretary/Treasurer

Kathe Kaile, Director

Erin Kiel, Director

Christine Garcia Castellanos, Director

SATURDAY, OCT. 19

2:00 pm: Doors open; coffee and snacks

2:30 pm: Fisheries Science with a SMILE: Citizen scientists contribute to marine conservation one photo at a time, presented by Dr. Alli Candelmo

3:00 pm: Key Largo... The New Normal, presented by Stephen Frink

Scan to view talk summaries and speaker bios

Originally from South Carolina, Dani made the move to the Keys in 2017, instantly feeling at home in Key Largo. With a background in Marine Science and Biology, she pursued her dream of becoming a dolphin trainer—where better to do that than the Florida Keys? For nearly seven years, Dani worked as a Marine Mammal Trainer at Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal Responder, also serving as an internship coordinator for four of those years and social media developer. Dani loves the Keys community and being able to share her passion about living here with others, as a result she made the career decision to dive into real estate using her already developed skill sets and join a collaborative, forward-thinking brokerage at American Caribbean Real Estate. Dani’s passion for helping others naturally extends to her real estate career, where she’s committed to ensuring her clients make well-informed decisions, whether buying or selling. With her family’s 25+ years of home inspection expertise and strong ties to the Keys community, she’s excited to help others achieve their real estate dreams in the Keys.

Dani and her husband enjoy life on the water, strolling through their neighborhood with their two rescue pups, Stanley and Winnie, supporting local restaurants, and exploring new destinations together. Dani has been actively involved in the Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal Responder fundraisers for the past six years and volunteering for Marrvelous Pet Rescues. Her love for the ocean and enthusiasm for helping others fuel her passion to provide the best experience for her clients in home buying and selling in the fabulous Florida Keys.

Follow Dani on Instagram: dani.flkeysrealtor.

ELECTION SUPERVISORS, COUNTY COMMISSION HOPEFULS SQUARE OFF

Candidates debate accountability, campaign labels and building rights in Weekly forum

Sliding in just before the Keys felt the effects of Hurricane Milton, the Keys Weekly and Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce partnered to give voters one of their final extended looks at two critical local races with a candidate Q&A forum on Oct. 7. The Weekly encourages all voters to view the forum in its entirety by scanning the QR code.

County Commission, District 3

Republican incumbent Jim Scholl’s responses throughout the evening served to highlight his experience in government operations and familiarity with laws governing changes desired by residents, while Democrat challenger Chris Massicotte criticized what he said was a lack of oversight and accountability in county operations, positioning himself as a fiscal conservative and emphasizing his experience as a former auditor and accountant.

Massicotte stressed a need to divert additional resources for continuing audits of individual county departments, pinpointing “wasteful spending” to create a “culture of oversight.” Agreeing with the need for a culture change, Scholl spoke of a need for stronger top-down leadership, beginning with newly-promoted County Administrator Christine Hurley, and reminded viewers that “the legislative body doesn’t control day-to-day operations of the county – it’s the administrator’s job.”

The pair disagreed on the county’s future acceptance of additional building rights, with Scholl in favor of additional units bestowed by the state used largely for workforce housing, “as long as we get to control how they’re going to be issued out.”

“We’ve lost so much workforce housing because of the evolution of vacation rentals in what were traditional long-term rentals,” he said. “We have to do something to be able to maintain the quality of life and support our economy and environment.”

Massicotte said that while surveys and meetings to gauge resident sentiments on additional units were “okay,” he advocated for a temporary moratorium on additional units to allow completion of “an actual, real infrastructure assessment,” arguing that the threat of takings cases filed by property owners unable to build is “made out to be way more than our liability actually would be.”

“The decisions we make today are going to affect what the Keys are like in 20 years,” he said. “If we take more ROGOs, in 20 years you’ll see traffic choking, and we’re going to regret that we ever did it.”

Photos by ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly

Visions for the future of Marathon’s airport following its upcoming runway shift were further divided, with Massicotte in full support of pursuing commercial air travel to the Middle Keys as a mechanism to reduce rental vehicles and highway congestion.

Scholl said that previous attempts to establish services in Marathon have failed due to low passenger demand, arguing that Middle Keys residents were more likely to drive to Key West or mainland airports.

“It just hasn’t worked in the past, and I don’t see it working anytime soon,” he said.

Supervisor of Elections

idates in the Keys’ most contentious race made their way to the dais as Republican Sherri Hodies and Democrat Ron Saunders took their seats.

Amid an investigation authorized by Gov. Ron DeSantis into whether the Monroe County Republican Executive Committee broke its own rules in April and committed campaign finance fraud in endorsing Hodies with a $20,000 donation ahead of the Republican primary, Hodies pushed back against labels given to her campaign.

Calling the document that prompted the investigation, filed by fellow Republican Phyllis May, a “frivolous complaint,” Hodies claimed she had yet to receive a copy of the complaint through official channels.

“It’s just amazing to me that people talk about charges, people talk about fraud, and there’s nothing that has even been sent out there about me,” she said.

“I think (the investigation) is an example where we need to stay on top of things and make sure things are run properly,” Saunders said. “If nothing’s wrong, that’s great, but it remains to be seen what will happen.”

Referencing a May fundraising event in which she hosted retired Army intelligence officer Capt. Seth Keshel, a nationally-known election denier, Hodies worked to distance herself from what she called another “label” to her campaign.

“I am not an election denier, but there have been people at my fundraisers who have been labeled,” she said.

Asked directly whether Joe Biden won the 2020 U.S. Presidential election, Hoodies stated: “In 2016, Trump won, and in 2020, Biden won, plain and simple.” She called Keshel’s presentation “a wonderful history lesson,” but received pushback from Saunders when she stated that Keshel “didn’t speak about (Monroe County) precincts at all.”

Asked if he was aware of any compromised elements of previous Monroe County elections, Saunders said he’d seen no cause for concern, but said Keshel had raised suspicions with voters in Key West’s precinct 5, in which dozens of individuals had registered using a common address.

“It turns out that there were people without addresses there, and the reason for that is that they were actively military serving our country overseas, but still wanted to vote locally,” Saunders said. “The allegation was that there was something wrong there. There was nothing wrong there, and that’s what we need to be careful about when we start these types of rumors.”

“I have never worked for or with (the Supervisor of Elections) office, so I would not know if anything was compromised or not,” Hoodies said in response to the same question, later acknowledging that “we can see that we have not had any issues down here. … Joyce (Griffin) has run a very good office.”

Hoodies continued to blast May’s complaint in her closing statement, arguing that her application for funding from the REC stated that a majority vote of REC members in attendance for the group’s April 20 vote – not a majority of the committee’s total membership – would earn the $20,000 contribution, and that the 20-18 vote to endorse her was therefore sufficient.

Saunders closed by touting bipartisan supporters of his campaign, decrying recent attack mailers from the Conservative Family Alliance political organization as “full of lies and misstatements.”

“When you look at this election, see who’s throwing the mud and why,” he said. “I know the law, I know how to protect elections, and I have a lot of support from both sides.”

Sherri Hodies Chris Massicotte Ron Saunders Jim Scholl

Scan the QR Code to view the video of the form.

ADDRESSING THE ISSUES

Islamorada council candidates talk workforce struggles and land purchases

JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

Eight candidates enter the race for one of four seats on the Islamorada Village Council. The election is pivotal in a village facing major issues, including workforce housing shortages, traffic congestion, aged infrastructure and declining nearshore water quality.

Recently, the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce hosted a forum to ask candidates the big questions facing the village. Every Thursday, the Keys Weekly will highlight those questions and the candidate responses in leadup to the Nov. 5 general election.

Question 1: Local businesses are struggling to find employees, creating a vicious cycle involving workforce availability, workforce housing and transportation. How do you propose addressing these interconnected challenges to ensure the sustainability of our business community? What steps would take to prevent further strain on local businesses due to these workforce issues?

Question 2: The village has recently made several land acquisitions. What is your stance on the village continuing these types of purchases? How do you believe the village should manage the parcels it has purchased and what do you think is an appropriate use for future land acquisitions?

The Island Silver and Spice property, which was purchased by the village in 2022 for $2.75 million, is currently being used by contractors for the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority who continue to install new water lines into the ground.

DAVID GROSS/Keys

Weekly

SEAT 1

Buddy Pinder

1. I would say we need to work with other interlocal governments starting with Tallahassee. Danny Perez is our incoming speaker of the House. Let’s go talk to some of these people. I’ve been in meetings where they are very successful in certain cities doing this. We just gotta take the bull by the horn and get it done. The money is there. You gotta go ask for the money. If you don’t ask for it you can’t receive it. You gotta get proactive.

2. I would say that the property we’ve already purchased, we should look at the majority of it for workforce housing. Island Silver and Spice, there could be parking there too. We already own this property. There are vendors who will build. You give them the property, they build them, they manage them, they operate them and we get paid for that. Also, we need to continue buying preservation land. We need to protect our green space, just like the Glynn property that the village purchased, those 90 acres. I think we should continue that, but I think personally we need to look at the properties we own for workforce housing.

Van Cadenhead

1. We need some major changes in our planning department. We are allowing at the present time moderately-priced hotel rooms of 400 and 500 square feet to be sold off as TDRs to developers for 10,000-squarefoot mansions on the ocean. This is not how we’re going to solve this problem. We’re going to solve this problem by assuring that 400- and 500-square-foot motel rooms are used for affordable workforce housing.

2. I think we should continue to get as many large tracts of pristine habitat that we can preserve and buy that and put that under our control. As far as Island Silver and Spice property, that could safely and has shown to be able to handle 16 to 18 affordable housing units. We could have a hybrid project of 18 units there or 16 units and a municipal parking and a recharge station for electric vehicles. That’s under the control of the Village of Islands now, and for us to make the most use of it, I think a hybrid operation might serve us the best because it’s a prime piece of property in the center of town, and we need parking and affordable housing. I would put this with the new comp plan firm we have and see what they do with it.

SEAT 2

Anna Richards

1. I think that is one of the most important things we have to deal with right now. I know my children are facing the same issues, they can hardly afford to live here. We need to chase grants, whatever we need to … working together with everybody and the community to try to figure where a good place is for affordable housing and where we can put these people.

2. I think if we’re going to spend the money, which is all of our tax dollars that we worked hard for, that we should spend it wisely and purchase all the sensitive land we have out there that we don’t want built on. We have a lot of wetland properties out there. I see it out there every day. I deal with it. I don’t think we should be spending our money on very expensive commercial land when we could be buying up property we could preserve and keep forever.

Steve Friedman

1. As a full-time fishing guide, I interact daily with the workers who are the backbone of our economy at gas stations, bait shops, hotels, marinas, etc. When firefighters and teachers cannot afford to live here, it’s because we have failed them. Workingclass families deserve a fair shot at affordable housing. The Village must prioritize work-force housing within our new comprehensive plan by thinking outside-the-box and using every tool and funding source available. Workers must be able to commute efficiently. We must continue coordinating transit bus logistics with other municipalities and meet regularly with workers to invite feedback on transportation issues.

2. It’s been almost a quarter-of-a-century since the Village updated its comprehensive plan which is intended to serve as a guidepost for Council decisions on all future residential and commercial development, including land acquisitions. Moving forward, we must develop plans for the land we already have as well as plan and budget (not impulse buy) for any future purchases. We should strive to only purchase land for conservation purposes and/or solving our affordable housing crisis.

SEAT 3

Deb Gillis

1. Affordable housing is probably the most critical issue we have going on and there are ways of building it. We need to find the land, which the village owns about three lots that I know of that are big enough to do 10 to 20 units on. These can be built with federal money so that it doesn’t raise our taxes. We need to work very hard at finding out how to do this.

2. We do have at least three pieces of land: the Island Silver and Spice property, the church property and the Machado property. All three would be eligible for affordable housing. The one in particular I checked, it’s about 17 units you could build on Island Silver and Spice. There are companies that would help us with that. I do think it should be some kind of mixed use if we can figure out the parking and paid parking. Businesses need some place to put their employees so they could leave regular spaces for their guests, their customers. I do think we ought to buy environmentally-sensitive land but we need to spend the money wisely.

Mary Barley

1. Delay is not a solution and they have been delaying these things for years now. But tourist tax … some of that should come back. What is a tourist? That’s a working force. I don’t care what you’re doing, if you’re a fireman or whatever, we’re serving not only residents but tourists. Part of that tax should be used and come back to the village and help us make workforce housing, not affordable housing, which is different. If you get federal and state money, they have all kinds of criteria and we can’t meet them because our cost of living here is too high.

2. I think it’s amazing that here we are talking about buying land with biodiversity. After all these years we’ve been talking about for how long we’ve been a village. It’s time to actually do something. I think I went to a meeting and heard Rob Cole tell us he needed $1 million to go and buy the land that was on the list to start. They (the council) wouldn’t even give him $1 million to start buying the land. If we can’t make those kinds of decisions we are never going to get to where we want to be. Delay is not a solution and that is what keeps happening in this village. We keep delaying all the important decisions we need to make for workforce housing, we need to concentrate on the workforce. There’s a big difference between affordable housing and workforce housing. I think Silver and Spice is a perfect place to start that.

SEAT 4

Don Horton

1. I think that we need to develop workforce housing initiatives. Some of the things we’ve run across is the cost of permits and building affordable housing units. I think that we need to look into funding and getting funding, having opportunities to have public and private partnerships and open up these permits where they’re available to us instead of squirreling them away like the last council has done.

I have questioned a couple of the purchases we have made in the past, although we can make good out of them. I believe the Island Silver and Spice should be a municipal parking lot. I think most cities, small or large, have a municipal parking lot. And that’s a perfect place for us to have that in the business center of downtown Islamorada. I’m not saying it should be a free parking lot; I think it should be paid parking. Certainly the citizens should get a major discount when they use that. We need to focus on purchasing lands for preservation and let free business and free enterprise buy the commercial lands we have that are already developed. We need to focus on the environment and saving our lands that are environmentally sensitive.

Tom Raffanello

1. I’ve recently been informed the TDC got $35 million. I don’t know how it’s been split up for workforce housing. Here’s something that I said before, if we don’t like the way the TDC is doing business, go to the legislature. If we don’t like the way workforce housing is being handled and rules are too prohibitive, that’s what you have legislation for and that’s why you have people in Washington. Tell them what you need; they’re there to help us. We don’t do that.

2. I’m not for buying land and speculating. Both pieces of land are in commercial areas. We should get rid of them. We should sell them hopefully at a profit. If we’re going to buy land, maybe we can buy land for affordable housing. I don’t like for the village to get into the land purchasing business. I think there are better things to do with the money. If you have that much money, give some back to the taxpayers. I’m all for preserving what we have, but that should come through a solid comp plan with the input of the citizens to keep things the way we want them.

SCHOOL SAFETY

Meet the resource officers in the Upper Keys

FRANK DERFLER www.keysweekly.com

Enter any Monroe County school and you are likely to see a uniformed school resource officer. The officer might be at the entry, in the cafeteria or in a classroom.

“Every public school in Monroe County, charter school or traditional, has a sworn and specially-trained school resource officer,” said Sheriff Rick Ramsay. “It’s a special unit. Deputies apply to be a part of it. And we are very proud of them.”

Every SRO goes through a 40 hour training course. Additional courses and certifications are available from the State of Florida.

According to the Florida Crime Prevention Training Institute, a school resource officer is a protector, counselor, teacher, law enforcer and social worker. Deputy Matt Koval, veteran of 45 years as a Monroe County deputy and four years as an SRO says, “I’m a lot busier and have more contact with people in the community as an SRO than I ever did as a patrol officer. People outside the school know I’m here

and they come looking for advice.”

“We don’t get involved in violations of the Student Handbook. That’s the school staff’s job. Our SROs spend most of their time as counselors,” said deputy Sgt. Mike Bourcier.

SROs lead the way in the various emergency response drills carried out in the schools by a variety of agencies. In a recent drill, EMS responders, equipped with helmets and bulletproof vests, moved in behind the law enforcement officers to provide immediate medical help to victims.

The SRO’s role as a protector is aided by a state-sponsored application called FortifyFL. FortifyFL is a suspicious activity reporting tool that allows staff and students to instantly relay information to appropriate law enforcement agencies and school officials. Coral Shores student Xavier-Eric Johnson reports, “FortiFL is on every Chromebook the school gives out. But they tell us not to click on it unless it’s really serious.”

School board member John Dick explained at a recent school board

From left, Monroe County deputy Sgt. Mike Bourcier, school resource officer Lauren Landa and school resource officer Matt Koval. CONTRIBUTED

Mercy Guevara is in her third year as a deputy sheriff and as the SRO at Plantation Key School.

one

meeting that because the state mandates what the statute calls “Safe School Officers,” the state provides some funds to support the program. He said, “The cost of the SROs provided by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and the Key West Police, totals $2,753,547. The state provided $1,048,089, so funds are needed from within the county.”

“We have an excellent group of school resource officers who not only keep our schools safe but have become essential parts of our school communities, developing relationships with our students and serving as incredible role models,” said Sue Woltanski, chairwoman for the school board. “I am grateful for the partnership between our school district and our law enforcement agencies.”

MEET THE SROs

School resource officer Mercy Guevara is in her third year as a deputy sheriff and as the SRO at Plantation Key School. But, she isn’t new to PKS.

“I’ve lived 40 years in the Upper Keys,” she said. “I attended PKS and my children attended PKS. I graduated from Coral Shores. Now, I’m back at PKS and I love it.”

Guevara became a veterinary technician in the Keys, but she said she always had an interest in law enforcement. Although she was well past the age of the typical cadet in the academy, she had one goal and that was to be a school resource officer. She took the extra 40 hours of specialized training to qualify and enjoys

participating in annual training and SRO conferences.

“We are building a foundation of interaction between the students and law enforcement. I personally want to help students build a history of positive interaction that lasts a lifetime,” she said.

In one corner of Mercy’s office near the PKS entrance you will see a pile of bicycle helmets. “They might ride to school without a helmet, but they will leave with one,” she says.

The helmets sit next to a tank holding rescued Leopard Geckos. “An animal often helps to smooth conversation.” Guevara said. “This is where I feel I’m meant to be.”

Other school resource officers in the Upper Keys include Sgt. Mike Bourcier, deputy Lauren Landa and deputy Matt Koval. Bourcier supervises SROs in the Upper Keys and says he tries to visit every school every day. Landa is a field training officer with six years as a deputy and three years as an SRO.

“This is the way you become involved in the community. We teach safety, we work with clubs, and we are involved with the students.”

Deputy Matt Koval didn’t hesitate when asked about his most memorable experience.

“The alligator in the commode. I still don’t know the full story, but I’m glad I’m not FWC,” he said.

“We can go to them for anything. We love having them,” said Coral Shores High School principal Laura Lietaert.

SCHOOL BOARD RECOGNIZES ANDY GRIFFITHS

Keys longest-serving elected official retires after 32 years

School board members celebrate the upcoming retirement of Andy Griffiths, center, after 32 years on the board. From left, Darren Horan, Chair Sue Woltanski, Griffiths, Mindy Conn and John Dick. MANDY MILES/Keys Weekly

MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

Before Andy Griffiths cast his final votes as a school board member at the Oct. 8 meeting, his fellow board members and school district officials held a retirement reception in his honor.

The longest-serving elected official in Monroe County, Griffiths this month wraps up 32 years on the county school board, having never lost an election.

Griffiths also served in leadership positions on the statewide Florida School Boards Association, and has seen each of the county’s 12 public schools replaced with new facilities during his tenure.

The Monroe County School District holds a reception before the Oct. 8 school board in honor of Andy Griffiths’ upcoming retirement. MANDY MILES/Keys Weekly

Griffiths’ official retirement party will take place Saturday, Oct. 12 at Key West’s Beachside Resort. The party, a fundraiser for United Way, will feature dinner, drinks and dancing, with the help of Miami’s internationally renowned DJ Cardi.

Andy Griffiths retires this month after serving 32 years on the county school board. CONTRIBUTED

In

corner of school resource officer Mercy Guevara’s office near the PKS entrance you will see a pile of bicycle helmets. ‘They might ride to school without a helmet, but they will leave with one.’

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES NEW PRESIDENT/CEO

Elizabeth Brown to succeed Jennifer McComb

The Community Foundation of the Florida Keys recently announced that Elizabeth Brown, who has been serving as interim CEO since the departure of Jennifer McComb, has been selected as the permanent president and CEO of the foundation, following a comprehensive search process. Brown brings extensive leadership experience and a commitment to the Florida Keys community, according to a press release from the foundation.

Brown joined the foundation as vice president for philanthropy in 2022, bringing over 15 years of nonprofit leadership and consulting experience, including her previous role as deputy director of advancement for the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Asian Art. During her tenure at the foundation, she has been instrumental in strengthening relationships with donors and nonprofit partners, particularly in the Middle and Upper Keys.

Board Chair Laura Lietaert praised the selection of Brown, saying, “I am confident that Elizabeth will keep us on the upward trajectory that Jen McComb started. Now, more than ever, we are ‘In Paradise for Good.’”

Brown, who holds a Master of Public Policy from Duke University and dual undergraduate degrees in Industrial and Systems Engineering and Spanish from Auburn University, will lead the foundation as it continues its mission of making Key West and the Florida Keys a better place to live now and in the future. She also holds a Sunshine Certificate in nonprofit management from the Florida Association of Nonprofits and has completed the National Community Foundation Boot Camp.

As the new president and CEO, Brown will focus on further

growing the foundation’s impact and expanding partnerships with donors and community leaders to address critical needs in the region. The foundation will maintain its offices in Key West and Brown will be based at its new office space in Islamorada, with frequent trips throughout the Keys. This structure marks a significant step in ensuring a strong presence throughout the county.

“I am deeply honored to step into this role and continue serving the wonderful community we have here in the Florida Keys,” said Brown. “The support from our board, staff and my predecessor, Jen McComb, has been invaluable throughout this transition. Together, we are energized and ready to advance the foundation’s mission to address the evolving needs of our community, both now and for the generations to come.”

For nearly three decades, the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys has been dedicated to strengthening the Florida Keys by building long-term and permanent funds that provide grants, scholarships and critical support to nonprofit organizations. To learn more about the foundation, call 305-292-1502 or visit cffk.org.

About the Community Foundation of

the Florida Keys

The Community Foundation of the Florida Keys is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to making the Florida Keys a better place to live, now and in the future, through grants, leadership, and donor-driven philanthropy. Since 1996, the Foundation has awarded over $32 million in grants and scholarships throughout the Keys, supporting arts and culture, the environment, health and human services, disaster relief, scholarships, youth programs, and more. The Community Foundation helps individuals and families leave a legacy in the Keys by inspiring giving and by connecting people, resources, and needs through philanthropy. The Foundation is well-known for its signature “Unsung Heroes” event which honors nonprofit volunteers. For more information, call 305-292-1502 or visit cffk.org.

— Contributed

Historical Preservation Society presentation

The Historical Preservation Society of the Upper Keys will host an interactive program on Monday, Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. at Coral Isles Church, MM 90, on Plantation Key. A PowerPoint slide will be shown on the local history. See the where, what and when of the Upper Keys.

Keys Sanctuary Advisory Council meets Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council will meet at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 15, in Marathon. The council will discuss several topics related to the Restoration Blueprint including a timeline update and buoy system plans. Hanna Koch, director of Monroe County’s artificial reef program will also present a program update. A public comment opportunity will be offered at approximately 2 p.m.

An agenda and supporting materials will be posted at https:// floridakeys.noaa.gov/sac. For questions or information prior to the meeting, please contact Liz Trueblood (elizabeth.trueblood@ noaa.gov).

Fish tournament in Islamorada

Veteran anglers and competitive newcomers are gearing up for the 54th annual Islamorada Fall All-Tackle Bonefish & Permit Championship scheduled Monday through Wednesday, Oct. 14-16.

The fishing challenge includes up to 25 participants fishing in three divisions — artificial, fly and bait. One angler per boat is paired with a licensed captain to vie for trophies for the three longest bonefish and three longest permit.

A kick-off party is set for 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13, at the Islamorada Fishing Club, temporarily located at MM 80.9 oceanside. Anglers are to check in virtually and can launch from any location for the tournament’s three days of fishing. Fishing is scheduled between 7:15 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. An angler meeting and awards ceremony begins at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Islamorada Fishing Club.

Awards will be given in bait, artificial and fly divisions, as well as for the largest bonefish and permit - ultimately leading to the grand champion award and the All-Tackle winner, if an angler

manages to land both species on all tackle. A newcomer award also is to be presented.

Entry fee is $850 per angler. Tournament information and registration: wesley@lockeandkeyproductionsor 941-268-1331.

CFK scholarships available for spring

The College of the Florida Keys encourages future and current students to apply for scholarships for the spring semester. Criteria for scholarships range widely to accommodate and assist a variety of students. Scholarship descriptions and criteria can be viewed on the college’s website at cfk.edu/discover/cfk-foundation/ scholarship-info/. Applications are submitted online. The deadline to submit applications for most scholarships is Nov. 6. There is no limit to the number of scholarships for which a student may apply. CFK’s spring semester begins Jan. 10,2025. Students must be registered for spring classes to be eligible for spring scholarships.

For more scholarship information and guidance, contact the CFK Foundation at foundation@cfk.edu or 305-809-3153. In addition to scholarships, further resources to help students pay for college, such as federal financial aid and tuition payment plans, can be found on CFK’s website at cfk.edu/paying-for-college/.

Sheriff: Man arrested faces more drug charges

The sheriff’s office recently arrested Frederick Jester, 41, of Homestead, on a warrant for trafficking 29.3 grams of cocaine in August 2024.

Jester was in possession of 46.5 grams of cocaine when he was arrested on Oct. 5, 2024 in Key Largo for the above-mentioned warrant. The vehicle Jester was seen in prior to the arrest was searched and a firearm was located.

He was taken to jail on the original cocaine trafficking warrant, and additionally charged with cocaine trafficking and possession of a weapon/ammunition by a convicted felon.

Two men cited for undersized fish

Monroe County marine deputies cited two Miami-Dade County men on Oct. 6 for possessing undersized fish in two separate cases:

Elizabeth Brown

Islamorada Marine Deputy Nelson Sanchez wrote Yunisley Rodriguez, 40, of Miami, a mandatory notice to appear in court citation near MM 78 for harvesting/possessing an undersized hogfish.

Middle Keys Marine Deputy Luis Guiardinu wrote Alejandro Osuna Miranda, 23, of Hialeah, Florida, a mandatory notice to appear in court citation near MM 73 for harvesting/ possessing two undersized mutton snapper and an undersized red grouper.

For information on wildlife regulations go to www.myfwc.com.

AAA: Gas prices drop several cents

Florida gas prices fell 7 cents per gallon last week. The state average dropped from $3.17 per gallon to $3.10 per gallon on Oct. 6. The state average is now 11 cents less than a month ago, and 41 cents less than this time last year.

“Oil prices rose last week on concerns that tensions in the Middle East could widen,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA - The Auto Club Group. “This could contribute to an uptick in pump prices as Floridians prepare for Hurricane Milton.”

Oil prices reached their highest levels in five weeks. On Oct. 4, the U.S. price for crude settled at $73.98 per barrel, an increase of 9% from the week before.

Classes at Key Largo library

The Key Largo library will offer a new series of talks called Eco-Voices Thursday, Oct. 24 through February 2025. Six local groups will present their story and how, together, we can make a positive impact on our Keys environment: Florida Keys Wild Bird Sanctuary, Coral Restoration Foundation, MarineLab, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, Dolphin Plus Marine Mammal Responder and John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.

The six adult art classes will be offered October to February. They will be taught by members of the Art Guild of the Purple Isles who are

also experienced art teachers. Each art class will coordinate and reflect one of the Eco-Voices presentations. Art techniques will include drawing, gyotaku, acrylic painting, batik and alcohol inks. Art class sizes will be limited and advanced registration will be required starting in October. Check with library staff for details.

At the end of the art program series, 50 pieces of art will be framed and on exhibit in the library community room for the month of March.

Programs are made possible by the Friends of the Key Largo Library and your donations at book sales, raffles and planned giving. Special thanks to Shell World and Monroe County Public Libraries for their generous support of cultural programming at the library. These programs are sponsored in part by the Florida Keys Council of the Arts, the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, Monroe County Public Libraries, and private donations. If you are interested in becoming a Friend of the Key Largo Library, email to FriendsKeyLargoLibrary@gmail.com.

County parks & beaches worker recognized

The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners recently recognized Eddie Capote for his 20 years of dedicated service with Monroe County. Capote started as a maintenance worker and became a team leader in the parks and beaches department at Key Largo Community Park and Friendship Park.

“He does a tremendous job keeping the parks safe and aesthetically pleasing for our community members,” said Parks and Beaches Director John Allen. “Over the years, Eddie has proven to be a valuable asset to the team, always stepping up to help whenever we are in need.”

Recently, Capote helped with the Keys Kids Swim program, translating for a little girl who could not speak English well.

“He warms the community’s heart, and we are very lucky to have him,” Monroe County Mayor Holly Raschein said.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF THE UPPER KEYS BREAKS GROUND ON FOUR NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS

Habitat for Humanity of the Upper Keys celebrated a significant milestone on Oct. 7 with a groundbreaking ceremony at 110, 112, 114, and 116 Poinsettia Drive. The project will see the construction of four new affordable housing units, providing critical housing solutions for families in the Upper Keys community.

The ceremony was attended by notable public figures, including state Rep. Jim Mooney and state Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez. Members of the Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors and other local community members also joined the event in support of this important initiative.

“This project represents more than just four homes — it is about

building hope and opportunity for families in need,” said Habitat for Humanity of the Upper Keys Executive Director, Lindsay Fast. “We are grateful for the support of our partners and the community who make these projects possible, namely Publix and Ocean Reef Community Foundation.” The contributions from Publix and the Ocean Reef Community Foundation ensures that more residents of the Upper Keys will have access to safe, affordable housing, helping to strengthen and uplift the local community. Each of these four units will become three-bedroom, two-bathroom, single-family homes. Construction is set to start soon with a completion time of spring 2026. — Contributed

From left, Carla Bahn, HfHUK board member; Amanda Whalen, HfHUK; Senator Ana Maria Rodriguez; State Rep. Jim Mooney; Susan Latham, HfHUK board member; Nikki Neves, HfHUK; and Tony Hammon, HfHUK board member. CONTRIBUTED

KIDS FISH DURING 27TH ANNUAL DERBY

Atotal of 148 young anglers, from toddlers to 10-year-olds, took part in the 27th annual Keys Kids Fishing Derby on Sept. 29, at the Lorelei.

Kids fish in one of three different divisions, offshore, shoreline or backcountry and awards are given for three different age groups in each of these divisions. Ditty bags packed full of fishing and other goodies from many local businesses and other donors, including a fishing rod with tackle box for each angler from Fish Florida, were handed out to all kids who fished. Lines were in at 9 a.m. and the weigh scales closed at 1 p.m.

Eva McCadie was this year’s grand champion with a 27.7-pound amberjack. McCadie, 10, went home with a fishing rod from Tackle Center of Islamorada, a framed Pasta Pantaleo print, the grand champion tournament trophy, award certificate and tackle box backpack from World Wide Sportsman, as well as other prizes and a story to tell for years to come.

Sixty-five of the anglers registered for the shoreline division, most fishing from the docks at the Lorelei, the home of the derby. Weighmaster Hudson Wampler weighed a 1.6-pound snapper for 3-year-old Thomas Zinkand, winning the 0-to-4 age division. Zinkand and all the other winning anglers were awarded fishing rods from Tackle Center of Islamorada, Pasta Prints, tournament trophies, award certificates and lots of other great gifts. Second-place shoreline was Kerious Jones, 4, with a .9-pound snapper followed by 3-year-old Harper Johnson with a .8-pound snapper. It was a tie for first and second in the 5-to-7-age group. Winning first place on time was Zyla Zinkand, 7, with a 2.2-pound snapper, followed by her 5-yearold brother Triton Zinkand. Third place went to Destin Clark, 6, with a 1.8-pound snapper.

Nine-year-old Madison Whitehead weighed a .9-pound snapper taking first place in the 8-to10-year olds. Malcom Atkins, 10, weighed a 1.0 pound snapper, taking second place, and third place went to 10-year-old Nicholas Blanko with a .8-pound snapper. All fish caught at the Lorelei were released immediately after being weighed in.

The backcountry division’s largest fish would be weighed in by Boone Hickory, 4. His jack crevalle weighed 3.3 pounds. Three-year-old Beau Evans weighed a 3-pound jack and Conrad Hickory, 2, came in third with a 2.4-pound jack. Seven-year-old Felix Stanczyk won his division with a 2.4-pound snapper. Rider Early was second place with a 2.3-pound snapper and William Walsh took third place with his 1-pound jack. Winner of the 8-to-10-year-olds was Bradley Ekblom with a 2.4-pound snapper. Emma Rodriguez took second place with a 1.5-pound snapper and Easton Meyers weighed in the only black drum a 1.4-pounder for third.

Offshore angler Marlin Mason, 2, won his division with a 9.4-pound dolphin. Second place was 4-year-old Bella Bastron with a 7.9-pound dolphin and Jack Bastron, age 3, won third place with a 6.6-pound dolphin. Sadie Stanczyk won the 5-to-7 age group with her 11.1-pound tuna. Fisher Gregory took second place with a 7.4-pound tuna. Third place went to Avery Hamilton with a 7.3-pound dolphin. Eight-year-old Morada Mason won her division with an 8.8-pound dolphin and Carlotte Nason won second place with a 8.3-pound dolphin on time. The other 8.3 pounder won third place for Avery Hamilton.

There were many outstanding catches this year including tarpon, goliath grouper, redfish, snook and other species. This year’s winner was 4-year-old Bryce Miller, who released two snook and weighed in a 0.9 pound snapper. He also jumped a tarpon near the boat.

“Our founder Kathy Lewis just wanted to get kids fishing,” said tournament director Dianne Harbaugh. “The Keys Kids Derby’s main purpose is to educate young anglers about fishing. This is the best day of the year, just watching these kids have fun catching and releasing fish. There are so many kids that get to catch their first fish. Without the help from the Islamorada Fishing and Conservation Trust, the Islamorada Charter Boat Association, Alina Davis and other local supporters we could not have made this such a great event.”

— Contributed

during

1. A family of anglers participating in the Keys Kids Fishing Derby at the Lorelei in Islamorada. MJ Hudson/CONTRIBUTED. 2. Anglers lined up on the dock of the Lorelei

the 27th annual Keys Kids Fishing Derby in Islamorada. 3. Eva McCadie, 10, was the grand champion of the 27th annual Keys Kids Fishing Derby out of the Lorelei in Islamorada. 4. Bryce Miller, 4, was the winner of the 27th annual Keys Kids Fishing Derby out of the Lorelei in Islamorada. 5. Young angler posing with a dolphin on the scale. 6. All fish caught at the Lorelei during the tournament were released back into the water after being weighed in.

CARING FOR CATS

Annual backcountry fish tournament expands

JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

Sharon Mahoney’s love for fishing and cats led to a ladies one-day backcountry Casting for Cats tournament in 2001. Now in its 23rd year, the fishing event returns with new features, bigger prizes and a new formula to raise critical funds for animals in need. Set for Oct. 18-19, the Casting for Cats Backcountry Tournament is back at the Islander Resort in Islamorada.

“We are reinventing the whole tournament and letting men fish. Two women can fish or a man and a woman can fish. You can hire a guide or the guide can be your partner,” said Mahoney, a lifelong Keys resident and founder of the Casting for Cats. “And anglers ages 15 and older can now join.”

Over the years, Mahoney’s nonprofit worked with other small organizations to rescue, spay and neuter cats in the Keys. She’s worked closely with Margie Schwartz’s Whiskers and Paws Forever of Monroe County, and together they’ve held clinics, spayed and neutered and found homes for thousands of cats.

“It’s something that didn’t happen before we formed these little organizations,” Mahoney said.

Tournament proceeds will go to support the spaying and neutering of cats in Keys. Mahoney said she’s worked with the Upper Keys Veterinary Hospital on spaying and neutering.

“They all have done tremendous work,” Mahoney said.

Sign-in for the tournament and a goodie bag pickup is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 18 from 6-9 p.m. at Islander Resort. A reading of the rules will start at 7:15 p.m. Last-minute registration will go from 6-7:45 p.m. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be served during the kickoff.

Angler sign-ins will take place Saturday, Oct. 19 from 6:30-7:15 a.m. at Lorelei. Lines are in the water at 7:30 a.m. with lines out by 3:30 p.m. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the dinner and awards at 8 p.m. at Islander Resort.

The tournament features three divisions, bait, artificial and fly. Division winners must catch at least one of the five major species, snook, redfish, tarpon, bonefish or permit.

Entry forms, rules and more information can be found at castingforcats.org.

KEYS COMMUNITY PACKS SHOES BOXES WITH GIFTS FOR THE LESS FORTUNATE

The 23rd annual Casting for Cats Backcountry Tournament returns Oct. 18-19. CONTRIBUTED

Margie Schwartz, Whiskers and Paws Forever of Monroe County, and Sharon Mahoney, Casting for Cats founder, have worked to address the feral cat population in the Keys.

SEA CELEBRATION

1. ‘For the Love of the Sea’ Celebration will take place on Florida Bay on Saturday, Oct. 19. REEF/Contributed. 2. REEF Fest features diving, snorkeling and kayaking with local eco-excursion partners. Diving and snorkeling will take place Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 17-19. 3. Seminars will take place at the Murray Nelson Government Center in Key Largo.

Ocean lovers who enjoy diving, snorkeling and kayaking eco-tours can explore and learn about the latest in Florida Keys marine conservation Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 17-20, during the annual REEF Fest in Key Largo.

Ocean conservation, education initiatives and demonstrating positive impacts of citizen science in the Florida Keys and around the world are at the core of the mission for the nonprofit Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF).

The four-day festival features social events, ocean-themed seminars, coral reef dives, snorkeling excursions with REEF fish surveyors to share helpful fish species knowledge, and guided kayak eco-tours to search for wading birds and nearshore marine life.

REEF Fest events kick off Thursday, Oct. 17, with morning dive and snorkel trips with area operators. From 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the REEF Campus, MM 98.3 in the Florida Keys Overseas Highway median, attendees can participate in an open-house gathering to meet and mingle, enjoy wine and craft beer, tour the interpretive center and walk a native plants trail.

Friday and Saturday, participants can again join morning dive, snorkel or kayak trips. Dedicated boat charters with Pirates Cove Watersports and Quiescence Diving Services are available for the Thursday, Friday and Saturday dive and snorkel excursions. A REEF representative is to be onboard with fish identification and survey materials. For paddlers, guided three-hour kayak tours with Florida Bay Outfitters can be booked Friday and Saturday mornings. Tours include all rental equipment, a lesson on paddling techniques, snacks, water and guide. Visit REEF.org/REEF-

fest/diving.

Friday and Saturday afternoons, marine conservation seminars are scheduled at the Murray Nelson Government and Cultural Center, mile marker 102 bayside. Sessions are to begin each afternoon at 2:30 p.m. and are free and open to the public. There is also an evening session at 6 p.m. Friday. Registration is requested. Visit REEF.org/REEFfest/ registration.

A 5-6 p.m. Friday social hour is planned as well.

Seminars are to cover topics that include ways citizen scientists are contributing to marine conservation, how upside-down jellyfish serve as bioindicators, underwater photographer Stephen Frink’s look back at his five decades of diving experience in Key Largo, and the Diving With a Purpose organization’s work to restore coral ecosystems and document maritime history.

At Saturday night’s “For the Love of the Sea” open-air celebration, festivalgoers can connect with friends for dinner, drinks and a Keys sunset over Florida Bay. The 5-8:30 p.m. festivities are to be held at a waterfront venue next to Quiescence Diving Services, mile marker 103.6 on Key Largo’s Blackwater Sound.

The limited-seating dinner event is to feature passed appetizers, culinary stations, an open bar and a large silent auction. Attendees are encouraged to purchase tickets to “For the Love of the Sea” in advance on the registration page. The $95 price per person increases to $105 after Sept. 27.

REEF Fest is to conclude Sunday, Oct. 20, with a guided nature tour at Key Largo’s John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Coffee and pastries are to be served before the tour. Visit REEF.org/REEFfest/conservation. — Contributed

LET’S

SHARING THE MAGIC

When Patti Kirk Gross started scuba diving in 1981, the industry was very different. Women weren’t really present, connected, supported nor celebrated. Now, as president of the Women Divers Hall of Fame, she and other legendary women divers are offering 25 scholarships to ensure the future is more equitable.

Growing up, Gross always loved water. She was a lifeguard, swim teacher, competitive swimmer and water skier. She’d seen divers on TV, but never knew how to get there –underwater.

Then, the Nebraska native moved to Las Vegas, Nevada as an administrative law judge. She completed her open water course in Lake Mead and was hooked.

“I clearly remember the feeling of putting my face in the water at the swimming pool and taking that first breath underwater. It was magic,” she said exuberantly.

Obsession set in quickly, and her first dive trip altered the course of her entire life. “I had an office job, and on my first trip to the ocean [to dive], I saw people working for money on a dive boat,” she said. “I went back home, took the time to become an instructor with several specialties, and then took off for the Caribbean … I began a new life traveling throughout the oceans and have never looked back.”

Being an instructor gave her “the ability to change a person’s life” by giving them that same “aha” moment she’d had in the pool. She found her purpose and mission. “I felt like I now had a magical power, and it was so rewarding to share that magic,” she said.

While she insisted that she “certainly was not a global trailblazer like Lottie Hass, Dottie Frazier or Sylvia Earle,” Gross was the only female in all her dive classes, including her instructor course.

“I never gave that a thought, as it was just kind of that way at the time,” she said. “I guess I just didn’t know I was supposed to be intimidated by the others in class, mostly because I was more comfortable in the water and able to complete skills easier.”

She said, “Instinctively, I knew if I wanted something, I could have it.” She persisted and found a niche training others, something that remains near to her heart. Gross said, “The one thing I did best was write dive training modules. I took advantage of PADI allowing ‘specialty certifications.’ I’ve done this all my life.”

She got creative. One resort had kayaks and a mooring buoy about 300 yards from shore, so she taught herself how to get in/out of a kayak with dive gear on and wrote that specialty. During Coral Restoration Foundation’s (CRF) fledgling days, Gross recalls chipping in for boat gas. To fix the situation, she wrote a series of CRF coral restoration specialties so that “people could pay us to work.”

1. Patti Gross hands out blue marbles to anyone she meets. Here, she poses with the 2019 Scholars. Courtesy Patti Kirk Gross. 2. Patti Gross performs CPR on a training dummy while working at a Club Med. 3. Patti Gross recalls her instructor exam. Only three out of five passed.

She’s also the dive safety officer for Force Blue, a nonprofit that redeploys combat veterans for marine conservation. Gross authored both CRF’s and Force Blue’s dive safety manuals and worked to certify both nonprofits as AAUS Operating Members with 10year reciprocity with NOAA. This was no small feat and a legacy in the Keys she’s very proud of.

So, what now?

This year, Gross is the president of the Women Divers Hall of Fame (WDHOF), a nonprofit founded in 1999 to recognize women divers who have made outstanding contributions to the exploration, understanding, safety and enjoyment of the underwater world.

“Quickly, WDHOF’s members realized it wasn’t about us but about paying it forward with opportunity and opening doors where we might not have gotten a hand,” Gross told the Weekly.

The organization began offering scholarships in 2001. The success of the scholarship program helped WDHOF evolve: in addition to honoring legends, they also actively promote opportunities in diving through grants, scholarships, internships and mentoring. To date, WDHOF has awarded over half-a-million dollars in training and equipment scholarships to 471 individuals.

Sally Bauer, co-founder of Islamorada’s History of Diving Museum and a past WDHOF Board Member, started

diving in the 1960s in Ohio. Her dive classes were run by ex-military trained divers who were demanding and harsh, she said. They’d mess with her equipment and the amount of testing she had to undergo.

Bauer added: “Like a lot of things in life, when women were breaking in, we really had to be better than to be seen as equal. This included diving, of course. And, I believe we’ve really prevailed. Just look at the list of WDHOF Members and our scholars — it’s absolutely amazing!”

Now, to celebrate WDHOF’s 25th anniversary, Gross, Bauer and their community of badass women divers are offering 25 basic and advanced training grants. These include scholarships for everything from foundational open water certifications to sea turtle conservation to hyperbaric medicine to hard hat diving.

Grants are open until the end of October. There are no geographical limitations, and WDHOF hopes to increase access to diving around the world through this grant. Furthermore, some grants are geared towards women, but others are open to any gender identification.

“Our grants and scholarships are, frankly, amazing,” Bauer said. “That people in need can write in and get funding to learn to dive? Get dive equipment? That’s amazing.”

For more information and to apply, visit: https://www.wdhof.org/ scholarships/scholarship-descriptions.

4. Patti finds past and present associates at dive conferences to check in on them and to get an obligatory picture. 5.

credits diving with “absolutely” changing her life.

celebrate together.

Patti Gross

6. Patti Gross and the 2019 awardees

LOCAL BUSINESSES ADVERTISE WITH LOCAL FACES

Calusa, one of several restaurants at Baker's Cay Resort, serves modern American cuisine, highlighting sustainably-sourced produce from Florida and seafood straight from the Keys waters. Each creative dish is accompanied by breathtaking views of watercolor skies and the sparkling Florida Bay. Locals are invited to make memorable moments during the signature Pink Flamingo Sunday Brunch or indulge in exquisite dinners while watching the sunset. A 15% locals discount is o ered through Friday, Nov. 15 with identification.

Part of the Upper Keys community since 1985, the resort has evolved several times and is now a Curio Collection by Hilton property led by General Manager John Hearns, maintaining an embrace of the natural and authentic beauty of the area. "For 38 years, we have been a cherished part of the Key Largo community, woven into family traditions and memories," said Hearns. "We invite you to visit us again to cherish old moments and create new, unforge able experiences while dining at Calusa."

97000 Overseas Hwy. | 305.852.2963 www.bakerscay.com | sales@bakerscay.com

HISTORY OF DIVING MUSEUM OFFERS TOURS AND FREE ‘IMMERSE YOURSELF’ PRESENTATION

The History of Diving Museum will be hosting tours this month focusing on diving and military history in Islamorada. CONTRIBUTED. 2. U.S. Navy Veteran Bobbie Scholley worked on the scene of the salvage and recovery project of the USS Monitor in 2002. 3. The USS Monitor sank off the coast of North Carolina in 1862.

The History of Diving Museum has two upcoming events for those interested in diving and military history.

On Sunday, Oct. 13, the museum will be offering guided tours included with your admission, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. These tours require no reservation, however, plan to be at the museum and get your tickets 15 minutes prior. On Wednesday, Oct. 16, the museum will stay open late and offer a free “Immerse Yourself” presentation at 7 p.m.

This month’s events will coincide with the 248th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Navy.

Sunday’s tours will highlight Navy divers and their feats. Retired Navy Capt. Bobbie Scholley’s presentation on Wednesday will cover the salvage of the USS Monitor, a Union Navy ship that sank in 1862.

Scholley retired from the U.S. Navy in 2005 after over 24 years of service. Commissioned in 1981 as a surface warfare officer, she served aboard various ships and shore commands. She is a seasoned speaker and is routinely called upon to provide her expertise for news interviews.

Join Scholley at 7 p.m. on

Wednesday, Oct. 16, as she tells the story of the U.S. Navy’s Salvage and Recovery Operation for the USS Monitor Expedition 2002, for which she was the On Scene Commander. This ironclad warship was famous for the Battle of the Monitor and Merrimack. Learn how the Navy partnered with NOAA and the Mariners’ Museum in Virginia to plan and execute a historic diving operation, which included recovering the Monitor’s unique revolving gun turret and other artifacts from 240 feet underwater off the coast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.

Those interested in attending the Wednesday “Immerse Yourself” lecture in-person can reserve a seat by calling the museum at 305-6649737 or emailing the community outreach team at programs@divingmuseum.org. For those unable to attend in-person, visit www.DivingMuseum.org for a virtual Zoom link. This session will also be recorded and posted to the HDM YouTube channel. The History of Diving Museum would like to thank this month’s Immerse Yourself sponsor: Ret. Admiral Kurt Tidd, and David and Patti Gross.

— Contributed

ANGLER REELS IN RECORD LIZARDFISH

It takes a family to land a world record fish certified by the International Game Fish Association — even one without the acclaim of the superstar bonefish or permit In this case, longtime Islamorada visitor Pedro Alvarez received word on Sept. 4 that he had landed that IGFA distinction for an Atlantic lizardfish of 3 pounds, caught on Feb. 11, 2024 in the Everglades on resident Tim and Anderson Ervin’s 22 Pathfinder, The Legacy. The bait was supplied by Eddy’s Bait and Tackle of Tavernier and the fish was weighed on a scale purchased from Islamorada’s Tackle Center. The boat was named after former director of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and president of Michigan State University, Gordon Guyer, thanks to a connection made by longtime Michigan leader and inveterate outdoorsman William Rustem. TIM ERVIN/Contributed

GET READY FOR SPOOKY EVENTS THIS MONTH

The Laura Quinn Wild Bird Center will be hosting its sixth annual Owl-Ween on Friday, Oct. 25 in Tavernier. CONTRIBUTED

Hi friends!

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

passed, and everyone is safe and unscathed.

On Friday, Oct. 25, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Laura Quinn Wild Bird Center in Tavernier, they will be hosting its sixth annual OwlWeen celebration. This year, there will be games, activities, and of course, candy. There will also be a small conservation village of other local nonprofit organizations setting up spooky booths with their own interactive displays. Some of the activities you can look forward to are a story time corner with the Monroe County Library, face painting, a spooky photo-op area, games, cookie decorating and much more. They will also be asking all guests to vote for their favorite nonprofit booth at the event, and the booth with the most votes will receive a sponsored cash donation to their cause. Come and trick or screech while supporting your local conservation nonprofits: REEF, I.CARE, Coral Restoration Foundation, Marine Lab and Crustacean Plantation.

MARSHALL

This incredibly handsome boy is a star with everybody he meets. With his long, gangly legs and loveable personality, Marshall is all about hugs and affection. While he isn’t friendly with other dogs, he makes up for it with all the love he has for his humans. He’d thrive with a spacious, fenced-in backyard where he can play, preferably with a privacy fence. Around the office he is known for his impeccable behavior, although he does have the habit of taking over your chair as soon as you stand upand we don’t mind one bit. He is ready for his furever home. Interested in learning more? Give MarrVelous Pet Rescue a call 305-453-1315.

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

Voting for Best of the Upper Keys is in full swing and I want to take a moment to thank each and every one of you who nominated me and Pawsitive Beginnings. We made the top 3 in the respective categories of “Best Local Celebrity” and “Best Non-Profit Organization.” I would be totally stoked to win the celebrity title for the third year in a row and I know my mother, Nicole Navarro, would probably ugly cry if we won in the best nonprofit category. We had quite the monumental year here at the sanctuary and a win would be the icing on the cake. I don’t eat cake, but you get what I’m saying.

The month of October is packed full of fun events all up and down the Florida Keys. I’m going to list some of them off for this report and hope that by the time this paper hits newsstands, Hurricane Milton has

On Saturday, Oct. 26, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., head over to Pennekamp State Park for their Halloween festivities. This year’s event features:

• Trunk or Treat at Cannon Beach Parking Lots 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

• A-scare-ium 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

• Spooky Trail (without scare actors) 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

• Spooky Trail (with scare actors) 6:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

• Mermaid meet-and-greet.

• Captain Coral shows

This year’s event will be free to enter, and we will be accepting donations to benefit Friends of John Pennekamp. There are so many fun events happening this month and I will try to highlight as many as possible.

Anywho, that’s all for this week. Stay safe out there and don’t forget to vote for all of your favorites for Best of the Upper Keys. Until next time, Reef, over and out!

SAVE THE DATE

Thursday, Oct. 10

• Upper Keys Candidate Forum from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the Murray Nelson Government Center. Free event.

Saturday, Oct. 12

• Good Health Clinic’s 12th annual Carnaval for Health at 7 p.m. at Founders Park Beach, Islamorada.

Tuesday, Oct. 15

• Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council meeting at 9 a.m. at Marathon City Council Chambers.

• Matecumbe Historical Trust presentation on International Archaeology Day at 6:30 p.m. at Islamorada library, MM 81.5. Free to the public.

Wednesday, Oct. 16

• “Immerse Yourself” presentation featuring Bobbie Scholly, retired U.S. Navy, at 7 p.m. at History of Diving Museum, Islamorada.

Thursday, Oct. 17

• Third Thursday Morada Way Art Walk from 6 to 9 p.m. at Morada Way Arts & Cultural District, Islamorada.

Saturday, Oct. 19

• Amoray Dive Center’s 26th annual Underwater Pumpkin Carving Contest at 12:30 p.m. Call 305-4513595 for more information.

• Halloween Pinfish Bash from 3 to 10 p.m. at Pinfish Entertainment Center, Tavernier.

• “Dry Tortugas - Stronghold of Nature” book release by author Ian Wilson-Navarro from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Hale Gallery, 81888 Unit 2, Islamorada.

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.

It is no secret that Key West gets most of the shine in the Florida Keys. In everyday talk about the island chain, most conversations center on the Southernmost City. The same can be said about things written in magazine articles and books and told in documentaries. Sometimes, it can feel like Key West is the only island in the Florida Keys, which is one of the reasons I do what I do: there is tremendous history up and down the island chain.

Today, we’ll explore an island that was two islands before Henry Flagler and the men building the Key West Extension of his Florida East Coast Railway arrived. The 1772 DeBrahm chart identified the larger of the two islands as Wright. In 1849, Gerdes wrote in his pamphlet Reconnaissance of the Florida Reef and all the Keys, “Island between Long Id. (an early name for Plantation Key) and Old Matecumbe (Upper Matecumbe) has no name.” In the 1850s, both a U.S. Coast Survey and a report by Captain Abner Doubleday (yes, that Abner Doubleday who didn’t invent baseball) written for the U.S. Army identified the island as

LIMESTONE QUARRIES, HENRY FLAGLER AND DECORATIVE ROCK

Vermont Key.

During the construction of the railroad, the two islands were known as the Umbrella Keys and Windleys Island. Benjamin Russell homesteaded 127 acres of the substantially larger of the two islands in 1883. In 1895, that island’s remaining 97 acres were deeded to the Jackson, Tampa, and Key West Railroad – a precursor to the Florida East Coast Railway. It was Henry Flagler’s men who, while building the Key West Extension of the East Coast Railway, filled the narrow channel separating the two islands with limestone, sand, and marl until the two islands became one.

We recognize the island as Windley Key, a name thought to have come from an early pioneer. It is a relatively small island and home to a single mile marker, 85. Windley Key boasts two prominent physical features: quarries and fossils. It might be the best place in all of the Florida Keys to stop and take a good close look at the Keys’ ancient “underbelly.”

One of the island’s defining features is a collection of rock quarries dating back to the turn of the 20th century. One of those quarries hides in relatively plain sight as the prominent, rectangular water feature where bottlenose dolphins have been performing for audiences at Theater of the Sea since 1946.

In the midst of the Flagler years, a bustling railroad town sprang to life on Windley Key.

It was named, appropriately enough, Quarry and was located in the

general area of what is today the parking lot of Theater of the Sea.

On April 8, 1908, the Jacksonville Florida Times-Union printed: “The camp at Quarry on Windley’s or Umbrella Key, is about the liveliest place on the keys. 100 laborers are employed quarrying rock, which is taken down the line and distributed along the trestles and right of way of the ocean going railway, for their protection from tides. Mr. W.E. Brown is the resident engineer, and Capt. Richard and Mr. H.W. Connelly, foreman. The culinary department is looked after by Mr. D. M. Matheson, steward and it is not saying too much in his praise to call it the best camp that ever operated on the line. The men are fed on the best, nicely cooked, plenty of seafood, fresh meat and vegetables in abundance. Laborers come and go when they please, and are well paid. Mr. D.C. McCown is the storekeeper and Mr. E.M. Birchland is the new agent.”

At the quarries, workers sliced through the substrate for a byproduct of an ancient coral reef. Corals are not plants but animals closely related to sea anemones and jellyfish. They also build tiny coral homes by excreting limestone. Over thousands of years, the overlapping development of those limestone houses grow to create massive barrier reef systems. One of those ancient systems of coral reefs is now called the Florida Keys.

It is one thing to say that the island chain was built on the back of an ancient coral reef, but it is another thing to see it firsthand, which makes

Windley Key special. The primary quarry sites were located on the other side of the railroad tracks from what is today Theater of the Sea, where operations would continue long after Henry Flagler rolled into Key West aboard his personal railcar on January 22, 1912.

Quarry work, done first by Russell and later by the men building the railroad and those working for the Keystone Rock Company, exposed eight-foot-tall island walls. Within those walls are the fossilized remains of the ancient reef, which is why the old quarry is now home to the Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park.

The last company to quarry the limestone was the Keystone Rock Company. The quarrymen cut away the slabs of limestone that were then shipped to the Miami warehouse where the fossilized stone facades were polished to a sheen and sold as a decorative building material called Keystone. The Florida Keys Memorial, also known as the Hurricane Monument, on Upper Matecumbe Key, is an excellent example of Keystone. Though Keystone is still used, The Keystone Quarry ceased operations in the 1960s. In addition to some of the machinery once used to cut away the limestone displayed on the park grounds, the exposed walls of the former quarry are still standing. When visiting the park and walking through the old quarry, it is not only amazing to see the beautifully fossilized corals in the walls but also just how cookie-thin the layer of natural humus that covers the Florida Keys can be.

Windley Key has history

eystone Quarry Warehouse on Windley Key circa 1965. FLORIDA KEYS HISTORY CENTER/ MONROE COUNTY LIBRARY

CELEBRATING HISPANIC HERITAGE

Cortadito to perform at local beer garden

Community Arts and Culture (CAC) has for decades brought world music performances, lectures and workshops to underserved communities. In the spirit of educating the public and celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, the Miami-based nonprofit will present a free, allages event featuring the Cuban folk group Cortadito next month in Islamorada.

The band plays the Florida Keys Brewing Company, 81611 Old Highway, Islamorada on Saturday, Oct. 19, during a very special tribute to Cuban music icons the Buena Vista Social Club (BVSC) beginning at 6 p.m. Cortadito will perform classics from the Grammywinning BVSC album, along with original music from their upcoming full-length release Guajiro Triangle.

“We’re excited about celebrating nuestra hispanidad and shar-

ing our music with the people of Islamorada for Hispanic Heritage Month,” says band co-founder and tresero Jose Elias.

Since its origins 12 years ago, Cortadito has evolved into one of the torchbearers of a pop culture phenomenon that is two centuries strong. A traditional folk and acoustic band that focuses on performing one of the earliest styles of Cuban country music known as Son (pronounced sOwn), their sound can best be described as reminiscent of the famed BVSC.

FKBC is the Upper Keys’ first microbrewery and is located in the Morada Way Arts and Cultural District. They always have a great selection of their favorite beers, as well as a rotating list of seasonal and barrel aged beers, on draft.

For more information, visit CACMiami.org.

— Contributed

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

What: Teen Witch (1989)

Why: Allow us to preface this with the disclaimer that not every entertaining movie necessarily needs to be good. Case in point is this curiosity that’s completely and hilariously confused as to what kind of film it wants to be. Is it a musical? A John Hughes-esque teen comedy? A steamy romance? A supernatural fantasy? Yes, and then some. Helping ground this insanity is Robyn Lively (sister of Blake Lively) as the winning lead. Surrounding her, though, are voo-doo dolls sending professors through the carwash, annoying family members being turned into animals, and a rap performance played so unironically that it must be seen to be believed. What better way to gear up for Halloween?

Where: This film is available on Kanopy, the library’s streaming app.

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

Recommended by: Kelvin Cedeño, library assistant, Islamorada library. See previous Reel Recs at keyslibraries.org/reel-recs.

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

What: “Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals” by Oliver Burkeman

Why: I am a notorious procrastinator and struggle with time elasticity. I’ll estimate that a task will take 5-10 minutes, and in the blink of an eye, I’m 45 minutes late and elbow-deep in an entirely unrelated project! I’ve attempted a foray into self-help books to see if there might be a remedy; yet I’ve only been able to find platitudes. Burkeman, a self-proclaimed former productivity geek, delves beyond simple listmaking advice and into the philosophy of how we spend and perceive time. Burkeman proclaims that “the real measure of any time management technique is whether or not it helps you neglect the right things.” This book is less about optimizing your time, and more about embracing how time is so much more than a resource to be exploited. I listened to the audiobook and Burkeman’s soft British accent makes his observations all that more poignant and amenable.

Where: You can get this as a print book, eBook and eAudiobook from the Monroe County Public Library system.

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

Recommended by: Riona Campbell, library associate, Key West library.

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

The Cuban folk group Cortadito. CONTRIBUTED

TRY ’N’ FIND

Words that remind us of spiders are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find: ARACHNID, DIGEST, EIGHT, FANGS, FLEXIBLE, GLAND, HALLOWEEN, INSECT, JAWS, PARALYZE, POISONOUS, PREY, SILK, SPIDER, SPINNERET, STRONG, VENOM, WEAVE, WEB.

Founded by Betty Debnam

Creepy, Crawly Spiders

Do you run from the room screaming when you see a spider? Or do you look at them and their webs with wonder?

Spiders are both amazing and creepy. With Halloween coming up soon, The Mini Page learned more about the awesome spider.

ARE SPIDERS INSECTS?

Spiders are in a group called arachnids (uhRAK-nids). Ticks, mites and scorpions belong to the same class.

Although spiders look a lot like insects, they are not insects. Here are some differences:

Spiders:

•have eight legs

•have two body sections

•spin silk

•have glands filled with venom

Insects:

•have six legs

•have three body sections

•Most have wings and antennae.

IMPORTANCE OF SPIDERS

Spiders eat billions of insects. They are important in controlling insects that may harm crops. They also help protect human health by capturing and eating diseasespreading insects such as houseflies.

Super strong silk

Spider silk is one of the strongest materials on Earth. One strand of spider silk is stronger than the same size strand of steel. But the silk is also flexible, or able to be easily shaped. Spider silk was once used to make bulletproof vests.

Spider silk starts as a liquid inside glands, or special organs, in the spider’s body. When the liquid silk comes in contact with air, it hardens.

A spider usually has four spinnerets, or organs that produce silk, at the tip of its abdomen. As the spider moves the spinnerets, they weave the silk together, much like people weave threads.

Spiders can change the size, strength, thickness, stretchiness and stickiness of their silk. Along with webs, spiders can spin protective covers for their egg sacs.

list only two types of spiders as poisonous to humans in America: the black widow and the brown recluse. The black widow spider (left) comes in two varieties — the western black widow and northern black widow. If you are bitten by one of these spiders, you should see a doctor right away. Be sure to keep the spider so it can be identified.

A new study finds that the COVID-19 virus is now widespread among wildlife in the United States, including such backyard animals as rabbits, mice and bats.

Virginia Tech researchers say the virus was most prevalent among wildlife near hiking trails and in highly trafficked public areas, suggesting the virus passed from humans to wildlife in some casual way. In one of the animals tested, the virus had mutated to a strain not seen in humans before. But the scientists stressed there is no evidence of the virus being transmitted from animals to humans.

VENOM

Venom is poison produced by an animal. Spider venom paralyzes its prey, or makes it unable to move.

The venom also digests the prey, or breaks it down into a liquid. Spiders can eat only liquids. When the venom has turned the prey to liquid, the spiders suck it into their stomachs.

Spiders’ venom is in their large jaws. At the tip of each jaw is a sharp, movable fang. When the spider bites an insect, the jaws squeeze the insect, and venom flows through an opening in the spider’s fangs.

Spiders eat only live insects. Once its venom has paralyzed the prey, the spider can keep its meal alive until it’s done eating.

BEING CAREFUL

Most spiders are too small to break human skin and are not dangerous to us.

But even spiders with weak venom can still cause serious reactions in people. Spider bites can cause a high fever, body aches, and some pain or swelling where the person was bitten. When you see a spider or a spider web, don’t put your hands on it. Spiders would rather run away than bite you. They usually bite humans only if they are rolled on or pinched against someone’s skin.

RESOURCES

On the Web: •bit.ly/MPspiders •bit.ly/MPspiders2

At the library: •“Spiders” by Rebecca Pettiford

Photo courtesy University of Nebraska Department. of Entomology

photo by

Jason7825

photo by Shenrich91

The spinneret of an Australian garden orb weaver spider

Experts

photo © Ben Smith

The fangs of a tarantula

SPOILER ALERT

IN

OCT.

Ultimate leader, ultimate team guy.”

Johnny Hughes, Key West head football coach

1,000

In last Friday’s victory over Killian, Key West’s Jaden Fox surpassed the 1,000-yard mark in rushing yards this season. His 194-yard performance resulted in 1 Conch TD, Fox’s 10th on the season. Coach Johnny Hughes describes Fox as “the complete player, better off the field than on.” Fox is credited with leading his team into tough situations, exuding confidence and fortifying the resolve of those around him. For his feats of athleticism on the field as well as his unmatched leadership, Key West’s Jaden Fox is the Keys Weekly Athlete of the Week.

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.

Publisher / Jason Koler jason@keysweekly.com

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Copy Editor / Mike Howie mike@keysweekly.com

Business Development

Patti Childress patti@keysweekly.com

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Se habla español

THE MARATHON WEEKLY (ISSN 1944-0812) IS PUBLISHED WEEKLY FOR $125 PER YEAR BY WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, INC., 9709 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, MARATHON FL 33050. APPLICATION TO MAIL AT PERIODICALS POSTAGE RATES IS PENDING AT FORT LAUDERDALE FL AND ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES.

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FINS’ BURSA, ‘CANES’ WHEATLEY MEDAL AT WOOTEN

Time running out to improve before postseason

Coral Shores and Marathon met in a familiar location on Oct. 2. The teams traveled to Miami’s Larry & Penny Thompson Park for the annual Larry Wooten Invitational. Marathon’s Vance Bursa finished second overall from a field of 173 runners. Bursa’s 17:01 finish was nearly two minutes ahead of his closest Keys competitor, which happened to be his younger brother, Tony, who crossed the line in 23rd place in 18:59. Next would be Allan Taylor in 19:17. Taylor and the younger Bursa are both freshmen. Eighth-grader Lucian Burns broke the 20-minute mark again, finishing in 19:54. Junior Caleb Shelar and senior Adrien Holdinga were fourth and fifth for the Fins.

The top Keys female finisher was freshman phenom Ali Wheatley, who brought home a fifth-place medal with her 21:28 finish. Behind Wheatley were teammates Kai Guth, Kate King, Tess Hill, Hayden Teal, Julieanna Oddo and Saige Ensign.

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

First for the Lady Fins was senior Ella Dunn in 25:11. Second for Marathon was Maeve Merryman, a sophomore, then Molly Joly, who opted to compete in the varsity race even though she is only in sixth grade. Rebecca Merryman and Sara Robinson were fourth and fifth for the Fins.

Key West was able to run the Conch Crawl on Oct. 5 after the weather and course conditions were uncooperative the week prior. Though the latest round of COVID to make its way through the Keys and an SAT ad-

tracy mcdonald

ministration diminished the field, plenty of runners were still able to compete. Freshman Sawyer Hill took first place on the grassy, hilly course, finishing in 19:32. Prometheus Delacerda, Alejandro Caridad, Daniel Roy, Jerven Louis and Matthew Barrett claimed places two through six for the Conchs. For the Lady Conchs, the big winner was Caylaa Makimaa, who finished in 21:00. Teammate Naima Thomas was second, finishing in a very respectable 22:00. Violet Jangraw and Mia Steer were third and fourth on their home course.

Despite winning the Conch Crawl in the morning, Hill still had some left in the tank. He and head coach Keara McGraw entered the Duval MIle later that evening. Hill turned it on and blazed down Duval Street, finishing the one-mile course in 4:29, good enough for second place overall and first in his age group. Coach McGraw was the first female overall, proving that she does indeed possess unworldly superpowers, as anyone familiar with planning and executing a 5K will attest. The time, energy, and stress in race coordination somehow did not fully drain McGraw, who regularly practices with her athletes.

Key West will head to Larry & Penny Thompson Park for the annual 305 Classic on Oct. 11, then close out their regular season at Marathon on Oct. 16. 2A Key West and Coral Shores will participate at their district event Oct. 30 at Larry & Penny Thompson Park while 1A Marathon competes the day before at Palmer Trinity School.

1. Sawyer Hill, left, and Keara McGraw, Conchs coach, pose with their hardware after spectacular finishes at the Duval Mile .

2. Members of Key West’s boys and girls cross country teams pose with their handcrafted trophies on Oct. 4.

3. The Fins’ top runner Vance Bursa leads the pack last week in Miami.

4. Marathon’s Ella Dunn, left, shows the crowd some love before the Larry Wooten Invitational in Miami last week.

5. Key West’s Violet Jangaw strides across the Key West golf course as the sun rises on Oct. 4 at the Conchs’ home meet. Jangraw finished third for her team.

6. Kai Guth looks strong mid-race

7.

8. Marathon’s Allan Taylor rounds a corner with teammate Lucian Burns right behind him.

9. Eighth-grader Lucian Burns has been steadily improving his time all season.

10. Sawyer Hill races down Duval in the annual Duval Mile, where he won his age group and came in second overall.

Hurricane freshman Ali Wheatley takes fifth place overall at Larry Wooten.

Photos by Rick Mackenzie and contributed images.

SO CLOSE

Conchs spoil perfect season for Lady ’Canes in exciting match

On Tuesday night, just one match stood between the Lady ’Canes and a perfect season. Head coach Jarrod Mandozzi knew the tall task would be no walk in the park in his team’s trip to Key West to face the Lady Conchs, but Coral Shores is not new to adversity this season and the team was up for the challenge.

“It’s fitting that in order to wrap up an undefeated season, we’ll have to do it on the road against Key West,” Mandozzi said before the match. “We know they’re always a great team and are well-coached, so we’re excited”

The 11-0 ‘Canes stormed into Bobby Menendez Gymnasium on Oct. 7 ready to do what seemed highly unlikely in August when they struggled in the preseason and were without a leader until Mandozzi stepped in. In addition to the chance at an undefeated season for the ’Canes, up for grabs for both teams was the title for Queens of the Keys, as both squads had beaten the other two in-county groups soundly.

It was Senior Night for the Conchs, who defended their home court with gusto, pulling off an early 5-0 lead in set one. Key West was on the attack, putting the ‘Canes on their heels just trying to stay alive. Key West won that one 25-14, but in set two, the ‘Canes’ hitters came alive, winning it decisively, 25-17.

Set three was a back-and-forth battle, but the Conch hitters were relentless. Audrey Smith would end the night with 4 kills and Gabby Garcia with 12. The 25-21 win for Key West gave them the advantage heading into set four. The intensity did not disappoint in that set, either. Both sides played with passion and hustle, but Key West reached 25 first, ending the match with a 25-23 score and thereby snuffing the hopes for a Coral Shores perfect season. Reese Haggard had 4 aces and 20 assists on her Senior Night. The Conchs’ other senior, Sunisa Kuhn, amassed 16 digs in the match despite a minor injury. The ‘Canes go down in the books with a record of 11-1 as they regroup for their district tournament Oct. 15, in hopes of bringing home the FHSAA 3A District 16 trophy.

On the way to the exciting culmination of their regular season, the Hurricanes effectively stormed through their schedule, with the latest victims being Marathon and Somerset South Homestead. On Oct. 2, Coral Shores came out strong, working themselves up to a 8-1 lead in the first set. Marathon battled back, but the ‘Canes snapped out of it and won the set 25-22. Coral Shores improved with each set, winning 25-20, then 25-18 to defeat the Dolphins 3-0.

“Marathon is always tough. They don’t give up easy points and of course there is a lot of pride being county rivals,” said Mandozzi, before praising one Fin he has coached against for many years. “Elena Eubank is such a fantastic athlete and competitor and a terrific young lady. I told her after the game that it has been a pleasure to coach against her and get to know her a little bit over the last however many years in basketball and now volleyball. I also told her that I was glad that I no longer had to game plan for her after tonight, but kidding aside she’s one of the more special athletes I’ve seen come through the Keys over the last eight or so years.”

Mandozzi explained that the magic in this year’s team goes beyond talent and skill. He placed a great deal of their success on the intangibles, such as the heart and hustle of

1. Coral Shores shakes hands with Key West after the game.

2. Niveah Howard sets the ball over the net.

3. Reese Haggard sets the ball for Tess Wright to hit.

4. The Conchs' student section celebrates the win.

5. Sunisa Kuhn passes the ball.

6. Deandra Valverde sets the ball over the net.

Photos by MAICEY MALGRAT/

Though the Marathon Dolphins carry a 3-14 record at press time, the strength of their opponents leaves them ranked second in their division ahead of postseason play.

BARRY GAUKEL/ Keys Weekly

Sofia Jans, Lily Hitchcock and Grace Leffler. Jans led the team in digs against Marathon with 16, and Mandozzi also lauded her serving, which he described as “lights out.”

Leffler had promised her coach a big game that night, and “she definitely delivered,” said Mandozzi. “She was second in hit percentage for us and added a couple of big blocks and Lily (Hitchcock) had some thunderous hits tonight, leading us with a .316 hit percentage and 7 kills.”

The following night, Coral Shores hosted South Homestead in a battle of Hurricanes. Coral Shores was 10-0, while South Homestead was 10-1, with their only loss coming from Coral Shores the week prior. In the preseason it was South Homestead who came out with the W. Despite entering the match with the upper hand, Mandozzi knew the danger of complacency.

“I told our girls that the weight of a long win streak like we’re on can be a lot to carry. Sometimes it’s hard to keep that fire and intensity game in and game out that got us here, and I kept reminding them that we have to fight that and resist the urge to let our foot off the gas,” he said.

But Mandozzi had little to worry about; the Lady ‘Canes were all gas, no brakes against the other Hurricanes, and Coral Shores’ serving was again on-point. Five of the six starters had serve ratings over 2.0, and the Lady ‘Canes collectively had 13 aces in the match. Once the ball was in play, Celene Walker made sure it landed across the net, racking up 10 kills. Leffler and Niveah Howard added 4 apiece. Shelby Lynn was credited with 15 assists while Ivy Tiedemann added 7 to the team effort.

After their loss to the Hurricanes, the Lady Fins dropped one more to Westwood Christian last week. But they were successful at home against Archimedean on Oct. 4, picking up their third win of the season. Once they play their rubber match against Basilica on Oct. 10, the Lady Fins will head to Moore Haven for the District 8 Rural tournament on Oct. 18. Marathon, despite its 3-14 record, is ranked second in their district due to the difficulty of their schedule. The Fins hope to make a run in the postseason in their first year participating in the Rural classification, which was created for small schools in areas with light population density so that they have competition from similar opponents.

The Lady Conchs picked up two wins last week, including the in-county title bout against Coral Shores and another win against neighboring Basilica School, despite having to get creative with their lineup due to injuries. With Kuhn and Journey Lamb both out, Savannah Ventimiglia put on the libero jersey for the match, stepping up with a dozen digs. Smith registered 12 kills, 3 aces and a pair of blocks while Garcia had 10 kills, 2 aces and 16 digs. Haggard was perfect in serving, on-target with all 22 attempts with 4 aces and 14 assists. Molly McKnight added another dozen assists to make the win a team effort as Key West rolls into their final two regular-season matches of the season. They will begin their district tournament Oct. 14.

After a loss to Key West, Basilica lost at Cushman the following afternoon. The Mariners finish their inaugural season on Oct. 10 at Marathon for a rematch against the Fins. In August, Basilica School beat the Fins at home, then lost to them at Key West in tournament action in September. The October winner will be decided at Marathon in the final match of the regular season for both teams. For the Mariners, it will be the last game of the season, as they do not participate in the FHSAA and are thereby ineligible for a district tournament.

’CANES CONQUER FINS IN BATTLE OF THE KEYS

Coral Shores leads Marathon 30-25 in all-time wins

Hurricanes coach Ed Holly promised the 55th Battle of the Keys would be intense and chippy but respectful, and his prediction was spot-on. In four quarters of gridiron action that left both teams exhausted with a physical, emotional matchup, it would be Holly’s Hurricanes who earned their 30th win in the series, but the Fins made them earn it the hard way.

Anyone fortunate enough to have attended the event saw firsthand the intensity both teams carried, and might be surprised to find out that anytime outside of the Battle of the Keys, both coaches are, as Holly described, respectful of one another and their respective teams. During football season, Holly and McDonald talk weekly, often giving one another some inside firsthand information on the teams they have already encountered and know the other will play soon. Both often compliment one another’s players, their system or a hard-earned win. But between the whistles, the rivalry is unmistakable.

Hurricane senior AJ Putetti was first to strike, quickly giving the ‘Canes a 6-0 lead off a short run. Marathon was quick to answer, though, and Fab Louis Jeune not only ran one in for six, he tacked on the extra point to give Marathon the lead. The first quarter ended quickly for a pair of teams who heavily favor the run game.

In quarter two, Coral Shores QB Yemcel Moreno kept one to himself, scoring on another short run. Not to be outdone, Louis Jeune repeated his first quarter performance, giving Marathon the 15-12 lead.

“Both number 2s really produced in a spirited contest,” Holly said, referencing Putetti and Louis Jeune. “They are some tough, gritty kids we have here in Monroe County.”

Putetti tacked on a 17-yard touchdown run to bring the ‘Canes into the lead, then scored again on a 67-yard punt return just before halftime, giving his team a cushion the

Coral Shores and Marathon square off in the 55th Battle of the Keys on Oct. 4. The Hurricanes came away with a 46-34 win. Photos by DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly. See more game photos at keysweekly.com

They must then get back on the win wagon against their final three opponents in order to make the FHSAA Rural playoffs. The Fins could face a road trip as far away as within a stone’s throw of the Alabama border depending on their ranking and how the brackets pan out.

Key West hosted the Cougars of Killian High School Oct. 4, winning in a display of offense at Tommy Roberts Memorial Stadium. In all, four Conchs crossed the goal line in the victory against what head coach Johnny Hughes described as “a very talented Killian team.” Jaden Fox, Jeff DeJean, Teak Guyet and Walson Morin all scored for Key West, with Morin making it a hat trick. Key West’s defense was unusually generous in the 42-29 win, as they have been notably stingy this season. That defense will need to get impervious again for week eight.

On Oct. 11, Key West hosts Miami Northwestern for a district matchup and a chance to propel themselves up the rankings. Northwestern is ranked first in the district and Hughes is not taking them lightly. He explained that from his research, Northwestern looks to be “as advertised. Athletic, big up front and with elite skill guys.”

To pull off an upset over Northwestern, Hughes knows his team will need to play at their best. “We can’t help them beat us. We can’t have turnovers,” he said. “We’ve got a challenge, no question about that.”

Fins could not overcome for the remainder of the game, though they certainly tried. In the second half, Putetti struck again on a 5-yard run that gave the ‘Canes a 32-14 lead. But in a rivalry game, teams do not simply tap out; Louis Jeune fought his way into the end zone to bring the Fins closer. Then Moreno connected with Jarmoris Davis to stretch the Hurricane lead again. Marathon’s Carlos Lezcano broke free to bring the Dolphins back within striking distance, 39-27, but Moreno closed the door on the win, carrying the ball in for a three-yard run as the clock ticked down, making the final score 46-34.

The dazzling display of offense alone was worth the price of admission, and both teams must now prepare for the remainder of their schedules, with battle number 56 on the backburner for a spell.

Coral Shores, which plays as an independent school and is therefore not eligible to play for a state title, will face a very important opponent on Oct. 11 as they battle Archbishop Carroll for the Florida Independent Football Conference title. Though there will be three weeks remaining in the regular season, The FIFC is determined by the teams’ records. Archbishop Carroll is leading the conference, and if they win in week eight, the Bulldogs will seal a third-consecutive championship regardless of the final three weeks. If Coral Shores can pull off the upset and defeat the Bulldogs, they will be in a three-way tie for the conference title. Marathon, on the other hand, will recuperate in week eight with a bye.

Though Hughes has a tough task with the Bulls, he has a bull of his own in Jaden Fox. “Fox exudes confidence,” he said. “He isn’t intimidated by anything and the other guys feed off of that.” Fox has, indeed, proven he can stack up the yards against the best of them, and if the Conchs can catch fire this Friday, they can even hope for a home playoff game in November against the rest of what FHSAA 3A has to offer.

Key West quarterback Teak Guyet reached pay dirt for a touchdown of his own in the Conchs’ 42-29 win last Friday. MAICEY MALGRAT/Keys Weekly

CONCHS CLOBBER HAWKS AT HOME

Key West sweeps wins in all but one race against Miami Springs team

Key West hosted the Golden Hawks of MIami Springs on Oct. 2 at the College of the Florida Keys pool. The boys team enjoyed a decisive 126-32 victory and the Lady Conchs won 123-16.

The boys 200 medley relay team of Eli Morris, Kieran Smith, Matthew Robertson and Hugo Blinckmann took first place, as did the girls team of Mary Searcy, Camila Linares, Hadley Bardoni and Aly Camargo. Once the dust settled from the relay, the victorious members went on to win multiple individual events and participate in other winning relay teams throughout the afternoon.

Camargo won the 50 freestyle sprint event for the girls and Blinckmann touched the wall first in the boys race. Camargo also won the 100 freestyle race. Gonzalez was first in that event for the boys and added a win in the 200 freestyle as well.

Tessa Hughes won the girls 200 freestyle race, then went the distance in the 500 freestyle, winning that event, too. In the 200 individual medley, Bardoni was first for the Lady Conchs. Jackson Way won the 200 IM for the boys. Way also won the 200 butterfly race, with Molly Martinez winning for the girls

girls team.

Linares and Smith won the 100 breast-

Linares and Smith won the 100 breaststroke race for the girls and boys, respectively, and Charlotte Murray and Searcy won the 100 backstroke event.

The 200 freestyle relay teams also handled the Hawks with ease. The girls team of Reeghan Davis, Karis Dryer, Martinez and Camargo finished first for the Lady Conchs and Hugo Blinckmann, Max Blinckmann, Sebastian Camargo and Gonzalez won the boys relay.

The 400 freestyle relays repeated the pattern of Conch domination with Bardoni, Martinez, Hughes and Davis winning the girls race and Perez, Jason Frankel, Sebastian Camargo and Gonzalez winning for the boys.

the boys. they

The Conchs have a trio of home meets in the coming weeks. First, they face Barbara Goleman on Oct. 12 at the CFK pool on Stock Island, then host Doral on Oct. 17. They close out their regular season with an intrasquad senior showcase on Oct. 26 just prior to districts at the end of the month. Coral Shores is scheduled to host Carrollton on Oct. 11 at Founders Park for their final home meet of the regular season.

Top: Sprint specialist Aly Camargo dominated the 50 and 100 freestyle races along with multiple team relay wins on Oct. 2. MARK HEDDEN/Keys Weekly

Bottom: Key West’s Mary Searcy cruised her way to an individual win in the 100 backstroke on Oct. 2, along with a team win in the 200 medley relay. MARK HEDDEN/Keys Weekly

GOLFERS CHIP AWAY AT SEASON Twyman and Steling win at home

Keys prep golfers managed to get in plenty of play last week despite a Marathon match being canceled due to unplayable course conditions on Sept. 30.

On Oct. 2, all three teams met in Key West for nine holes. The Conchs had the collective low score of the day, scoring 191 to Coral Shores’ 198 and Marathon’s 227. Key West’s Geo Twyman had the top score with a 45. Preston Carroll of Coral Shores was two strokes behind in second. There was a two-way tie for third between Key West’s Andrew Bassett and Marathon’s Brett Clark, then a three-way tie for fifth between Conchs Mason Titensor and Brody Catena and Coral Shores’ Derek Ramos. Peyton Zubieta of Key West and Donovan Thiery and Brock Bynum of Coral Shores rounded out the top 10.

The Lady Conchs fared as well as the boys, with Claudia Steling winning by eight strokes. Steling shot a 48 with the help of a birdie on hole eight. Teammates Charlize Lopez and Lexi Finigan took second and third and Coral Shores’ Gabby Thomas claimed fourth. The Lady Conchs’ Monica Bueno was sixth, Marathon’s Justice Lee Isom and Makenna Haines tied for sixth place, and Breanna Santana of Key West and Sasha Gadea Mayer of Coral Shores were eighth and ninth, respectively.

Marathon sent only their underclassmen to Key West on Oct. 2, holding a practice match for their upperclassmen at home. Leo Mendez birdied on hole seven, shooting a 40 to finish first. Mason Thornton was one stroke behind in second followed by Chase Leird, Roco Piscetello and Max Childress, who rounded out the top five at the Florida Keys Country Club.

On Oct. 3, the Conchs traveled to Shula’s Golf Club in Miami Lakes to take on Mater Lakes Academy. Key West dominated in both the boys and girls competitions. Andrew Bassett, Geo Twyman and Jackson Barroso shared the number one spot with all three athletes shooting a 41. Peyton Zubieta and Mason Titensor were fourth and fifth, making a clean sweep over the Bears.

The girls also fared well, with Claudia Steling shooting a 47 to finish second overall. Monica Bueno, Charlize Lopez, Lexi Finigan and Breanna Santana finished fourth through seventh in the competition.

While the Conchs were at Shula’s, the Lady ‘Canes played nine in Coral Gables at Granada Country Club. In a very competitive field of four teams, Hurricane Gabby Thomas played a good round with a birdie on hole four and a 48 on the afternoon. Gadea Mayer and Amber Ender also competed for Coral Shores at Westminster’s home course.

Golfers have matches scheduled this week and next then will focus on the postseason. Monroe County’s teams will play in their district tournaments on Oct. 29 with the hopes of making it through to regionals the following week. Key West competes in the 2A classification at Palmetto while 1A Marathon’s and Coral Shores’ girls will be at Normandy Shores and the boys at Redlands Golf Course.

Key West’s Geo Twyman had the top score on his home course on Oct. 2m shooting a 45.

KEYS WEEKLY FILE

PHOTO

NOTICE OF ELECTION

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2024, IN MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT AN ELECTION HAS BEEN CALLED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA AT THE REQUEST OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA FROM 7:00 A.M. UNTIL 7:00 P.M. ON TUESDAY, THE FIFTH DAY NOVEMBER, 2024, AT WHICH TIME THERE SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO THE DULY QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA THE FOLLOWING QUESTION:

RENEWAL OF OPERATIONAL FUNDING FOR MONROE COUNTY SCHOOLS:

The School District seeks to continue its current funding for operational expenses including teacher salaries and safe-school officers. Such funds will be shared with local charter schools proportionally based on their full-time student enrollment.

Shall the District continue to enact a yearly ad valorem tax of no more than 0.5625 mill, for four (4) years beginning January 1, 2027, to fund safe-school officers and operational expenses of Monroe County Schools? ______ YES ______ NO

September 26, October 3, 10 & 17, 2024. The Weekly Newspapers.

AVISO DE PLEBISCITO

MARTES, 5 DE NOVIEMBRE DE 2024, EN EL CONDADO DE MONROE, FLORIDA

POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA QUE LA JUNTA DE COMISIONADOS DEL CONDADO DE MONROE, FLORIDA, HA CONVOCADO A UN PLEBISCITO A SOLICITUD DE LA JUNTA ESCOLAR DEL CONDADO DE MONROE, FLORIDA, EL CUAL SE CELEBRARÁ DESDE LAS 7:00 A. M. HASTA LAS 7:00 P. M. DEL MARTES 5 DE NOVIEMBRE DE 2024, EN CUYO MOMENTO SE PRESENTARÁ A LOS ELECTORES DEBIDAMENTE CALIFICADOS DEL CONDADO DE MONROE, FLORIDA, LA SIGUIENTE PREGUNTA:

REFINANCIAMIENTO OPERATIVO PARA LAS ESCUELAS DEL CONDADO DE MONROE:

El distrito escolar busca continuar con el financiamiento actual para los gastos operativos, incluidos los salarios de los docentes y de los funcionarios de seguridad escolar. Los fondos se compartirán con las escuelas subsidiadas locales proporcionalmente en función del número de estudiantes matriculados a tiempo completo.

¿Deberá el distrito continuar promulgando un impuesto anual ad valorem de no más de 0.5625 mill, por cuatro (4) años a partir del 1 de enero de 2027, para financiar a los funcionarios de seguridad escolar y los gastos operativos de las escuelas del condado de Monroe?

NOTICE OF ELECTION

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2024, IN MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT AN ELECTION HAS BEEN CALLED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA AT THE REQUEST OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA FROM 7:00 A.M. UNTIL 7:00 P.M. ON TUESDAY, THE FIFTH DAY NOVEMBER, 2024, AT WHICH TIME THERE SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO THE DULY QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA THE FOLLOWING QUESTION:

FACILITATING SCHOOL DISTRICT CAPITAL PROJECTS THROUGH SALES TAX LEVY RATHER THAN RAISING LOCAL PROPERTY TAXES:

Renewed funding is required for the School District's capital improvement plan such as new construction, renovations, additions, security needs, technology implementation, school buses, and permitted capital improvements. The revenues collected must be shared with eligible charter schools based on their proportionate share of the total school district enrollment.

Shall the School Board of Monroe County, Florida continue to levy a one-half cent sales surtax for a period of ten (10) years beginning January 1, 2026?

______ FOR THE ONE-HALF CENT TAX

______ AGAINST THE ONE-HALF CENT TAX

September 26, October 3, 10 & 17, 2024. The Weekly Newspapers.

AVISO DE PLEBISCITO

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2024, IN MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA QUE LA JUNTA DE COMISIONADOS DEL CONDADO DE MONROE, FLORIDA, HA CONVOCADO A UN PLEBISCITO A SOLICITUD DE LA JUNTA ESCOLAR DEL CONDADO DE MONROE, FLORIDA, EL CUAL SE CELEBRARÁ DESDE LAS 7:00 A. M. HASTA LAS 7:00 P. M. DEL MARTES 5 DE NOVIEMBRE DE 2024, EN CUYO MOMENTO SE PRESENTARÁ A LOS ELECTORES DEBIDAMENTE CALIFICADOS DEL CONDADO DE MONROE, FLORIDA, LA SIGUIENTE PREGUNTA: FACILITAR LOS PROYECTOS DE CAPITAL DE LOS DISTRITOS ESCOLARES MEDIANTE LA RECAUDACIÓN DE IMPUESTOS A LAS VENTAS EN LUGAR DE AUMENTAR LOS IMPUESTOS LOCALES DE DERECHO INMOBILIARIO:

Se requiere refinanciamiento para el plan de mejoras de capital en el distrito escolar, el cual abarca construcciones, renovaciones, ampliaciones, seguridad, tecnología, autobuses escolares y mejoras permitidas de capital. Los ingresos recaudados deberán compartirse con las escuelas subsidiadas que califiquen en función de su participación proporcional de la matrícula total del distrito escolar.

¿Debe la Junta Escolar del condado de Monroe, Florida, continuar recaudando un impuesto a las ventas de medio céntimo por un período de diez (10) años, contados a partir del 1 de enero de 2026? ______ A FAVOR DEL IMPUESTO DE MEDIO CÉNTIMO ______ EN CONTRA DEL IMPUESTO DE MEDIO CÉNTIMO

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 Board of Directors Meeting Thursday, Oct 10, 2024 at 4:00 PM Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 834 4619 1827 Passcode: 765780 Art in Public Places Committee Meeting Tuesday, Oct 15, 2024 at 4:00 PM Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 879 4599 0168 Passcode: 311033 Membership & Development Committee Meeting Thursday, Oct 24, 2024 at 10:30 AM Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 897 2728 0769 Passcode: 381772

Publish: October 10, 2024 The Weekly Newspapers

September 26, October 3, 10 & 17, 2024. The Weekly Newspapers.

September 26, October 3, 10 & 17, 2024. The Weekly Newspapers.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF COUNTY RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING RENAMING OF COUNTY ROAD NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN that on October 16, 2024, at 9:00 A.M., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, at the Marathon Government Center, 2798 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Florida, the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida, intends to consider approval of the following Monroe County Resolution: A RESOLUTION BY THE MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AUTHORIZING THE RENAMING OF A PORTION OF CORAL DRIVE IN THE SUBDIVISION OF BAY POINT TRAILER PARK PLAT BOOK 4 PAGE 9 IN SADDLEBUNCH KEYS AND DIRECTING STAFF TO ERECT SIGNAGE TO REFLECT THE RENAMING OF THE PORTION OF THE ROAD TO BEACH DRIVE. The proposed Resolution may be inspected by the public at the Monroe County website by viewing the agenda packet for the October 16, 2024 meeting, which will be posted beginning October 11, 2024 at: http://monroecountyfl.iqm2. com/citizens/default.aspx. The resolution may also be viewed at the Monroe County Attorney’s Office, at 1111 12th Street, Suite 408, Key West, FL 33040. The public can participate in the October 16, 2024 meeting of the Board of CommissionersCounty of Monroe County, FL by attending in person or via Zoom. The Zoom link can be found in the agenda at: http:// monroecountyfl.iqm2.com/ citizens/default.aspx. ADA ASSISTANCE: If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodations in order to participate in this proceeding, please contact the County Administrator’s Office, by phoning (305) 292-4441, between the hours of 8:30 a.m.—5:30 p.m., prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voice-impaired, call “711”. Live Closed-Captioning is available at our web portal at: http://monroecountyfl. iqm2.com/citizens/default. aspx, for meetings of the Monroe County Board of

County Commissioners.

Dated at Key West, Florida, this 5th day of October, 2024.

KEVIN MADOK, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Ex Officio Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida

Publish: October 10, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

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

has an opening for a LODGING INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVE – shall be owners or operating/general managers of motels, hotels, recreational vehicle parks, or other tourist accommodations which are subject to bed tax in the tax collection district for which they are applying. Any person wishing to participate on the District I Advisory Committee of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council within the district so noted above, may request an application by emailing sydney@fla-keys. com. Completed applications should be emailed to sydney@fla-keys.com or may be sent via U.S. mail to the address below: Department DAC Monroe County Tourist Development Council 1201 White Street, Suite 102 Key West, FL 33040 Deadline for receipt of application at the above address is 5:00 p.m. on Friday November 15, 2024. A resume may be attached to the application.

Publish: October 10, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

FISHING ADVISORY COMMITTEE (District I Representative) of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council has an opening for a District I Fishing Advisory Committee Representative (Encompasses the City Limits of Key West) Must reside full time in the Florida Keys and have a fishing related business or represent and have knowledge of fishing tournaments that utilize/ request funding from the specific bed tax district they are representing.

Any person wishing to participate on the Fishing Advisory Committee of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council within the district so noted above, may request an application by emailing sydney@fla-keys. com. Completed applications should be emailed to sydney@fla-keys.com or may be sent via U.S. mail to the address below: Department FAC Monroe County Tourist Development Council 1201 White Street, Suite 102 Key West, FL 33040 Deadline for receipt of application at the above email address is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 15, 2024. A resume may be attached to the application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to confirm the email was received.

Publish: October 4, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

FISHING ADVISORY COMMITTEE (District II Representative) of the MONROE COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

has an opening for a District II Fishing Advisory Committee Representative

(From the city limits of Key West to the west end of the Seven Mile Bridge) Must reside full time in the Florida Keys and have a fishing related business or represent and have knowledge of fishing tournaments that utilize/ request funding from the specific bed tax district they are representing. Any person wishing to participate on the Fishing Advisory Committee of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council within the district so noted above, may request an application by emailing sydney@fla-keys. com. Completed applications should be emailed to sydney@fla-keys.com or may be sent via U.S. mail to the address below:

Department FAC Monroe County Tourist Development Council 1201 White Street, Suite 102 Key West, FL 33040 Deadline for receipt of application at the above email address is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 15, 2024. A resume may be attached to the application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to confirm the email was received.

Publish: October 10, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

FISHING ADVISORY COMMITTEE (District V Representative) of the MONROE COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL has an opening for a District V Fishing Advisory Committee Representative (From Mile Marker 90.940 to the Dade/Monroe County Line and any Mainland portions of Monroe County) Must reside full time in the Florida Keys and have a fishing related business or represent and have knowledge of fishing tournaments that utilize/ request funding from the specific bed tax district they are representing. Any person wishing to participate on the Fishing Advisory Committee of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council within the district so noted above, may request an application by emailing sydney@fla-keys. com. Completed applications should be emailed to sydney@fla-keys.com or may be sent via U.S. mail to the address below: Department FAC Monroe County Tourist Development Council 1201 White Street, Suite 102 Key West, FL 33040 Deadline for receipt of application at the above email address is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 15, 2024. A resume may be attached to the application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to confirm the email was received.

Publish: October 10, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION REF NO. 24-CP-000474-K IN RE: ESTATE OF JAMES R. ENSMINGER, DECEASED.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The name of the decedent, the designation of the court in which the administration of this estate is pending, and the file number are indicated above. The address of the court is Monroe County Courthouse, 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040. The name and address of the ancillary personal representative and the ancillary personal

representative’s attorney are indicated below. If you have been served with a copy of this notice and you have any claim or demand against the decedent’s estate, even if that claim is unmatured, contingent or unliquidated, you must file your claim with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF A DATE THAT IS 3 MONTHS AFTER THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER YOU RECEIVE A COPY OF THIS NOTICE.

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with the court ON OR BEFORE THE DATE THAT IS 3 MONTHS AFTER THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. EVEN IF A CLAIM IS NOT BARRED BY THE LIMITATIONS DESCRIBED ABOVE, ALL CLAIMS WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN FILED WILL BE BARRED TWO YEARS AFTER DECEDENT'S DEATH.

The date of death of the decedent is January 13, 2024.

The date of first publication of this notice is October 10, 2024.

Ancillary Personal Representative: ANDREW MARAZZOENSMINGER

256 Wilcox St. Wilson, NY 14172

Attorney for Ancillary Personal Representative: TERRY J. DEEB, ESQ. DEEB ELDER LAW, P.A. 6699 13th Avenue North, Suite 4B St. Petersburg, FL 33710

E-Mail: servicejcj@ deebelderlaw.com

E-Mail: servicekat@ deebelderlaw.com

E-Mail: servicedck@ deebelderlaw.com

FL Bar No. 997791

Publish: October 10 & 17, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 24-CP-484-M

DIVISION: MIDDLE KEYS IN RE: ESTATE OF PATRICIA D. SCHMITT aka DELORES PATRICIA SCHMITT, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of Patricia D. Schmitt aka Delores Patricia Schmitt, deceased, whose date of death was August 9, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for MONROE County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 3117 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Florida 33050. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent's death by the decedent or the decedent's surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216-732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or

may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

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

The date of first publication of this notice is: October 10, 2024.

Personal Representative: Bruce A. Schmitt 11100 Overseas Highway Marathon, Florida 33050

Attorney for Personal Representative: Richard E. Warner

Attorney Florida Bar Number: 283134

RICHARD E. WARNER, P.A. 12221 Overseas Highway MARATHON, FL 33050

Telephone: (305) 743-6022

Fax: (305) 743-6216

E-mail: richard@rewarnerlaw. com

Secondary E-Mail: pamela2@ rewarnerlaw.com

Publish:

October 10 & 17, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

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

PROBATE DIVISION

CASE NO.: 24-CP-442-K

IN RE: THE ESTATE OF KATHLEEN S. SNAVELY, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of KATHLEEN S. SNAVELY, deceased, whose date of death was June 15, 2024, Case: 24-CP-442-K, is pending in the Circuit Court, 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, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, on whom a copy of this notice is served must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE 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, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. The date of first publication of this Notice is: October 10, 2024.

Personal Representative: JAMES M. SHAVER

c/o Samuel J. Kaufman, Esq.

Law Offices of Samuel J. Kaufman, P.A.

3130 Northside Drive Key West, Florida 33040

Attorney for Personal Representative: Samuel J. Kaufman, Esq. Florida Bar No. 0144304

Law Offices of Samuel J. Kaufman, P.A.

3130 Northside Drive

Key West, Florida 33040

Email designation for service: Service.Probate@ samkaufmanlaw.com

Telephone: (305) 292-3926

Fax: (305) 295-7947

Publish:

October 10 & 17, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION

FILE NO. 24-CP-000074-K IN RE: ESTATE OF RONALD W. HABYL, DECEASED.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of RONALD W. HABYL, deceased, whose date of death was December 28, 2023, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent's death by the decedent or the decedent's surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216-732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate must file their claims with this Court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

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

The date of first publication of this notice is October 10, 2024.

Personal Representative: Darren Habyl 27913 Rexford Road Bay Village, Ohio 44140

Attorney for Personal Representative: Chad E. Brocato, Sr., Esq. Florida Bar Number: 110730 Moiguer Brocato Law 110 SE 6th Street, 17th Floor Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301 Telephone: (954) 998-7914 Fax: (786) 800-9488 E-Mail: service@mylawyer. legal

Secondary E-Mail: chad@ mylawyer.legal

Publish: October 10 & 17, 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 22ND day of October, 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 THIRD MOTION TO CANCEL AND RESCHEDULE 9/20/24 FORECLOSURE SALE entered in a case pending in said Court, the 19th day of September 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 23RD day of September 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: October 3 & 10, 2024 The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 24-CP-452-M

DIVISION: MARATHON IN RE: ESTATE OF DAVID MICHAEL RILE Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of David Michael Rile, deceased, whose date of death was October 19, 2023, 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 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. 732.216732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s.

732.2211, Florida Statutes. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.

The date of first publication of this notice is: October 3, 2024. Personal Representative: Beatrice Rile 97 Coco Plum Drive Slip B28 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: October 3 & 10, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION CASE NO.: 24-CP-000364-P IN RE: ESTATE OF KAREN LEE BECKER

A/K/A KAREN L. BECKER, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of KAREN LEE BECKER AKA KAREN L. BECKER, (“Decedent”) deceased, whose date of death was December 9, 2023, and whose Social Security Number is XXX-XX-8954, 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 Petitioner and the Petitioner’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 WITHIN 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 SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIOD SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. A 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 FLORIDA STATUTE 732.216-732.228, APPLIES, OR MAY APPLY, UNLESS A WRITTEN DEMAND IS MADE BY A CREDITOR AS SPECIFIED UNDER SECTION 732.2211. The date of first publication of this notice is October 3, 2024. Petitioner:

OF AL NICOLETTI

7512 Dr. Phillips Blvd. Suite 50-647

Orlando, Florida 32819

Publish: October 3 & 10, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA DIVISION: PROBATE

FILE NO.: 2024-CP-446-K

IN RE: ESTATE OF JOHN WILSON, JR.

Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of John Wilson, Jr., deceased, whose date of death was June 30, 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 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 WITHIN 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 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 October 3, 2024. The date of the second publication of this notice is October 10, 2024.

Personal Representative: Donna L. Wilson 27382 Anguila Road Ramrod Key, FL 33042 Attorney for Personal Representative: Anthony J. Barrows Attorney for Personal Representative Florida Bar Number: 662569 WRIGHT BARROWS PLLC 9711 Overseas Highway Marathon, FL 33050 Telephone: (305) 743-8118 Fax: (305) 489-0307 E-mail: Tony@keysclosings.com Publish: October 3 & 10, 2024 The Weekly Newspapers

AUTOS WANTED

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

Place your CLASSIFIED AD HERE! $25.00/week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today.

FOR SALE: 2019 Walker Bay fiberglass RIB mod. 325ST LOA 11’ with 9.9 HP Yamaha. Located in Marathon. $3,995.00 970-901-1138

Place your CLASSIFIED AD HERE! $25.00/week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today.

COMMERCIAL SPACE

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 CLASSIFIED AD HERE! $25.00/week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today.

EMPLOYMENT

Hiring: Lead Gutter

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

Marathon Yacht Club is hiring part-time servers and bartenders. Private club, friendly atmosphere, guaranteed gratuities. Flexible lunch/dinner shifts available Tuesday – Sunday. Must provide photo ID, social security card or passport, and checking account. Call 305-743-6739 to schedule an interview or email office@ marathonyachtclub. com.

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.

Place your CLASSIFIED AD HERE! $25.00/week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today.

The Housing Authority of the City of Key West now hiring the following positions: Administrative Asst. to Executive Director, Resident Care Supervisor with min. 3 yrs. experience of an LPN, Housing Choice Voucher Asst., Maintenance Mechanic (Maintenance Worker. To apply, please contact Human Resources at: martinezm@kwha.org or 305-296-5621. Applications are available at the Administrative Office located at 1400 Kennedy Dr., Key West, FL 33040 or online at www. kwha.org - EOE & Drug Free Work Place. This opportunity is covered under Section 3 of the HUD Act of 1968.

HOBBIES/COLLECT PRIVATE COLLECTOR

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

The Harry Truman Little White House Museum is looking for OLD FISHING GEAR to be used as a display in the museum. Fishing gear MUST be donated. Please contact Dean at 305-294-8346 or email: Dean.Taylor@ HistoricTours.com

HOUSING FOR RENT

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

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. MM96 Key Largo. $1850/month. F/L/S 305-853-3779

Conch House - Studio for rent, newly furnished in Marathon. $960/ month + utilities. Dockage available for additional $. No Pets. 305-610-8002

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. RENTED!!

Heavy duty, hard wood Futon Bed for sale in Marathon. Excellent condition. Couch turns into double bed. $250.00 305-849-0975

RIKON Band Saw, $150.00. Located in Key West (Old Town). 305-849-1080 SOLD IN ONE WEEK!

Place your CLASSIFIED AD HERE! $25.00/week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today.

PERSONALS

BEACH HOUSE VACATION! Caretaker couple needed for Bahamas Beach House for 3-4 months. Call or text 305-439-9991

RV SITES FOR

RENT

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

Large RV Lots for Rent in Marathon. Full hook up. $1500/ month plus utilities. F/L/S 3065-731-5042

Place your CLASSIFIED AD HERE! $25.00/week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today.

VACATION RENTAL

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

YARD SALES

Place your CLASSIFIED AD HERE! $25.00/week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today.

MAINTENANCE PERSON

Starting pay rate for this position, depending on qualifications and experience: $31.22/hr. - $34.96/hr. For more information, including job duties and required qualifications, and to apply for the job, please visit our website at www.KeysEnergy.com. KEYS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. KEYS promotes a Drug-Free Workplace. Certain service members, veterans, the spouses and family members of service members and veterans, receive preference and priority in employment, and are encouraged to apply for positions being filled.

DUI EVALUATOR/ INSTRUCTOR

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

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

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

We provide Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment Programs to the Florida Keys community while valuing and rewarding our employees.

Peer Support Specialist

Case Manager (Adult, Child)

Substance Abuse Counselor Prevention Specialist (HIV)

MARATHON

Care Coordinator (PT)

Driver – PT (CDL not required)

Behavioral Health Therapist (Child)

RN/Licensed Practical Nurse (FT/PT)

Peer Support Specialist/BHT

*Behavioral Health Technicians

– 3 shifts (FT/PT)

*Support Worker (Assisted Living, FT)

Background and drug screen req. EEOC/DFWP COMPETITIVE PAY! EXCEPTIONAL BENEFITS!!!

Apply at guidancecarecenter.org

Search Employment/Portal/Location/zip

OPENINGS AVAILABLE

PHYSICIAN PRACTICE

OPENINGS

- Advanced Practice Provider (APRN/PA-C), Primary Care Marathon, $5k Bonus

- Medical Assistant 1, Upper Keys Internal Medicine, $5k Bonus

- Medical Assistant 2, General Surgery Tavernier, $5k Bonus

- Medical Assistant 2, Primary Care Marathon, $5k Bonus

- Physician Assistant 1-Surgical, Ortho, Tavernier, $5k Bonus

- Supervisor Physician Practice, Primary Care Marathon, $5k Bonus

TAVERNIER MARINERS

HOSPITAL

- Cook, Dietary

- Exercise Physiologist 1, Mariners Wellness Center

- Group Exercise Instructor, Mariners Wellness Center

- MC Multi-Modality Imaging Tech 1, (General & Vascular Sonography) Ultrasound, $50k Bonus

- Mechanic 3, Facility Operations

- Nuclear Medicine Tech 2, Imaging

- RRT3, Respiratory Therapy

- Radiology Technologist 1, Imaging-MRI, $40k Bonus

- Registered Nurse, Emergency Department

MARATHON FISHERMEN’S COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

- ED Team Coordinator 1, Emergency Department

- Experience Advisor, Patient Experience

- Lead Medical Technologist, Laboratory, $50k Bonus

- MC Multi-Modality Imaging Tech 1, (CT & X Ray) Radiology, $50k Bonus

- Medical Technologist 2, Laboratory, $50k Bonus

- Patient Scheduler 3, Radiology-Diagnostic

- Radiology Technologist 1, Radiology, $40k Bonus

- Registered Nurse, Multispecialty Acute Care Center

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

- Security Officer 1, Security/Safety

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

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

Position requires a min. of high school completion, and 1 yr. exp. Must be knowledgeable in tropical plants and have good social/business skills, above average computer skills (knowledge of POS a plus). Must be able to lift at least 50 pounds.

Also required for this position: Fluent in English language, speaking and writing, proficiency is a must. Level 2 background screening and valid Florida driver’s license. EOE

Come join our family!

www.marchouse.org.

DOCKHANDS

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

Whether you’re building a large commercial building, FDOT bridge, or a customdesigned home, we have concrete mix designs for every project. Thanks to decades of experience, our team can create custom mixes with high-quality additives for specific project needs. We offer the largest variety of materials and operate the only FDOT-certified ready-mix plants in the Florida Keys. Call us for all ready-mix concrete, block, aggregate, rebar and bagged good needs.