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According to NASA, a hurricane can expend as much energy as 10,000 nuclear bombs during its life cycle.
NEW ARTIFICIAL REEFS ARE ON THE WAY FOR THE FLORIDA KEYS
Director details master plan to Sanctuary Advisory Council
ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com
The Florida Keys are on the doorstep of the first in a new series of state-funded artificial reefs, according to a presentation from county Artificial Reefs Program Director Hanna Koch to the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council on Oct. 15.
As expected, the project is set to use 37 decommissioned concrete power poles donated by the Florida Keys Electric Co-op in the summer of 2023, along with an additional eight poles acquired by the Monroe County Land Steward, deployed to three unique areas as clusters of nine patch reefs in 40 feet of water.
Referred to as the gulfside 10 Mile Reef for its location 10 miles offshore from the Lower Keys, the new sites are designed as the first in a proposed Gulfside Network, with sites between 5 and 15 miles offshore in 40 to 60 feet of water outside the current FKNMS boundary. The poles will be stacked in different configurations to create different sizes of structures with varying vertical relief from the sea floor, with additional structures added over time to increase habitat diversity.
The placement will mark the first artificial reef installation in the Keys since the 2009 sinking of the Vandenberg wreck off Key West.
“There’s not much there, and the only time we really see any density of life is if there’s a derelict trap,” Koch said, reiterating her end goal of providing a network of structures in both the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. “The purpose of the network is to provide complex, diverse quality habitat for a number of species, as well as potentially waypoints for fish migrating from near to offshore.”
Koch’s presentation came the day before an expected vote by the Monroe County BOCC to approve a $440,000 contract with Biscayne Towing & Salvage Inc. to deploy the power poles. Koch said she received her first federal permits for 10 Mile Reef in recent weeks and hopes to complete the first deployment before the end of 2024.
The new program is funded by a $15 million state grant that runs through 2029. But comprehensive, long-term monitoring of the outcomes of all new
In a defensive battle under Friday night lights, Miles Murphy and the Marathon Middle School Dolphins put the clamps on their Upper Keys rivals, defeating Key Largo School 16-6. See page 18. DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly
1. Decommissioned concrete power poles donated by the Florida Keys Electric Co-op will form the basis of the first artificial reef deployed in Monroe County since 2009. CONTRIBUTED
2. Monroe County Artificial Reefs Program Director Hanna Koch addresses the Sanctuary Advisory Council on Oct. 15. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly
structures, Koch said, could be possible through an FWC partnership funded by a NOAA RESTORE grant, used to support regional necessities for research, observation and monitoring in the Gulf of Mexico. Funding for the grant will be announced in June 2025, she said.
The locations of the 10 Mile Reef sites are expected to be publicly released, Koch said, in an effort to help alleviate fishing and diving pressures on other stressed sites, further dispersing traffic among the numerous new artificial reefs. Her plan is eventually to add additional unpublished sites to serve as nursery grounds for species’ early life stages, she told the council.
A second set of projects, referred to as the Deep Beyond Reefs, will eventually deploy struc-
“You have to be diligent about taking care of yourself. I needed a path, I needed to be proactive and preventive instead of reactive. A timely mammogram and genetic testing from Baptist Health Cancer Care saved my life, and it could save yours too.”
— Carla, Breast Cancer Survivor
Learn more about our cancer services:
DUSTIN HUFF WITHDRAWS FROM MARATHON CITY COUNCIL RACE
Former candidate cites family medical issues, endorses Del Gaizo
Former Marathon City Council candidate Dustin Huff, right, officially announces his withdrawal from the race, endorsing Jody ‘Lynny’ Del Gaizo at the latter’s campaign event on Oct. 11. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly
ALEX RICKERT
alex@keysweekly.com
The 2024 Marathon City Council race will now come down to four candidates, as longtime local Dustin Huff withdrew from the race last week.
“It is with a heavy heart that I have come to this decision,” Huff said by phone on Oct. 9, citing escalating medical concerns within his family as the primary reason for his withdrawal.
“My family comes first, and right now they need to be my focus,” he said. “As I’ve realized over the last few days that I will need to commit much more time to them, I know that if elected, I would not be able to devote the time to this city that it deserves. I love Marathon too much to do that.”
Huff said he had contacted his most pivotal supporters, who had contributed $18,350 to his campaign by the date of his withdrawal, according to Supervisor of Elections Joyce Griffin’s website. The figure was the highest total among the five candidates at that time.
“Once I told them why I was withdrawing, they had nothing but support, and fully agreed with my decision,” he said.
His campaign expenditures totaled $5,324 at press time, according to Griffin’s website. Huff said he was still exploring legal options for use of the remaining money.
Candidates remaining in the race include incumbent Kenny Matlock, Lynny Del Gaizo, Mark Senmartin and Ray Wood, who shared the dais with Huff on Oct. 7 for a candidate forum addressing Marathon’s most pressing issues.
Closely linked to Matlock’s campaign through advertising and shared events, Huff also appeared at a meetand-greet for Del Gaizo on Oct. 11 at the Marathon Yacht Club, endorsing the latter to those in attendance.
“It kills me to have to step away, because I care so much about this,” he told the Weekly. “But I trust Lynny –she’s been here forever and I know she cares the same way I do.”
Griffin confirmed to the Weekly that ballots already submitted with a vote for Huff through early voting or mail-in ballots may not be re-cast, but that the remainder of the selections on each submitted ballot would remain valid, including votes for any other Marathon City Council candidate. Florida election laws would prohibit Griffin from allowing those who already voted for Huff to change their votes in light of his withdrawal, she added, as a ballot is considered cast at the moment she receives it.
In light of Huff’s withdrawal, Griffin published a notice that will appear in Marathon’s polling places through the conclusion of the general election. According to the notice, though his name will remain on the ballot, votes for Huff will not be counted.
from page 4
tures outside the FKNMS boundary in roughly 300 feet of water at oceanside sites off Marathon, Islamorada and Key West, though these projects are in the early stages of site selection.
“These sites would provide fish habitat, possibly spawning aggregations because they are deep, and this is where we could really take advantage of creating high vertical relief habitat to support that type of fish behavior,” Koch said.
A third vein of projects, including habitat support structures deployed to nearshore waters, would be the only project group to be placed within the boundaries of the FKNMS. The pilot program will identify areas lacking in specific quality habitats, as well as structures that could fill the gaps in the ecosystem. A prime example, Koch said, is the flattening of offshore coral reefs, where branching species such as elkhorn and staghorn coral previously provided dimensionality and space for organisms living between their branches.
“The base of that habitat is still there, but the quality of it has been compromised,” she said. “The next step is to design, deploy and test habitat support structures that functionally mimic or enhance the physical and biological components that historically provided structural complexity and habitat variety.”
Within each of five identified “habitat deficit areas,” a working group will experiment with different material types – ranging from limestone boulders to hand-made concrete forms and blocks – structures, sizes, styles and scales. Some projects would include a biological restoration component such as corals or sponges, she said.
Questioned on whether the new gulfside sites could function as dive attractions to reduce interactions between novice divers and heavily-trafficked natural reefs, Koch also spoke of the potential for installation of additional dive training reefs, though she admitted the idea was still in very early stages.
“This is actually (FKNMS Superintendent) Sarah (Fangman)’s idea, and I’ve been thinking through how to make this work,” Koch said, adding that the training reefs could potentially pursue capital funding grants offered through the Tourist Development Council. “We could use some more innovative technology, like 3D concrete printing, to create more designs that are still ecologically relevant, but maybe a little more artistic. I’m not necessarily a fan of putting down statues or something that isn’t going to be quality marine habitat for organisms.
“I want it to be functional, but I also want it to be interesting and something they won’t see on natural reefs, so it would actually inspire (divers) to go to these sites where they would see something new. You could use that for education and awareness.”
3. The upcoming 10 Mile Reef will be the first in a series of sites known as the Gulfside Network, with structures deployed between five and 15 miles offshore in 40 to 60 feet of water.
4. Working groups will experiment with a number of different types of structures to provide additional habitat in already-identified deficient areas.
In a series of headlines that would be a lot funnier if they weren’t so crazy, Florida Keys coral biologist Kevin Macaulay this week found himself defending online allegations that an Alaskan space lab “activated” fixtures in an Upper Keys coral nursery to control the weather.
“This certainly falls into the ever-growing category of things I never thought I’d have to talk about as a marine biologist,” Macaulay told WLRN South Florida in an interview. At press time, the video espousing the ludicrous notion had been viewed 1.7 million times on X.
In honor of our favorite new government conspiracy theory, here are our…
10. The number of licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop.
9. Furbies.
8. Fred the Tree.
7. Killer whales. All of them.
6. The price of lap dances at your local strip joint.
5. Rainbows. Especially double rainbows.
THINGS YOU NEVER KNEW WERE CONTROLLED BY THE GOVERNMENT
4. The amount of conch in those conch fritters.
3. Your fantasy football league.
2. Access to your “secret” fishing spot.
1. A delicate balance between liberal and conservative ideologies that shapes the everyday lives of Americans.
LOCAL SCHOOL REFERENDUMS ARE IMPORTANT
Keys ballot questions represent no new taxes
FRANK DERFLER www.keysweekly.com
Two school referendum items on the back of all Florida Keys ballots may have dry formal wording, but school officials say they translate to the lives and success of local teachers and children.
“The two school funding referendums are the least controversial items on the November ballot, but they will have the greatest impact on our local communities,” said school board chair Sue Woltanski. “Together, they simply ask to continue our current school funding, something our community has approved for the last 20 years.“
The ballot items use the words “ad valorem tax” and “sales surtax,” and Superintendent Theresa Axford recognizes these can be emotionally loaded words. In an Oct. 12 radio interview, Axford said, “It’s important to get the word out that it is not a new tax. These things have been in place for at least 20 years and probably longer than that. But the half mill is used for teachers’ salaries and having a school resource officer in every school. That’s the most important thing for parents. They want good, qualified staff working with their students and they want their students to be safe. This half mill, if it didn’t pass, would cost each teacher $20,000 of their salary. So we’re working at trying to keep teachers’ salaries up where they can live here and be successful.”
School board member John Dick recently said the funding also covers the cost difference for police officers and deputies in every school.
“The cost of the school resource officers provided by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and the Key West Police totals $2.8 million,” Dick said. “The state provided us with $1 million, so additional funds need to come from within the county.”
Axford said the half-cent sales tax really is a sales tax that does not show up on property tax bills. Research shows that tourists pay
The two school board referendum items appear on the back of all Florida Keys ballots. School and community leaders ask voters to support the two initiatives. They stress that these are not new taxes, but the continuance of school funding that has been in place for at least 20 years in this county. CONTRIBUTED
about 60% of that sales tax revenue. “The half cent is for all our capital projects. We have a lineup of capital, or construction, projects and we just would not be able to get to them without that funding. I think our community, once they hear this message, and they know that they want to keep our schools functioning at the high level they are, they’re going to be able to understand how they should vote.”
Monroe County Mayor Holly Raschein voiced her support for both school tax referendums.
“We have incredible schools in Monroe County, some of the best in the state,” she said. “The two ballot initiatives are not new taxes, they are renewals of critical funds that are necessary to keep high quality teachers and schools. I’m proud to support them, and I hope you do, too.”
Anyone who chose to receive a vote-by-mail ballot should have received the big yellow envelope. Vote-by-mail ballots for the Nov. 5 election went to the post office on Sept. 27. Sample ballots for each area of the Keys are available at keyselections.org under a tab called Sample Ballot List.
The local school referendums “might be on the back of the ballot, but they should be in front of your mind, “ Woltanski said.
• Ron is the only candidate who has worked for the Monroe County Supervisor of Elections office, assisting with early voting and vote-by-mail, and working at polls on Election Day.
• Ron is an attorney who understands and will follow election laws. As our State Legislator, Ron helped write those election laws.
• Former News Anchor for U.S. 1 Radio.
A voice for the Locals
Jody
"Lynny" Del Gaizo
FOR MARATHON CITY COUNCIL "Lynny"
• As President of the Marathon and Lower Keys Association of Realtors, I encourage my peers to provide long term rentals for our locals. My work with local charities and passion for assisting first time home buyers led to my endorsement by MLKAR.
• I have owned affordable rentals for full time locals for over 30 years
• I have worked and owned multiple businesses with my family
• We need a long term infrastructure plan.
• We need to achieve a better balance of residents and tourists
• We need to focus on keeping and growing our long time small resident businesses
• We need to support and strengthen full time residents and workforce housing I pledge to continue working with these goals in mind. With your VOTE we can do this Together!
Paid by Ron Saunders, Democrat for Supervisor of Elections
LET’S CELEBRATE!
ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com
THEIR VISION, IN THEIR WORDS
Marathon City Council candidates talk building allocations
Each week, in an effort to provide greater familiarity and communication between the four Marathon City Council candidates and our readers, the Marathon Weekly will print candidates’ answers to a series of questions in editions leading up to the Nov. 5 election. With councilman Luis Gonzalez terming out and councilman Kenny Matlock’s term expiring, the council will see at least one new face, as Matlock is seeking re-election. Former candidate Dustin Huff announced his withdrawal from the council race last week.
This week: The conclusion of the 2025 Florida state legislative session may come with additional building allocations bestowed to the Keys. Are you in favor of Marathon accepting additional building rights? If so, how would you like to see them divided between different classifications (marketrate, affordable, owner-occupied, etc.) and why?
KENNY MATLOCK
I am ok with accepting building rights, but we need to be more responsible in delegating them and in a more responsible timeframe. Given the overdevelopment of Marathon and the Keys, we need to do everything in our power to give every right we can to owner occupied. Owner occupied rights require the property to be deed restricted, which incentivizes home ownership and discourages vacation rentals and large housing developments. We can do this by changing how we allocate points in the BPAS system. I think we should be giving one market rate building right for every 10 owner occupied rights. Affordable units should be used in single family homes or duplexes, not massive developments. This town has been sold out long enough to large developers and it’s time to turn the tide for families wanting to make Marathon their home and raise a family here.
Not only would I be in favor of accepting additional building rights, I would fight for as many as we could get. This is not an issue about development, or over development, or any other campaign buzzword you keep hearing. This is about control. If we have the rights we control the growth. We control the takings cases. We control the future of Marathon. Without them, we are at the mercy of the state and face a huge financial tax responsibility for our residents. As for the classification, homeownership would be the best route, but there are only two people on the list applying for home ownership allocations. What I would like, is to determine the best use at the time of issuing them. Things are different here than they were 5 years ago, 10 years ago. Adaptability will be key to our success.
We NEED to give SERIOUS thought as well as listen to our citizens and do a complete inventory on how many home ownership, vacation rentals, market rate homes, gov't affordable homes, gov't subsidized, tax credit units, workforce ect., we currently have, which will take work, and then prioritize future allocations for Marathon. The purpose of ROGO over the last 30 years was to slow down future growth and to keep the uniqueness of our Island living! What is the impact on our roads, bridges, electric, water and sewars (aka infrastructure) and most importantly our environment? These are a major concern before we can move forward for the future of our city! Home ownership would be my preference and to streamline the permit process reducing the impact or most important to balance our community over major development. The citizens should have a say in this since it affects our Island lifestyle!
A full recording of the Keys Weekly and Marathon Chamber of Commerce’s local candidate forum on Oct. 7 is available by scanning the QR code. The forum features candidates for County Commission District 3, supervisor of elections and Marathon City Council.
RAY WOOD
Yes, I would take all the building rights we can get. We do not need to use them all at once or even right away. In the past the city normally divided the percentages 33%, 33%, and 34%. It may be premature to decide how to divide them up this early, however, at this time, I would like to see percentages more like, 60% Work Force housing and Market Rate, to insure strong labor force housing and attrack outside labor. I would use 30 % for Owner Occupied, obviously for home ownership and property taxes and long term residence. The remaining 10% for Affordable Housing for the work force to move from work force housing into affordable as needed.
MARK SENMARTIN
JODY “LYNNY” DEL GAIZO
RACE WILL DECIDE WHO REPRESENTS FLORIDA IN THE SENATE
Republican incumbent faces Democratic challenger
The incumbent Republican, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, is seeking another term to represent Florida in the U.S. Senate. He faces a formidable challenger in the November general election against the former Democratic U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell.
RICK SCOTT
What do you believe is the biggest threat facing Congress and the federal government at the moment?
Washington is completely dysfunctional. The country is nearly $35 trillion in debt, and reckless government spending has caused out-of-control inflation that’s crushing Florida families. The federal government is spending 76% of Americans’ hard-earned tax dollars on interest payments on our debt. This is unacceptable. American families and businesses have to balance their budgets every month, so the federal government should do the same thing. We turned our economy around and paid down state debt while I was Governor, and I’m fighting every day to rein in Washington’s wasteful spending and stop efforts by Washington elites to raise taxes, costs, and government regulations on the American people.
With unprecedented migrant events in recent years, many Keys residents are unsure about what happens to those who reach our shores. What can you do to ensure transparency about current procedures and the reality for those who cross our borders?
With Joe Biden and his “Border Czar” Kamala Harris at the helm, we have seen an unprecedented crisis at the border. Millions of illegal immigrants, deadly drugs, terrorists and criminals continue to flood our southern border while the Biden-Harris administration does nothing. No new laws have to be passed for Biden-Harris to secure the border, they could do it today but are purposely refusing to do so. That’s why I signed on to a resolution denouncing the Biden administration’s open border policies and calling on them to immediately enforce the law.
I support immigration, but it has to be legal immigration. I’m fighting for accountability and transparency on the waste, fraud and abuse we’ve seen at the southern border. I also introduced a bill to address reports of unaccompanied migrant children being released to unvetted sponsors. We must start enforcing our laws and encouraging migrants to come here legally.
What is your plan to ensure federal funding (please include any specific grants or federal programs) for pressing infrastructure needs in the Keys as our islands combat aging bridges, sea level rise and saltwater intrusion?
Since my time as governor, I have been fighting to strengthen Florida’s infrastructure and preserve our natural resources. In the Senate, I’ve continuously fought to secure construction funding for South Florida Ecosystem Restoration (SFER). I am currently fighting for funding for several essential storm and water management projects by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that will benefit the Keys. I will continue to fight for funding for Florida’s infrastructure and natural resources when I’m re-elected.
What do you believe is the biggest threat facing Congress and the federal government at the moment?
We must end the gridlock in Congress, and that starts with electing leaders who are willing to put partisan politics aside and come to the table to deliver for Floridians. Rick Scott, one of the least bipartisan Senators, has been in elected office for 14 years and all he has done is push an out-of-touch agenda to take away our freedoms, put Social Security and Medicare on the chopping block, and raise taxes on the middle class. Time after time, he has tanked bipartisan pieces of legislation – even voting against Veterans’ benefits – and refused to compromise to solve the issues facing Florida. I am ready to work with anyone to tackle the rising cost of living in Florida, expand Medicare and Social Security, and protect our fundamental freedoms.
With unprecedented migrant events in recent years, many Keys residents are unsure about what happens to those who reach our shores. What can you do to ensure transparency about current procedures and the reality for those who cross our borders?
We have to solve the crisis at the border and at our ports. That’s why I supported the Border Patrol Union-backed, bipartisan border security bill this year, which would have secured our border, stopped the flow of illegal drugs, and strengthened our asylum process. I believe the bill was a good step towards protecting our national security, but we cannot solve the border crisis without also addressing violence and authoritarianism in Latin America. Immigrants don’t want to leave their homes – they do so when they have no other choice. It’s fundamental to address the violence forcing millions to flee Latin America. But Rick Scott voted against this bill to secure the border twice.
What is your plan to ensure federal funding (please include any specific grants or federal programs) for pressing infrastructure needs in the Keys as our islands combat aging bridges, sea level rise and saltwater intrusion?
I’m proud to have advocated for hundreds of millions of dollars in resiliency funding and infrastructure investments in South Florida while representing the Keys. As climate change worsens, I will fight for federal funding to protect our state from severe flooding – unlike Rick Scott, who voted against over $1 billion in infrastructure resiliency funding. In Congress, I was proud to co-sponsor the Coastal Communities Adaptation Act and the Restoring Resilient Reefs Act, helping our coastal communities prepare for extreme weather and conserving our coastal environment, which contributes hundreds of millions of dollars for our economy. As Senator, I will continue this work to ensure our infrastructure can withstand rising sea levels, flooding, and extreme storms.
DEBBIE MUCARSEL-POWELL
SHELF HELP
Staff from your Monroe County Public Library recommend some of their favorites from the collection.
What: “She-Wolves: The women who ruled England before Elizabeth” by Helen Castor
Why: As America considers, for the second time, whether to choose a woman to lead us, it’s worth investigating how many other places have gotten there first. In England, it was 1553, when Mary Tudor took the throne after the death of her younger brother, Edward VI. But even before Mary – and the long reign of her successor, Elizabeth I – there were women who were would-be or de facto rulers of the country. In “SheWolves,” Helen Castor tells us about Matilda (12th century, a granddaughter of William the Conqueror), her daughter-in-law Eleanor of Aquitaine (12th century, married to Henry II), Isabella (14th century, married to Edward II), and Margaret of Anjou (15th century, married to Henry VI). Don’t worry, there are family trees to reference! This is excellently written popular history showing how a few remarkable women navigated the perilous politics of their times. Pro tip: If you prefer to take in your history on screen, there’s a documentary adaptation on the free, ad-supported streaming services Tubi and Freevee.
Where: You can get this as a print book from the Monroe County Public Library system.
How: You can request books, including e-books and e-audiobooks, 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: Nancy Klingener, community affairs manager
See previous recommendations at keyslibraries.org/shelf-help.
MARATHON CINEMA REAGAN
Staff from your Monroe County Public Library recommend some of their favorites from the collection.
What: “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” (1981)
Why: Douglas Adams’ hilarious radio program-turnednovel is adapted into a 6-episode BBC miniseries with winning results. Unlike the more widely seen 2005 film adaptation, this series has the benefit of Adams himself being actively involved. The comedic beats and pacing the radio show and book are known for (that the later film couldn’t quite tap into) are here in full force. Sure, the production values are minimal and unconvincing, but that only adds to the off-kilter charm. Anyone familiar with classic “Doctor Who” will feel right at home here, and the energetic cast rises to the task of giving this wacky world the color and life Adams’ imagination demands.
Where: This series 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.
See previous Reel Recs at keyslibraries.org/reel-recs
COMMERCE CORNER
Established in 2019, MORAES is committed to understanding, protecting, and conserving our local marine environment through research and stewardship. We are a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Miami, Florida founded with the intent to provide opportunities, spark action, and engage in scientific research that benefits our South Florida environment. Our primary focus is to engage local students and community members in South Florida’s marine science network. Through grants, donations, and volunteer efforts, we provide internships and research opportunities in coastline enhancements, beach cleanups, data collection, sea turtle monitoring, cetacean research, and more.
Our three core projects include The Evolution of Darwin Beach, The Cetacean Aerial Survey Project (CASP), and the Virginia Key Sea Turtle Nesting Survey. These projects host public events that educate participants about marine life and conservation strategies.
In partnership with the Dolphin Research Center, our CASP project, based out of Marathon, utilizes drones to study the population dynamics of bottlenose dolphins in Florida Bay. This timely study addresses the pressures of pollution, warmer waters, and rising sea levels, providing data that can lead to positive solutions for our marine ecosystems.
For more information on our organization, please visit our website (soflomoraes.com), or follow us on social media at @soflomoraes. Have questions? Feel free to shoot us an email at info@soflomoraes.com.
CANDIDATES FACE QUESTIONS AS ELECTION DAY NEARS
Federal, state and local hopefuls attend forum in Key Largo
Candidates for federal, state and local offices answered questions and offered their pitch to voters at the Murray Nelson Government Center in Key Largo on Oct. 3. The forum was organized by the Tavernier Community Association, the Island of Key Largo Federation of Homeowner Associations, Upper Keys League of Women Voters and Upper Keys Business and Professional Women. Before candidates tackled the issues, the League of Women Voters’ Barbara Overton provided a brief overview of the six amendments on the November ballot. Overton also delved into the Monroe
JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com
COUNTY COMMISSION SEAT 3
The race for Monroe County Commission’s Seat 3 pits Republican incumbent Jim Scholl and Democrat Chris Massicotte.
Scholl was asked why he approved an ordinance to establish an overlay on the CEMEX property to allow for a supermarket. Scholl said when it was originally presented to the planning commission and other entities it was a much bigger project than what was finally agreed to.
“It was scaled down, and a major factor of approval was workforce housing,” Scholl said. “The scaling down of the Publix grocery store … It was a different project that finally got approved from the county commission than what was initially proposed.”
Massicotte was asked if it would be safe to alter the evacuation window of 24 hours to a longer time period to allow for more building permits. Massicotte responded with “absolutely not.” Massicotte said the state just saw how fast a storm could strengthen from a tropical storm to a Category 5.
“We need to get everybody out. That’s why I would have opposed the Publix and workforce housing at MM 92. I cannot believe the traffic that will end up there. It was a good project in the wrong place. We can build affordable housing, workforce housing without strings attached and without creating more traffic.”
County School District’s half-mill referendum, which allows the district to move funds from the capital fund to operational fund to help pay for teacher salaries and school resource officers, and the half-cent referendum, which continues the current sales tax for 10 years to fund the district’s capital improvements.
Candidates in each race were then called to the stage. Each candidate had a minute-and-a-half to respond. Questions were prepared by the four community groups.
Scholl was asked why the county commission waives inclusionary housing requirements and what was his main action item to resolve the issue. Scholl said workforce housing is the No. 1 strategic element commissioners have been presented with through meetings throughout Monroe County.
“We hear it from the school boards, we hear it from the hospitals that the requirement for workforce housing is the overriding element, and it got exacerbated by state statutes that allow for there to be vacation rentals anywhere. Any property owner can now transfer what was potential longterm workforce housing into vacation rentals because obviously it helps them make money.”
Massicotte was asked what he would do to represent the interests of the Upper Keys as a Key West resident. He said he believes someone cannot be an effective county commissioner unless one truly knows the entire county.
“I will treat this job as a full-time job. This will be my job. And as hard as you see me working in this campaign, that’s how hard I will work as a county commissioner,” he said.
FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DISTRICT 120
The race for the Florida House District 120 seat includes Republican incumbent Jim Mooney and Democratic newcomer Michael Travis.
Amid recent discussions at the local level on evacuation
U.S HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DISTRICT 28
The race to represent the Florida Keys and Miami-Dade County in Washington, D.C. will see Republican incumbent Carlos Gimenez against Democrat Phil Ehr. Gimenez wasn’t in attendance for the forum; a reason wasn’t given during the forum.
Ehr, who attended the forum, was asked how he’d help reduce the cost of living in Florida and the Keys.
Ehr said he’s running to work for things important to everybody. He wants to ensure Washington, D.C. adopts a philosophy articulated by Kamala Harris in growing the middle out and not a trickle-down that barely gets there. For housing, he wants to ensure there’s enough of it.
times and building permits, Mooney was asked how he’d address growth management concerns at the state level. He said all directives come from the county and cities in the district.
“The county is going to have to come up with directives,” he said. “I don’t get to tell the county what they need to do. The constituents of the cities and county let them know what they want and from there they bring it to me and discussion begins.”
Mooney added he successfully passed a bill last session that included the 24-hour evacuation requirement, which now included Key West and mobile homes in the Keys.
Travis was asked what proposals he’d pursue to reduce the property insurance burden on Florida homeowners. He said he never owned a home and comes from a generation deciding whether to pay the phone bill or rent this month.
“Property insurance is a kind of a far grasp from what comes to me in my daily value, other than I know car insurance, I know people aren’t well informed as to how much insurance they need to have. That needs to come with an education program, to show you own this much home, you actually need this much insurance.
Travis added that there needs to be assurances insurance agencies pay out what they promise to pay. He also said there have been “very good” pieces of legislation in Tallahassee but the “current leadership doesn’t want to hear it.”
“I will be a team player with local officials to work on solutions that are good here, and have it not be workcamp-type housing, but family-friendly and being mindful of the 24-hour evacuation plan.”
Ehr, a retired U.S naval officer, said he’s running for the purpose of bringing the country back to the center and away from the extremes and corruption and chaos in the economy.
“I don’t work for any president. I work for the people and I demonstrated that throughout my career,” he said.
SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS
Republican Sherri Hodies and Democrat Ron Saunders are vying to be the next county supervisor of elections, following the announced retirement of Joyce Griffin. Hodies didn’t attend the forum; a reason wasn’t given during the forum.
Saunders, who attended the forum, was asked how he’d deliver important information to voters.
“It’s important to get out and talk to voters to see if there are any issues they have. You don’t want any conspiracy theories out there or rumors. They want to make sure it’s run properly,” Saunders said. “I will say Joyce Griffin has done an excellent job; she’s been there 40 years and I haven’t seen one single problem down there.”
Saunders said the elections website could be updated and more accessible. He said he’d also like to add a few more early voting sites, including Key West and Ocean Reef.
Jim Scholl
Chris Massicotte
Jim Mooney
Michael Travis
Phil Ehr
Ron Saunders
Dr. Christopher Forsee, DMD is seamlessly taking the reins from the iconic “Barefoot Dentist,” Dr. Troxel, where the
Dr. Forsee
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Brand new construction pool home with endless open water views! Sprawling floor plan o ers high-end finishes and tasteful designs. A chef's kitchen with premium appliances and quartz countertops. Walls of sliding glass doors open onto an expansive veranda, with stunning views of the sparkling pool and turquoise ocean beyond. Outside, this manicured lot is adorned with lush native landscaping, all nestled within a quiet neighborhood.
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Idyllic recently remodeled retreat, nestled on a sprawling lushly landscaped corner lot! Inside, the living area features soaring ceilings and a charming shiplap accent wall that adds warmth and character. Step outside to the breezy covered veranda overlooking an expansive lot, enveloped in tropical foliage. Relax in the shade of the screened-in downstairs patio or gather around the firepit to enjoy starry nights with friends.
Luxurious, modern masterpiece with incomparable boating just minutes to Sombrero Beach! Sprawling dock comes equipped with boat lift, fillet station, water and electric service. After a day on the water, cool o in the resort-style pool boasting heater, chiller, and sun deck! Built for elevated waterside entertaining with 1000 Sq. Ft. of covered verandas, and unrivaled views of the harbor.
STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
NOTICE OF DRAFT PERMIT
The Department of Environmental Protection hereby provides notice that it has prepared a draft permit for the proposed project as detailed in the application, subject to the conditions specified in the draft permit and summarized below. The applicant, Florida Keys Resort Holdings, Peter Rosasco, President, 4000 Sombrero Boulevard, Marathon, Florida 33050 applied on Jan 20, 2023, for a Class V injection well operation permit. The project is located at Resort Reverse Osmosis Concentrate IW-1, 4000 Sombrero Boulevard, Marathon, Florida 33050, in Monroe County (File 0352748-002-UO/5O, WACS ID 103551).
The permittee will maintain or operate one non-hazardous Class V, Group 4 injection well (IW-1) built for the disposal of reverse osmosis (RO) concentrate from the Florida Keys Resort reverse osmosis plant. The RO plant produces fresh water for golf course irrigation. The maximum injection rate for IW-1 shall be 191 gallons per minute (gpm) and the maximum injection volume for IW-1 shall be 0.275 million gallons per day (mgd). The injection well is constructed with an 8-inch diameter casing set to 62 feet below land surface (bls) with a cemented annulus and a total depth of 97 feet bls. The injection zone is a non-underground source of drinking water.
The injection system is currently inoperable. An inspection is required prior to restarting the injection system.
The Department has permitting jurisdiction under Chapter 403 of the Florida Statutes and the rules adopted thereunder. The project is not exempt from permitting procedures. The Department has determined that an Underground Injection Control permit is required for the proposed work.
Any interested person may submit written comments on the draft permit and may request a public meeting within 30 days after publication of this public notice. A request for a public meeting shall be submitted in writing and shall state the nature of the issues proposed to be raised in the meeting. If a public meeting is later scheduled, there will be another 30-day notice period for that meeting. Written comments or a public meeting request shall be submitted to the Department of Environmental Protection, Aquifer Protection Program, 2600 Blair Stone Road, MS 3530, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400, which is the office processing this permit application. All comments received within the 30-day period will be considered in formulation of the Department's final decision regarding permit issuance.
The files associated with this order are available for public inspection during normal business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except state holidays, at the Department of Environmental Protection, Southeast District, and at the Department of Environmental Protection, Aquifer Protection Program office in Tallahassee.
Any additional information concerning this project may be obtained by contacting Walsta Jean-Baptiste at 850-245-8386 or Walsta.JeanBaptiste@FloridaDEP.gov.
7 DAYS A WEEK! Mon - Fri 11am to Close Sat & Sun 10am to Close
HAPPY HOUR 1-4PM
• Chicken wings, chicken livers and More!
• 32 beers on tap 1/2 off 2pm - 3pm uengling and Bud Light!
BREAKFAST SERVED UNTIL 2PM
• Unique & interesting menu
• $3 Mimosas • $5 Breakfast Shots
LUNCH & DINNER
• Lobster Enchiladas
• Diver Speared Local Fish
• Prime Rib • Local Lobster our Own Catch
• Great Seafood Selections
FINS VS. WIND
Marathon Middle School, Key Largo School clash on the gridiron
In a setting befitting an in-county rivalry that’s certain to grow through the years, the Marathon Middle School Dolphins and Key Largo School Tornados took their turn under Friday night lights, battling for yards on Oct. 11. In a largely defensive battle, the Dolphins prevailed, 16-6, before turning the field over to the sixth-grade teams for a customary 20-minute “fifth quarter” that gave younger players a chance for game action. Photos by DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly.
FOR STUDENTS TODAY
BE THE B.E.S.T. VOTE YES BACK EDUCATION
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-
$3.50
$4
$3
HERE’S TO THE HELPERS
An open thank you to Marathon and beyond
made the natural career transition from dolphin trainer to newspaper editor after six years at Dolphin Research Center. His passions include running, watersports, and civil disagreements with sharks while spearfishing.
This weekend took me back in time. Seven years, to be precise. Last Saturday and Sunday, my girlfriend Michelle and I had the privilege of delivering a massive truckload of relief supplies to the waterfront fishing village of Cortez in Manatee County – one of many places that felt the wrath of hurricanes Helene and Milton in less than two weeks.
The scenes I saw as I drove down the village streets were eerily similar to the first time I drove through the Florida Keys after Hurricane Irma in 2017. Buildings with roofs ripped off. Fences nowhere to be found. Plywood door and window coverings spray painted with “You Loot, We Shoot.”
And possibly the most heartbreaking of all: little one-story homes, many of which were carbon copies of the styles seen in Key West, with their entire ruined contents piled out on the street, waiting for pickup.
A day earlier, I’d asked my former Leadership Monroe County classmate Cary Knight, now a top official in Manatee County, what supplies were most needed in the area where we were headed. I got one word back.
“Everything.”
“They’re still in shock,” he said when I pressed further. “They can’t even articulate what they need yet.”
With pictures and videos of Helene and Milton’s destruction running rampant on social media, I was, sadly, prepared for many of the sights I saw on Saturday and Sunday. But what I also saw was the same thing that re-dedicated me to the Marathon community after Irma, when just weeks earlier I had been ready to call it quits and head back home to the northeast.
I saw, as Mister Rogers would have put it, “the helpers.” And today, I’m simply thankful.
I’m thankful for Karen Bell, owner of the Star Fish Company in Cortez, who took our donations and pledged to pay her employees to come in throughout the week and run, in essence, a “free shop” for all those in need throughout the village.
I’m thankful for my friendship with Cary, forged through Leadership Monroe. Cary took time away from the county’s Emergency Operations Center to personally ensure that Marathon’s donations found a perfect place to directly affect the people who needed them most.
I’m thankful for a girlfriend who dropped her weekend plans at a moment’s notice to spend more than 15 hours in a car over two days to keep me company and get the delivery done.
I’m thankful for Adam and Lauren Kane, friends from my time at Dolphin Research Center, who opened their home to us just days after weathering Milton themselves to give us a safe place to stay. And for my buddy Brian Reckenbeil, who offered the same even when his house didn’t have power back yet.
I’m thankful for Andy Sharf and the crews at the Overseas Pub and Grill, the UPS Store and Keys Fisheries, who staged collection points for supplies and made it possible in the first place to send up a second full truckload of supplies just one day after sending one to the panhandle. When Andy puts out a call for help, this town listens – mostly because he has a gift for finding ways to ensure the donations go to the right place, and works tirelessly until they get there.
I’m thankful for an insanely generous Marathon community. You all overflowed the offices at Overseas and the UPS Store with more donations than I think anyone was expecting – and that bar was already set pretty high. As I write this column, a third truck is
on its way up, thanks to the amazing men and women at the American Legion.
I’m thankful to work for a company like the Weekly, who let this hooligan take the company trailer upstate at the drop of a hat, no questions asked, and supported the trip from start to finish.
I’m thankful for the people who reminded me that when someone is in need, the Keys move FAST. On Saturday morning, I put up a “last call” Facebook post for donations before heading to Cortez. In just four hours, I had more than $1,400 in my bank account to fill up three carts with cleaning supplies from Home Depot and Walmart on the way up. Thank you to Mary Stella, Rita Irwin, Cory DeWeese, April Sullivan, Brian and Karen Witte, Michelle Lincoln, Jen Davis and Nando Bonilla, Wendy Gates, Josh Mothner, Bev Fowers, Courtney and Dale Coburn, Irene de Bruijn and Adam Marengo, Melissa Goldblatt, Ben Miloszar and Sue Hilgendorf. Mary also braved the rain on Saturday morning to help me load up the trailer.
In a time when good news can get buried under headlines about scandals and disasters, it brought me an undeniable feeling of peace to know that this community is unmatched in its generosity and willingness to step forward and roll up their sleeves, even when the ones who need help are hours away. I know that if the same were to happen here (knock on wood), they would be just as ready.
And sometimes, all there is to say is “thank you.”
Contents of houses piled high at the street are a sight all too familiar for those who’ve lived through a hurricane. The connections made in Leadership Monroe County – especially in
ALEX RICKERT
From top: A quick selfie after supply drop-off at Star Fish Co. in Cortez.
Regular menu available and BRUNCH items including chorizo breakfast burrito, guava French toast, crab benedict and BOGO mimosas & glasses of sparkling wine
4-6pm
HAPPY HOUR
DAILY SPECIALS
MONDAY Closed TUESDAY Jumbo Gumbo Bowls Tacos and Tequila LIVE MUSIC: ROGER JOKELA WEDNESDAY Wine Time Wednesday ($15-$20 bottles) THURSDAY Prime Rib Night
MUSIC: JOHN BARTUS
FRIDAY Abstract Radio LIVE MUSIC: ABSTRACT RADIO SATURDAY
Brunch 11am - 2:30pm
BOGO Mimosas & Sparkling Wine SUNDAY
Brunch 11am - 2:30pm
BOGO Mimosas & Sparkling Wine
We will cook yourcatch, fish andPleaselobster bring cleaned & legal.
A GOLDEN SEND-OFF
Pep rally helps inspire first-place finishes for Special Olympics lifters
ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com
Members of Marathon’s Special Olympics weightlifting team entered the school’s gymnasium to thunderous applause as their classmates helped send the team off on its way to a regional meet on Oct. 11. The energy in the gym translated to the weight room at the meet, as three of the four athletes returned home with personal records and gold medals.
“I’m so proud of my athletes. They all hit PRs today and truly made me smile from ear to ear with all their efforts and hard work,” said coach Cathy Warner. “Based on combined scores, two athletes are moving on to states in the bench and deadlift combo event. Billy Roberts had a combined score of 180 pounds, Cindy Augustin had a combined score of 210 pounds, and Alex Chavala had a combined score of 240 pounds. Cindy and Alex have been selected to move on and compete at the state level next month at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports complex.”
Also included in the celebrations were the school’s Special Olympics bocce and cornhole athletes, as well as the announcement of a $20,000 donation from the Marathon Premier Sailfish Tournament to support all of
the school’s Special Olympics teams. Later this year, Augustin and fellow sophomore Lillian Wiley will represent Monroe County in the Youth Leadership Summit within Unified Champion Schools. Following online meetings and classes, the pair will head to a summit at the University of Central Florida to meet other students striving to make a difference and unify their schools’ athletes.
1. Weightlifter Billy Roberts, right, soaks in the moment at Marathon High’s Special Olympics sendoff. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly
2. MHS staff, athletes and coaches thank the Marathon Premier Sailfish Tournament for a $20,000 donation to support the school’s Special Olympics teams. From left: Billy Roberts, coach Cathy Warner, tournament founder Katie Lewis, MHS principal Christine Paul. ALEX RICKERT/ Keys Weekly
3. Members of Marathon’s 2023-24 goldmedal unified soccer team are recognized on Oct. 11 with coaches Cathy Warner, right, and Justin Hare, left. ALEX RICKERT/ Keys Weekly
4. From left, Billy Roberts, Alex Chavala and Cindy Augustin turned in a weekend of personal records to claim three gold medals at their Special Olympics regional weightlifting meet. CONTRIBUTED
FUNCTIONALLY CAFFEINATED WELLNESS
Pre-workout supplements: Boosting performance or risking health?
Iknow this may come as a shock to many of you, but I don’t wake up ready to work out. In fact, I don’t wake up ready to do anything but hit snooze. However, that eventually gets me nowhere except late, and that’s annoying. So, coffee. Black coffee is my choice pre-workout; it’s also my choice to get through life.
In recent years, pre-workout supplements have surged in popularity among fitness enthusiasts and athletes looking for an extra edge. These products promise enhanced energy, improved endurance and increased focus during workouts. However, with these benefits come potential risks, especially when pre-workouts are misused or taken without understanding their ingredients and possible side effects.
Pre-workout supplements are typically consumed about 20 to 30 minutes before exercise. They come in various forms, such as powders, drinks and capsules. Their primary purpose is to give users a boost in physical and mental performance during workouts. Ingredients can vary, but most pre-workouts contain stimulants like caffeine, amino acids like beta-alanine, nitric oxide boosters and vitamins. These ingredients are intended to improve blood flow, reduce fatigue and enhance focus and stamina.
The pros of pre-workouts
Enhanced energy: Caffeine is a common ingredient in pre-workout supplements, known for its ability to increase alertness and reduce the perception of effort. By stimulating the central nervous system, caffeine helps to delay fatigue and provides the user with a burst of energy that can lead to improved workout performance.
Improved endurance and stamina: Ingredients like beta-alanine and creatine monohydrate are often included to support muscle endurance. Beta-alanine reduces muscle acidity, which can help in prolonging workout sessions, while creatine is known to improve overall power and strength, especially during short, intense bursts of exercise.
heart rate. Beta-alanine, while effective for endurance, can cause a tingling sensation in the skin, known as paresthesia, which some may find uncomfortable. In the past, when I’ve tried pre-workouts that contain beta-alanine, I personally find the tingling feeling to be so overwhelming that I lose concentration. I also immediately get The Weeknd’s “Can’t Feel My Face” song stuck in my head, which could last for days. Another side effect not worth it, IMO. Those with caffeine sensitivities or cardiovascular issues should be especially cautious.
High blood pressure and heart strain: Regular and excessive use of stimulant-heavy pre-workouts may strain the cardiovascular system, leading to increased blood pressure and, over time, a higher risk of heart complications. Those with pre-existing heart conditions or a family history of heart issues should avoid such supplements or seek advice from a healthcare provider.
Enhanced focus and motivation: Many pre-workout products include nootropic compounds, such as L-theanine and tyrosine, which can improve mental clarity and focus. These can be particularly beneficial for those who find it challenging to stay motivated or concentrate on their workout routine, allowing them to push through even when mental fatigue sets in.
Increased blood flow: Nitric oxide boosters, such as L-citrulline, are another common ingredient in pre-workouts. These compounds help to dilate blood vessels, leading to better blood flow and delivery of oxygen and nutrients to muscles, potentially aiding in a better “pump” and quicker recovery.
The cons of pre-workouts
Potential for dependence: Due to the high levels of caffeine and other stimulants, some individuals may become reliant on pre-workout supplements to feel energized, even on days they are not exercising. This dependence can lead to increased tolerance, requiring more of the supplement to achieve the same effect, which can be both financially costly and detrimental to health.
Possible side effects: The stimulant nature of pre-workouts can lead to side effects such as jitters, anxiety, insomnia and increased
...is a Marathonbased ACSMcertified personal trainer and precision nutrition coach who owns and operates Highly Motivated Functionally Caffeinated LLC. Hello@highlymotivatedfc.com
Digestive issues: Some preworkout formulas contain artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols that can cause bloating, gas and even diarrhea in some users. Diarrhea and working out do not go together. Ever. Additionally, the caffeine and stimulants may lead to an upset stomach, particularly for those with sensitive digestive systems.
Long-term health risks
When used in moderation and as directed, pre-workout supplements can be relatively safe for most people. However, misuse or chronic overuse can lead to serious long-term health consequences.
Long-term reliance on stimulant-laden supplements can increase the risk of heart arrhythmias, hypertension and, in severe cases, heart attacks. Over time, the strain on the heart caused by high doses of caffeine and other stimulants can weaken the cardiovascular system. Frequent and excessive use of ingredients like creatine can put stress on the kidneys, especially in those who are already at risk for kidney problems. Some pre-workouts may contain undisclosed ingredients or impurities that over time could negatively impact the liver’s ability to filter toxins.
Overuse of pre-workouts, particularly those with high caffeine content, can exacerbate anxiety and irritability and even lead to sleep disorders like insomnia. Caffeine can also lead to withdrawal symptoms, such as headaches and mood swings, when one tries to cut back.
The bottom line
While pre-workout supplements offer real benefits for those looking to maximize their performance, it’s crucial to be aware of the risks associated with their misuse. Those considering pre-workouts should read labels carefully, follow recommended dosages and consult with a health care provider, especially if they have any underlying health conditions.
JENNIFER BOLTZ HARVEY
GOOMBAY FESTIVAL CELEBRATES BAHAMIAN
HERITAGE
BAHAMA VILLAGE HOSTS
ANNUAL EVENT OCT. 18-19
Caribbean-style dancers and musicians march in the Bahama Village Junkanoo Parade during the 2022 Fantasy Fest Goombay Festival. FLORIDA KEYS NEWS BUREAU/Contributed
Revelers can experience sights, sounds and flavors recalling Key West’s Bahamian heritage at the family-friendly Goombay Festival scheduled Friday and Saturday, Oct. 18-19.
The street festival takes place in the Bahama Village neighborhood, settled in the early 1800s in part by Bahamians seeking a new island home.
The Goombay Festival marks the start of Key West’s Fantasy Fest,
a 10-day costuming and masking celebration whose 2024 events continue through Sunday, Oct. 27.
Goombay’s action is centered on Petronia Street, just off Duval Street in the heart of Bahama Village. Events are scheduled from noon to midnight both days.
Highlights include Friday night’s “Junkanoo Rush” and Saturday’s traditional Junkanoo parade of costumed marchers. Both will feature the Bahamas’ renowned New Generation Cultural Group, with Saturday’s parade starting at 6 p.m. and following a route that includes portions of Duval and Petronia streets.
Attendees can savor the flavors of Caribbean and ethnic dishes offered by vendors, discover island-influenced arts and crafts, and dance to live music by popular Bahamian, Floridian and local musicians and bands.
The main entertainment stage will be at the corner of Emma and Olivia streets, with performers offering nonstop music in multiple genres. The entertainment lineup includes “soul man” Robert Albury, soca singer Hebrew Edwards and the Caribbean Explosion Band presenting reggae and soca rhythms.
More information is at facebook.com/keywestgoombay2018 and fantasyfest.com.
— Contributed
‘PAPARAZZI ROW’ ADDED TO THIS YEAR’S MASQUERADE MARCH
‘LOCALS’ PARADE’ TAKES PLACE FRIDAY, OCT. 25
The Captain Morgan Masquerade March, called the “Locals’ Parade” on account of being one of Key West Fantasy Fest’s most loved events among locals, will take place Friday, Oct. 25, in the island’s Old Town district.
Revelers wear costumes and travel through Old Town, taking – and posing for – photos and stopping at intervals for cocktail samples and thirst quenchers offered at select guesthouses along the route.
This year, rather than one official starting point, there will be two. Starting Point One will be at the usual gathering place and time: 5:30 p.m. on Frances Street near Old Town Wine & Spirits at the corner of Truman Avenue. This
ZOMBIES HIT THE STREETS ON OCT. 20
THOUSANDS OF ‘UNDEAD’ BICYCLISTS RIDE IN ANNUAL EVENT
Known as a haven for sunseekers, Key West might seem an unlikely place for creatures of the dark to congregate — unless it’s for the annual Zombie Bike Ride. Thousands of “the undead” will prowl and pedal their way along the island’s Atlantic shoreline and Old Town streets on Sunday, Oct. 20, during the eerie yet oddly lighthearted event.
Since its inception in 2010, the pre-Halloween ride has become a tradition for visiting and local adults, kids and even a few pets. Many wear “traditional” gory zombie garb paired with scary face and body paint, while others are creatively costumed as ev-
erything from clowns and skeletons to blood-stained brides in ragged finery.
The spectacle starts at 2 p.m., when “Zombieland” opens on the grounds of Fort East Martello Museum, 3501 S. Roosevelt Blvd., a reputedly haunted Civil War-era fort overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
The afternoon’s attractions include food and drink vendors, as well as on-site face and body painters to help transform attendees into unnerving zombies. A Kids Zone offers age-appropriate activities, including multiple bounce houses.
Key West’s zombies will board their bicycles at 6 p.m. With spectators lining the streets, they’ll bike
route will follow Frances Street to Fleming, turn left and then head up Fleming to Duval Street.
Starting Point Two is the new “Paparazzi Row,” where dance music will play and local paparazzi, photo booths and selfie stations will be set up to record costumed crews. The Paparazzi Row pre-party starts at 4 p.m. on Fleming Street near Island House and Alexander’s Guest House and will proceed down Fleming to Duval Street.
Once on Duval, those of legal age who want to continue the party can proceed to Captain Morgan’s Official Pirate After Party at Kaya Empourium, and Hog’s Breath Saloon’s Surf’s Up Party.
More information is at fantasyfest.com.
— Contributed
down South Roosevelt Boulevard beside the Atlantic Ocean, past Higgs Beach, through Old Town and along Duval Street.
The antics culminate in the ZombieFest After Party at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater, at Truman Waterfront. Admission is free and scheduled attractions include food vendors, a full bar and three bands — Electric Kif, Sueñalo and Afrobeta.
The Zombie Bike Ride takes place on the first weekend of Key West’s annual Fantasy Fest costuming and masking festival, a 10-day extravaganza scheduled Oct. 18-27.
Registration to ride is $10 per person and includes admission to “Zombieland.”
More information is at zombiebikeride.com. — Contributed
The Captain Morgan Masquerade March is all about community, fun and photo ops. This year the event will include a new ‘Paparazzi Row’ starting point. CAROL TEDESCO/ FantasyFest.com
Virginia Wark pedals her creation in the 2023 Fantasy Fest Zombie Bike Ride on South Roosevelt Boulevard. FLORIDA KEYS NEWS BUREAU/Contributed
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*Restrictions may apply. Subject to credit approval. See us for details. NCUA Insured. Membership is open to everyone who lives or works in the Florida Keys.
On Thursday, October 17, 2024, join Keys FCU in celebrating 76 years of International Credit Union Day® with treats and give aways in our branches.
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*Restrictions may apply. Subject to credit approval. See us for details. NCUA Insured. Membership is open to everyone who lives or works in the Florida Keys.
Suggestions for city council
Icame away from this year’s Marathon city council forum in which, for the most part, the slate of candidates had done their homework and expressed concerns about the direction the city has taken over the last several years. The organizers shared similar concerns and were equally prepared with the questions asked to the candidates concerning the changing face of Marathon. A job well done by the Weekly and the Chamber of Commerce.
As in the past, the vacation rental policy came up, and again we heard a similar story. In effect, we have been told we must leave the vacation rental ordinance alone. On the surface I am in favor of that notion, but after taking time to pause and reflect, I have an idea for the city council to consider.
NOTICE
SAM STEELE, MONROE COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR, ANNOUNCES THE OPENING OF THE 2024 PROPERTY TAX ROLL. BOTH REAL PROPERTY AND TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES ARE PAYABLE.
Taxpayers are encouraged to pay online through the Tax Collector’s secure and convenient website, MonroeTaxCollector.com. Online payments made using your bank account (e-check) are FREE and no additional fees are charged.
Early payment discounts are available as follows:
4% if paid in November 3% if paid in December 2% if paid in January 1% if paid in February
No discount is available if paid in March. As of April 1, 2025, the 2024 taxes become delinquent, and any payment must be made in certified funds. If payment is not received by May 31, 2025, a tax certificate will be sold no later than June 1, 2025.
Ownership and current address information are received and certified by the Monroe County Property Appraiser. If you do not receive your tax bill within two weeks, or need additional information regarding property taxes, please call our o ce at 305-295-5044.
I suggest that city council retain an outside legal expert to explore the current vacation rental ordinance and have the legal expert report directly back to council as to what options the city has, if any, to further regulate our vacation rentals. I do not suggest this to criticize our city attorney, whose job is to shield our city from liability. Because of this, he has every right and reason to suggest that we do not touch our vacation rental ordinance – but we as a city need to explore other alternatives. I also suggest that councilman Jeff Smith be appointed to head up the search committee. There is no question that with his business experience and willingness to dive into complex topics, the debate over the vacation rental ordinance will finally be resolved.
The other comment that caught my attention is learning that the 2024-25 budget includes a salary for a proposed deputy city manager. With that as a backdrop, I urge the council to assume leadership in the hiring process by first completing and approving a detailed job description for the proposed deputy city manager and, second, heading the search for the potential candidate. I would also be in favor of appointing the incoming mayor as the individual to head the assignment.
Currently, the city has limited bench strength, and obviously, based on the proposed budget, the current council believes the city manager needs assistance. Therefore, it would be wise for council to lead a nationwide search for a candidate that possesses the skill sets that are necessary to meet the approved job description.
Kudos again to the Weekly and the Chamber for allowing each of our council candidates to express their views to the citizens of Marathon.
Sincerely,
Mike Leonard Marathon resident
THE BEGINNINGS OF ALABAMA JACK’S
A legend and bar live on
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.
Two roads lead in and out of Key Largo: the old railroad route and the old highway route. Eventually, both connect to the Overseas Highway, the asphalt conduit bridging mainland Florida and Key West. For those interested in getting to where they are going as quickly as possible, and judging by how most people seem to drive on the highway, the old railroad route is the one most people take. It follows the 18-Mile Stretch carved out by those working for Henry Flagler while building the Key West Extension of his Florida East Coast Railway.
The Stretch connects to the Overseas Highway at the Monroe County line, around MM 115, rolls over the Jewfish Creek Bridge and onto the island. The alternative is taking Card Sound Road and following the original path of State Road 4A, the first Overseas Highway that opened to traffic in 1927. It takes longer unless you’re headed to North Key Largo, Ocean Reef or the Anglers Club. For those people, it is a shortcut.
These days, it is the path less traveled and shamefully overlooked. While it is not the most direct route, it is a scenic drive through a picturesque setting. Also, it passes one of Monroe County’s classic dive bars, a local fixture known for more than 50 years as Alabama Jack’s.
The bar is named after Jack Stratham, born circa 1901 in Sumter County, Georgia, somewhere between Columbus and Americus. He made his living working in construction around the world. He helped to build a light plant in Moscow and the first South American oil refinery “that was for a British company, in Colombia.”
He worked as a riveter when the Empire State Building was being built in New York City and on the city’s water pipelines “that started at Flatbush, went over the river, under the river, through Harlem and over to Yankee Stadium.”
While many stories are told about him (and some about his pet raccoon, Coonie), the April 18, 1971, edition of the Miami Herald tells a story about Alabama Jack. Too often, stories about the good old days are just that — stories about someone (Stratham) but not told by that someone (Stratham). This rare document provided quotes and pictures of Stratham and Coonie.
How did a Georgia boy become known as Alabama Jack? Apparently, several Jacks were working on a construction job, and because of the southern tones of his accent, the foreman nicknamed him Alabama Jack. How he found his way to Monroe County is a familiar story. It started in 1924 when he came to South Florida for a two-week vacation. An avid fisherman, he never forgot the local waters. By 1937, he was coming back every winter.
In the early 1940s, he bought a little place, moved to the area full-time, and spent a great deal of time fishing. One day, when he stopped at a gas station, the attendant noticed the fishing gear in Jack’s car. He said to Stratham, “I’ll tell you about the best place…”
That place turned out to be Card Sound, where Stratham bought the lease to just under an acre of right-of-way from a Miami plumber in 1953. “I bought the place first as more or less a party place, a place to entertain our friends.”
He acquired a small, abandoned railroad building used before the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane ended the run of the Over-Sea Railroad. He set it on pilings so that part of it stood over the water. He anchored it down and installed jalousie windows, doors and counters. He also built docks.
As word of the excellent fishing around Card Sound spread, Alabama Jack’s grew, and as hurricanes came and went, damaging his building, he
Alabama Jack’s at Card Sound. FLORIDA MEMORY PROJECT/Contributed
always rebuilt. In 1965, “I had just finished work on two 16-by-16 rooms that summer. We moved in king-sized beds that hadn’t even been slept in.” When Hurricane Betsy stormed through, it knocked his building off its original pilings; he lost the two rooms, both mattresses, a barge with 18 new motors strapped to it, and hundreds of feet of docks. When it was over, he was left with two side walls, part of a roof, and some of the floor. Stratham bought a barge, rebuilt Alabama Jack’s on top of it, and reopened in March 1966.
The bar has been a Monroe County fixture ever since, in good times and bad. It was not the only business operating in that Card Sound community, one that has been described as a relative no-man’s land. At its peak, the community of about 100 people was largely squatters who built homes and scratched out a way of life fishing, selling blue crabs, running a bar or a fish camp and doing anything they could.
All of it encroached on a sliver of right-of-way that had been built up to support the road during the construction of State Road 4A with feet in both Dade and Monroe counties. For decades, the community was largely left to its own devices. One thing that set Alabama Jack’s apart from the vast majority of the others along Card Sound Road was ownership.
Stratham had a lease with Monroe County and the state for $300 a month. In 1971, it was extended for 10 years with an option to renew. Also, he had his wife, Alice. Alabama Jack’s was not the only place to rent a boat to go out fishing or grab a beer, but it was the only one offering Alice’s cooking. Once upon a time, her lima bean soup and crab cakes were legendary.
Twenty years after building the first Alabama Jack’s, Stratham sold the property. He died in 1977; Alabama Jack Stratham was 76 years old. Though the man has moved on, his legend and bar have lived on through better and worse. Those stories will be continued next week.
CHRIS
M cNULTY
is an astrologer, wanderer, bartender and advocate for queer justice. He is a loquacious Gemini with a cozy Cancer rising. Find him at hearthandheraldastrology.com
Raffi encouraged us all to shake our sillies out and wiggle our waggles away. Under this full moon in Aries, that’s the best advice. The full moon in Aries is a time when our feelings run hot and anger or frustration can be quick to boil to the surface. With the sun in Libra, we are in a season of focusing on other people and working for social balance. But there is a counterpoint that arises when catering to others: “What about my needs?” Under the Aries full moon, seek independence in a world that requires connection, but find constructive outlets rather than impulsive releases of steam. While there is great potential for frustrated feelings, I would also contend that when the tension reaches its highest point, there is a great possibility for emotional catharsis and mutual understanding. Unclench the fist.
Here are your horoscopes for the Aries full moon square Mars in Cancer. Read for your rising and sun signs.
LIBRA
Sept. 23 - Oct. 23
Your focus shifts toward relationships, where unresolved tensions may come to the surface. A partnership or close connection might feel strained, but this is your moment to find balance between compromise and standing your ground. While the temptation to smooth things over is strong, don’t ignore what needs addressing. Honest conversations can clear the air if you’re willing to speak up.
SCORPIO
Oct. 23 - Nov. 21
Daily routines may feel more stressful than usual, with a strong push to handle everything at once. There’s a need to assert control over your schedule, but it’s essential to avoid burning out. Take a step back to reassess what’s truly urgent and what can be adjusted. The tension you feel is temporary, and finding an escape that works for you will help ease frustrations.
SAGITTARIUS
Nov. 22 - Dec. 21
Creative projects or hobbies might hit a roadblock this week, and financial stress could add to the pressure. While you want to push forward, it’s important to avoid acting on impulse. Take a breath and consider where adjustments can be made, especially if others are involved. Collaboration can help you reach new insights, even if tensions flare at first.
CAPRICORN
Dec. 22 - Jan. 19
Home life is feeling emotionally charged, and you might be confronted with issues that demand immediate attention. You could feel torn between your personal goals and family responsibilities, but try to avoid making snap decisions. Instead, focus on creating a stable foundation that supports both your ambitions and your relationships. Let a partner take the lead.
AQUARIUS
Jan. 20 - Feb. 18
Tensions in communication could arise, and you may feel frustrated by misunderstandings or delays. While you might want to assert your perspective forcefully, take a moment to consider how your words affect others. A balanced approach will go a long way in resolving conflicts or bringing clarity to the situation. Dialogue is key, but so is listening. Fall into a routine.
PISCES
Feb. 19 - March 20
Financial matters or questions of self-worth come to a head this week, as tension builds around balancing your needs with external pressures. While you may feel the urge to take immediate action, be mindful of impulsive decisions. Consider the long-term impact and focus on aligning your resources with your deeper values. It’s about finding equilibrium between what you want and what you can sustain.
ARIES
March 21 - April 19
The full moon brings your personal goals into sharp focus, creating tension between where you’re headed and how your actions affect others. While the urge to act quickly is strong, it’s crucial to consider how your decisions impact your relationships. By balancing your independence with the needs of those around you, you can navigate challenges and emerge stronger.
TAURUS
April 20 - May 20
Time for some deep introspection. You may feel restless or uncertain about what lies ahead, but pushing for immediate clarity will only increase the tension. Trust that answers will come with time, especially if you allow yourself moments of quiet reflection. Releasing old patterns or expectations will help you create space for new growth.
GEMINI
May 21 - June 20
Your social dynamics are highlighted, with a potential for tension in group settings or friendships. This isn’t the time to rush into conflict, but rather to weigh your responses carefully. Finding balance between your personal needs and your social obligations is key to easing any friction. Maybe counterintuitively, actively spending some moolah can be a balm.
SQUEEZE AND RELEASE
CANCER
June 21 - July 22
Career and home life are at odds, and the full moon may bring emotions to the surface in both areas. While you might feel the need to make a decisive move, consider how to balance your ambitions with your need for personal security. It’s not about choosing one over the other, but finding a way to create harmony between your professional and private lives. You’re in charge.
LEO
July 23 - Aug. 22
Your desire for adventure or expansion is in conflict with dayto-day responsibilities. Whether it’s travel, education or personal growth, you might feel held back by obligations. Don’t let frustration push you to act recklessly. Instead, consider how you can gradually work toward your goals while maintaining balance in your routine. Patience will yield better results than rushing ahead.
VIRGO
Aug. 23 - Sept. 22
Emotional or financial entanglements come to the forefront, and you may feel pressured to make quick decisions. While it’s tempting to resolve everything at once, take a step back and assess the situation carefully. This week calls for a balance between managing details and keeping an eye on the bigger picture. By pacing yourself, you’ll find solutions that bring greater harmony.
2
2
CONTEST FOR KEYS’ FASTEST STONE CRAB CLAW EATERS SET FOR NOV. 2
Participants in the 2022 Stone Crab Eating Contest devour their 25 claws. ANDY NEWMAN/Florida Keys News Bureau
BRIEFLY
Rescheduled Hope Walk set for Oct. 26
The Florida Keys Hope Walk, rained out on its original date of Oct. 12, will now take place on Saturday, Oct. 26 starting at 8 a.m. at Crane Point Hammock. The annual walk, sponsored this year by Isla Bella Beach Resort, unites communities behind the American Cancer Society’s mission to save lives from cancer. For more information, and to sign up or donate to the event, scan the QR code.
San Pablo Church to host pre-election prayer service
The community is invited to attend and participate in a non-denominational, non-partisan election prayer service. The service is intended to offer prayers for a safe and fair election process and encourage citizen voting. The prayer service will be held at San Pablo Catholic Church, 550 122nd St. Ocean in Marathon on Saturday, Oct. 26 starting at 5:30 p.m. The service will include songs, prayers from local ministers and quiet time for personal prayer or meditation. The service will last roughly one hour. All are invited to attend, including children of all ages.
This is a no-cost event; collections or offerings will not be taken.
Keys Democrats to host monthly public meeting
The public is invited to attend the monthly meeting of the Keys Democrats on Thursday, Oct. 24 at 5:30 p.m. at the Marathon library. The meeting will discuss the upcoming local and national elections. The meeting will be a hybrid Zoom and in-person event. For more information, email mid-keys@ keysdems.com.
UF/IFAS Extension presents the Peanut Butter Challenge
UF/IFAS Extension Monroe County will be participating in the statewide Peanut Butter Challenge. The challenge will run through Oct. 31. Extension Services will be collecting unopened jars of peanut butter to help fight hunger. You can drop off the jars at any of the five Monroe County facilities: Historic Gato Building at 1100 Simonton St. Suite 2-260, or Harvey Government Center, 1200 Truman Avenue Suite 207, both in Key West; Marathon Government Center, 2798 Overseas Hwy. Suite 400, Marathon; Plantation Key Community Center, 53 High Point Rd., Tavernier; and the Murray Nelson Government Center, 102050 Overseas Hwy. Key Largo. The
Florida’s stone crab claw harvest season runs from Oct. 15 to May 1, and the Florida Keys’ annual Stone Crab Eating Contest is set for Saturday, Nov. 2.
Staged at Keys Fisheries Market and Marina, located on 35th Street gulfside in Marathon, the munch-athon begins at noon. Entrants must register and be present by 11 a.m.
Contestants compete to crack, clean and eat all the meat from 25 stone crab claws in the fastest time.
Although entrants are provided with industrial-strength shell crackers, some choose to employ an effective method that’s popular among Keys locals — smacking the rounded area of the claw’s shell with the back of a large serving spoon or a simple butter knife.
Prizes such as overnight stays and passes to Keys attractions and
challenge is coordinated by UF/IFAS Extension and FAMU faculty, staff and volunteers and was conceived as a way to feed hungry families ahead of the holidays. All unopened jars collected in Monroe County will be donated to local food pantries and shelters. More information is at 305-292-4501.
Community choir, orchestra seek singers and musicians
The Lower Keys Community Choir and the Keys Chamber Orchestra are preparing to start rehearsals for holiday concerts and are seeking additional singers and musicians. The groups will be performing Christmas concerts on Dec. 10, 11 and 12. They rehearse on Big Pine Key on Sunday afternoons, starting on Oct. 27. Those interested in joining should email KeysChamberOrchestra@gmail.com.
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 at cfk.edu/discover/cfk-foundation/ scholarship-info/. Applications are submitted online. The deadline to submit
eateries will be awarded to the top three finishers and top teams. If a tie occurs, the tied contestants must face off in an additional 10-claw competition to determine the winner.
Interested contestants are encouraged to register early to secure a spot at the table. Individual entry fee is $50 and two-person teams can register for $100. Competitors must be at least 18 years old.
Proceeds from the event will benefit a Marathon-based charity.
The Keys are Florida’s top supplier of the claws, considered a renewable resource because of the crabs’ ability to regrow harvested claws after being returned to the water. Every year, about 2 million pounds of stone crab claws are steamed, cracked and served at local markets and restaurants or distributed around the nation.
— Contributed
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. 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 at cfk.edu/ paying-for-college/.
Come take a class at the Marathon library
The Marathon library has a wide variety of class offerings, ranging from photography to book clubs, robots, virtual reality and more. Scan the QR code here to see the schedule and get involved.
WOLFE
7-year-old male domestic shorthair.
Looking for: Someone to be my best friend and personal photographer.
Dislikes: I’m laid back –everything is cool with me!
SWIPE RIGHT
Adorable furry faces are waiting for families at the
Florida Keys SPCA
Keys Weekly is thrilled each week to showcase some “furever” friends that are ready, waiting and available for their perfect adoption “match” at the Florida Keys SPCA’s Marathon campus – complete with their best qualities, preferences and turnoffs to ensure the best fit.
From cats and dogs to Guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, reptiles and birds, the perfect addition to your family is waiting for you at one of the SPCA’s two campuses, in Key West and Marathon. The SPCA’s knowledgeable staff will help with advice and care tips while working to ensure a good fit between each pet and its people.
See all the animals waiting for a home at fkspca.org. To contact the Marathon campus, call 305-743-4800 or visit 10550 Aviation Blvd.
Hurricane fosters needed. With hurricane season upon us, the SPCA needs volunteers and fosters in case of a storm. Over 100 animals would need to be evacuated, so it is crucial they all have homes in place before an impending storm. The SPCA provides everything you need; all
STAR
3-year-old female pit bull mix.
Looking for: I’ve had a hard life. I’m looking for a soft place to land.
Dislikes: I am heartworm positive.
PERHAPS, PERHAPS, PERHAPS
6-month-old male hedgehog.
Looking for: Does anyone out there have experience with hedgehogs?
Dislikes: My name. Who the hell named me this?
you do is give an animal a safe haven during the storm and return them to the shelter once it’s safe – that is, if you don’t fall in love. For more information on becoming a hurricane foster, visit https://fkspca.org/volunteer/becomea-foster-volunteer/ or call 305-7434800.
... is a photographer, writer, and semi-professional birdwatcher. He has lived in Key West for more than 25 years and may no longer be employable in the real world. He is also executive director of the Florida Keys Audubon Society.
The platform at the Florida Keys Hawkwatch, which is also the back deck of the bathhouse at the Curry Hammock State Park campground, was hopping. Though not as hopping as the skies overhead.
The sky was mostly clear and blue, with a slow, sparse display of clouds. And it was hot, so the birds were mostly high, a series of moving, fine-print runes waiting to be divined and translated into IDs and numbers.
Mid-October is almost always busy at the count site. But with Hurricanes Helene and Milton having passed, the migratory routes down the east coast and into the Florida peninsula had cleared, and it felt as if the cork had come out of a well-shaken bottle.
Gianna Arcuri and Chris Payne were the official counters, keeping an eye on the major flightlines, which were largely high and sometimes overhead. Tom Jordan from Portland, Oregon, was helping out, keeping an eye on the low horizon on the gulfside.
Anthony Sanchez, who works in the park and helps out at the counts sometimes, had a small array of clickers, each marked with a different species, laid out on one of the wide railings. Whenever someone called out a bird, he would click a button, sounding a bit like an old-school telegraph operator, sending dots and dashes out into the world, except it was all dots.
Workplaces tend to develop their own lingo, their own codes and shorthands. I’ve always been fond of diner slang, with phrases like “Adam and Eve on a raft, burn it,” meaning poached eggs on well-done toast, “cow paste” meaning butter, “halitosis” or “Italian perfume” meaning garlic, “nervous pudding” meaning Jell-O, and “on the hoof” meaning meat cooked rare.
Hanging at the hawkwatch on a busy day always reminds me of what it would be like if you crossed a diner with an airport control tower.
The conversation flows and rolls and crosses over itself into braids and tropes that are all about people trying to convey complicated information to each other, all in the service of counting every bird of prey it is possible to count flying over the site.
I decided to put my phone down and record a bit of it.
Gianna: Broad-wing, sharpie, PEFA.
Chris: Two turkey vultures.
Gianna: You see that a-sip that was just to the right of that peregrine behind your turkey?
Chris: Looks like a sharpie. Yeah. Back in the cloud, on the edge there’s a coop.
Tom: Anybody count these two turkey vultures?
Gianna and Chris: Yup.
Tom: And the two peregrines that went with them?
Gianna and Chris: Yup.
Chris: Sharpie. Sharpie. Another sharpie. Two sharpies and a broad wing. Coop. Two sharpies. A broad-wing. Adult peregrine.
Gianna: Did your peregrine just go through a little wisp of a cloud?
Chris: Yeah, a baby cloud on top of El Hefe. We got more birds coming. Osprey.
Anthony: Got it.
Chris: Adult peregrine. There’s another peregrine, but it’s going backwards.
Some translation: A sharpie is a sharpshinned hawk, an accipiter. PEFA is the fourletter banding code for Peregrine falcon. The term a-sip is short for accipiter, a genus of short-winged, long-tailed, mostly-fearless hawks. Turkey is a turkey vulture. Coop is short for Cooper’s hawk, also an accipiter. El Hefe is a large tree in the campground. Going backwards means heading up the Keys instead of down the Keys.
Gianna: See where that turkey vulture is right now? It’s like salt and pepper.
Me: Oh geez. I haven’t seen a kettle like that in a long time.
Gianna: How do we wanna handle this?
Chris: You wanna go for broadies and I’ll try to pick stuff out?
Gianna: Sounds great.
Chris: I think with the tens, it’s harder to get these kettles, because I have a smaller field of view, so I feel like I miss a lot.
Tom: Out over the bay I have a shin.
Gianna: Okay, we are already in a glide, Chris.
COOPS, KESSIES, SHARPIES AND PEFAS
Chris: Oh, gorgeous gray ghost.
Gianna: Straight up, Chris. We’re already in another glide out of the kettle. Are you on them?
Chris: Oh, it’s a beautiful gray ghost, isn’t it?
Me: Where’s the gray ghost?
Gianna: Can you add three kestrels, please?
Anthony: Got it.
Gianna: I had 101 broad-wings, and I’m still seeing a big kettle. Well, not big big. But like there’s still a good chunk of birds left out here.
Chris: Do you have this blue sky kettle?
Gianna: Yeah, I haven’t clicked it yet. But they’re gonna start gliding. I see a peregrine at the top. Do you see that?
Chris; I do not see a peregrine in the kettle I’m looking at. I see sharpies.
Anthony: Y’all are looking at different spots.
Tom: One kessie bayside. One PG bayside.
Some more translation: Brodies are broadwinged hawks. Tens are 10x binoculars, which have a longer reach, but a narrower field of view than, say, 8x binoculars. A shin is a sharpshinned hawk. A glide is when a raptor, or group of raptors, reaches the top of a thermal and glides out in search of the next one. A gray ghost is an adult male northern harrier, called that because they tend to appear silently and swiftly, as if they’d apparated from another plane of existence. A PG is a Peregrine falcon.
Me: I’ve got a harrier straight up over me.
Gianna: Uh, I see. Wow. Look at ’em all tied up in his little glide.
Chris: (Scanning the sky without his binoculars.) Naked eyes do nothing at all. If people just walked up here and didn’t know, they’d just think we’re just, like, lying through our teeth, making stuff up.
These conversations have been edited for clarity and space.
A migrating Cooper’s hawk in the Keys. MARK HEDDEN/Keys Weekly
MARK HEDDEN
The City of Marathon vacation rental law requires a vacation rental property license for every dwelling unit that rents between 7 and 28 nights, and the unit cannot be rented for less than seven (7) nights. The renting of any private residence for a period of less than seven (7) nights is prohibited The City of Marathon researches and investigates vacation rental poperties to find and fine scofflaws. Violations of vacation rental law can be as high as $500 per day, per offense and can be up to $5,000 per occurrence.
The City also requires that each vacation rental unit be managed by a licensed agent or the owner. To learn more about Marathon’s vacation rental laws visit Marathon’s website at https://www.ci.marathon.fl.us, and you can take the City’s free vacation rental training course.. The training is free and the management license cost is free for owner-managed properties and $500 for agent-managed properties.
For other questions regarding vacation rental licensing please contact the City at 305-743-5266.
Having Fun in the Middle Keys
TRY ’N’ FIND
Words that remind us of the Electoral College are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find:
Nov. 5, 2024, is Election Day. People 18 and older will vote for president and vice president of the United States, along with other offices. The candidates from each party run as a team. They are on the same ticket.
Our country uses the Electoral College system of voting for president. Each state is allotted a certain number of votes, called electoral votes.
The votes cast by individuals are called the popular vote. This week, The Mini Page learns more about how this system works.
THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE
Voting is a citizen’s most important duty. But there is another step after individuals vote. It is called the Electoral College.
On election night, follow the results online, on TV or on the radio. Color in blue each state that votes Democrat. Color Republican states in red. Circle your state.
The map shows how many electoral votes each state gets.
This is not a college with a campus and students. Another meaning for “college” is a group that meets and has special duties.
The Electoral College has the duty to elect the president of the United States. Its members vote based on how the people in each state voted.
ELECTORAL VOTES
Each state gets a number of electoral votes equal to the number of members it has in the U.S. Congress. For example:
North Carolina has 14 representatives and two senators, so it gets 16 electoral votes.
The political parties in each state nominate a set of electors equal to the state’s number of members of Congress. So North Carolina has 16 Republican and 16 Democratic electors.
Nearly 1 person in 3 around the world is now suffering from an increased number of hot nights brought on by human-induced climate change, according to a new study. It also found that around 2.4 billion people have experienced at least two weeks of temperatures that didn’t fall below 77 degrees at night over the past decade. The United Nations says this is just above the threshold where sleep often becomes uncomfortable for humans. The Indian city of Mumbai endured 60 more days of hot nights than normal during the past 10 years.
If the popular vote goes for the Republican candidate in that state, the Republican electors cast their votes for him or her.
The electoral votes total 538. This number is based on the total number of members of Congress.
VOTING DAY
On the Tuesday after the first Monday in November, voters go to the polls. The winning ticket in each state gets all of that state’s electoral votes (except in Maine and Nebraska, where the electoral vote may be split between the candidates).
We usually know who the winner is on election night by counting the electoral votes. However, there are other steps to make it official.
PRESENTING THE VOTES
In December, the winning electors, or special voters from each state, meet in their state capitals and cast their votes. These electoral votes are put into sealed envelopes and sent to the president of the U.S. Senate.
On Jan. 6, he or she opens the envelopes. The results are read before a meeting of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.
RESOURCES
Meister
Mini Fact: About 66% of people who were eligible to vote in 2020 went to the polls.
GATOR HUNTING
Conch swimmers thrash Barbara Goleman | P.8
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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.
THE SCOREBOARD
Team Sport Opponent Date Result
Key West Volleyball Coral Shores 10/7 W, 3-1
Coral Shores Football Archbishop Carroll 10/11 W, 15-13
Key West Football Miami Northwestern 10/11 L, 50-14
Key West Boys Swimming Barbara Goleman 10/11 W, 90-79
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Key West Girls Swimming Barbara Goleman 10/11 W, 125-27 THIS WEEK William
THIS WEEK IN KEYS SPORTS
OCT. 17
Date School Sport Opponent Start Time
10/17 Key West Swimming Doral 1 p.m.
10/18 Marathon Volleyball Fort Meade @ Moore Haven TBA
10/18 Marathon Football Gateway Charter 7 p.m.
10/21 Key West Boys Golf @ Mavericks Invitational TBA
10/23 Key West Golf @ Wolverine Classic TBA
FORSTER
Senior, Key West Cross Country
ON THE COVER
His growth mindset this year has been an honor to watch and is a great example to a younger generation of athletes. I can’t wait to see how this season unfolds in the next few weeks.”
— Keara McGraw, Conchs cross county coach
“HIS WORK ETHIC AND LEADERSHIP HAVE MADE HIM AN ASSET TO HIS TEAMMATES.”
When it comes to team success, it is not always the star athlete whose contributions make the greatest impact. Key West’s William Forster is a shining example of this.
“His work ethic and leadership have made him an asset to his teammates,” said head coach Keara McGraw of Forster’s efforts to improve both himself and his entire team. “Will goes above and beyond to do the miles even when scheduling makes it difficult,” she added.
Forster leads by example, making time to run even when there is no official practice. HIs leadership reaches beyond his hard work, though; when McGraw is stretched between both teams, he steps up and makes sure all is well while his coach tends to the girls team. For his constant endeavor to improve and his willingness to give his best to his team in every way possible, Key West’s Will Forster is the Keys Weekly Athlete of the Week.
Photo by MARK HEDDEN/Keys Weekly
Jason Frankel explodes off the starting block in the Key West Conchs’ home meet against Barbara Goleman on Oct. 11. MAICEY MALGRAT/ Keys Weekly
tracy
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.
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.
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.
VOLLEYBALL ENTERS POSTSEASON
Conchs, ’Canes and Fins vie for district glory
After their first loss of the season at the hands of Key West, the Lady ’Canes spent some time regrouping and reloading for their upcoming district quarterfinal matchup against Somerset Silver Palms on Oct. 15 (results not available at press time). Coral Shores, seeded third, will play Somerset in a bonus home match against the sixth-seeded Stallions. Silver Palms has proven that they will not just allow Coral Shores to roll them, however. In earlier matches, the ’Canes came away with 3-1 and 3-2 wins, but the teams match up well, setting the scene for an exciting quarterfinal round. Should the Hurricanes, still undefeated in district action, prevail, they move on to the semis the following day. The FHSAA 3A District 16 title match is Thursday, Oct. 17 at Ransom Everglades HIgh School.
A match against NSU University School and another against Basilica were canceled due to Hurricane Milton, giving the Marathon Dolphins some extra practice time before their postseason stretch. Marathon will take a road trip for its first-ever FHSAA Rural District 8 championship tournament on Friday, Oct. 18. The Fins earned a bye in round one with their FHSAA power rankings. The 3-14 Dolphins’ strength of schedule was impressive enough to earn them the No. 2 seed and an automatic trip to the semifinals, where they will play the Miners of Fort Meade. If the Dolphins come away with the victory over the third-seeded Miners, they will head to the district championship match at 7:30 that same night.
Marathon - Alex Rickert alex@keysweekly.com
Upper Keys - Jim McCarthy jim@keysweekly.com
Key West - Mandy Miles mandy@keysweekly.com
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After winning the Queens of the Keys title against Coral Shores, Key West’s match against Boca Raton was canceled due to the storm. Instead, the Conchs hunkered down to prepare for their FHSAA 4A District 16 quarterfinal match against the Rockets of Miami Central. The Conchs, who claimed the No. 3 seed with their 9-6 record, hosted the 6th-seeded Rockets on Oct. 14 in the quarterfinal round, blanking them in three sets. They then faced No. 2 seed Ronald Reagan High in the semis on Oct. 15 (results not available at press time). The potential district championships will be played at Reagan, with the finals on the 17th.
The Mariners of Basilica closed out their first season with a 5-11 record. They finished a week early, after their Marathon match was canceled along with just about every sporting event across the state due to Hurricane Milton. The Mariners do not participate in the FHSAA, thereby eliminating them from playoff action.
mcdonald
An onside kick recovery by Connor Dixon, right, put an end to Archbishop Carroll’s comeback bid on Oct. 11. DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly
Hurricanes seal Florida Independent Football Conference with win over Archbishop Carroll
Coral Shores traveled to Harris Field to play Archbishop Carroll on Oct. 11 in what head coach Ed Holly described as “an unusual night.” Archbishop Carroll’s home contests are held in the afternoon, as they do not have adequate field lighting, but to accommodate their homecoming event, they scheduled their game to be played across town with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. Referees are easy to come by for afternoon games, but not so much for evening contests. The crew was late to the start, pushing back the kickoff more than half an hour.
Once the game was underway, down came the rain, which started and stopped intermittently throughout the night, causing some unpredictable conditions. Holly described the event as “a tale of two halves.” In the first two quarters, everything went right for the ’Canes. Yemcel Moreno hit A.J. Putetti with a 60-yard touchdown pass early in the game, giving the Hurricanes a quick 7-0 lead over the Bulldogs.
While Archbishop Carroll was attempting to kick the ball away on a fourth-and-long situation, the slippery ball and sloppy field caused the punter to step out of bounds, resulting in a safety for Coral Shores.
“The rain definitely worked to our advantage,” Holly said. The ’Canes’ defense was strong, allowing a grand total of just 3 rushing yards the entire first half. Putetti punched in another TD late in the second quarter to give Coral Shores a 15-0 lead over the Bulldogs.
The second half would not go quite so well for the ’Canes. Right at the start, the lights went out. Stadium lighting is scheduled, often offsite, and lights must warm up properly, making for a long wait. Thirty-five minutes later, the half was finally underway with both teams wet, muddy and weary. The Bulldogs chipped away at Coral Shores’ lead and the ’Canes’ offense was no longer hot. Archbishop Carroll had narrowed the gap to just 2 points and tried for an onside kick with 3:35 left in the game. Connor Dixon decided enough was enough and recovered the ball to give the ’Canes possession. Coral Shores managed to eke out a first down, allowing
the clock to run down and preserving the win.
The victory meant not just spoiling the Bulldogs’ homecoming, but also guaranteed the Hurricanes at minimum a shared conference championship. Coach Holly said that his team set several goals early this season. One was to have a winning record, which the now 7-1 ’Canes secured several wins ago. The second was to win the conference championship, making last week’s game even sweeter.
The Hurricanes are off this week, then return to action the following week against St. John Neumann, who will head to Tavernier from Naples. Their final game is at Key West on Nov. 1.
Marathon enjoyed a week of rest and recuperation last week. They play Gateway Charter at home on Oct. 18, then host John Carroll Catholic the following week. The Dolphins’ final regular-season contest will be at Pinecrest on Nov. 1. Marathon’s postseason prospects will come down to their win-loss record and strength of schedule. They
hope to make the FHSAA 1A Rural playoffs in their first year in the classification.
Key West suffered a loss at home Oct. 11 at the hands of Miami Northwestern. The Bulls were heavily favored in the matchup, and their online roster includes 145 players. A quick glance at the Bulls’ sidelines made it clear their coaching staff likely needed its own bus. They traveled with 22 coaches, but the Conchs were up to the challenge.
In the first half, Key West held its own, heading into the locker room down 28-14. Coach Johnny Hughes knew that in order to upset the Bulls, his team would need to be perfect, and would need a little luck. Fortune was not with the Conchs, though, and quarterback Teak Guyet went down with a broken collarbone. The Conchs’ backup QB was already out with an injury, putting the snaps into the hands of Jaden Fox. With Fox moved from running back to quarterback, the Conchs running game lost some of its power, and against a team like Northwestern, that meant a rough half. The final score was 50-14, making the final two games for Key West vital if they hope to make the playoffs.
Key West will recuperate with a bye this week before facing Miami Jackson the following Friday. Jackson, like Northwestern, is in the Conchs’ district, making the game an important one.
“It’s a good week for a bye week,” Hughes said. Key West closes out the regular season at home against Coral Shores on Nov. 1. After that, they will need to see where their record and strength of schedule place them in FHSAA’s 1A District 16, with the hopes of a wild card bid to the postseason.
99 YEARS & COUNTING
Keys gridiron history spans nearly a century
It should not be surprising that a place so rich in history as the Florida Keys also boasts a wealth of prep sports history. The annals of high school sports in Monroe County stretch back as far as 1913, when the Hargrove Institute in Key West put together a basketball team just 22 years after the sport was invented. Fast-forward another 12 years and Monroe County officially kicked off its gridiron history.
Prep football was first noted in Key West 99 years ago. Football was not new to the Southernmost City; it was just new to high-school athletes. In fact, the first teams faced by the Fighting Conchs of Monroe County High School, later Key West High School, were the enlisted men stationed on the island. The Conchs played against groups including the Navy, the Navy Hospital and the Marines. Games were played at the Army barracks, now Peary Court, and the field conditions we complain about so vehemently today were likely far more terrible then.
As far as actual competitions against other high school teams, the Conchs did have a few that first year. The records for Key West’s inaugural season are sketchy and difficult to come by, but it is clear that coach Peter Christiansen was at the helm of an 11-man gridiron squad that traveled via train and ship to the mainland to play against Miami High, Saint Petersburg, Fort Lauderdale (to face the Flying Tarpons) and to Lemon City, which was the area of Miami near Little Haiti today.
That first team had hopes of traveling to Cuba with the local Navy crew, which was going to face the University of Havana, but it is unclear whether that ever happened. What did occur was the worst thumping a Keys team ever endured in a football contest when St. Petersburg, the state champ that season, scored 96 points on the scoreless Conchs.
The Conchs were back for more in year two and continued to play a mix of high school and adult teams. Their opening game was a rematch against Saint Petersburg, where Monroe County High School lost 28-0, far better than their first encounter. The Conchs made a three-day trip to play the Green Devils aboard the steamship Cuba. The trip was not a sightseeing extravaganza; it took that long to get the team and a dedicated fanbase of 20 to and from St. Pete, making our modern transportation seem a bit less worrisome.
Later that year, the team had to be rescued at sea when their transportation began to leak a few miles offshore. It is said that the team helped bail as they waited for the Coast Guard, who eventually transported them to Fort Myers for their game. The school’s yearbook the following spring states that the trip took 25 hours, a bit different from the high-speed ferry you can hop aboard today. But it was not all doom and gloom for the Conchs; they picked up their first win against Lemon City High School that season. Lemon City, no doubt, was still digging out from the Miami Hurricane of 1926, a
Category 4 monster that destroyed much of Miami and Fort Lauderdale on Sept. 20 of that year.
In 1927, Monroe County High School officially changed its name to Key West High School, but many already called it that. In the first official year of being called Key West High School, one could argue that the first win was that season, against a team of Marines stationed in town. Regardless, it would be the last year of prep football in the Keys for many years. The effects of the Great Depression were just too much for the time and expense of football to overcome.
3
Florida Governor
3. Football star Red Stickney,
4. Monroe County High School football team in 1925-26. The school would be renamed to Key West High School in 1927. Front row, from left: Leslie ‘Rope' Russell, Kermit Baker, Joe ‘Ramrod’ Pierce, William ‘Billy’ Arnold and Stewart ‘Slim’ Walker. Second Row: Earl Jackson, Robert Knight, Floyd ‘Dizzy’ Roberts, Theron Gato, Fred Carbonell and Maurice Cruz. Third row: Gerald Hernandez, George Adams, Reggie Trevor, Isadore ‘Izzy’ Weintraub, Philip Cosgrove and Munson Johnson. Photo courtesy of the Monroe County Library Collection.
Football returned to the Keys in 1948, when the Tigers of Douglass School fielded a team. At that time, schools were still segregated by race, and the Black students attended Douglass High. Their football games were the only prep gridiron contests that year and were played at Ocean View Park. Some of Key West’s best athletic teams wore Tigers uniforms.
By the time Conch football kicked off again, it was 1951, and several of the athletes from the inaugural season had sons playing for Key West. That season, the Conchs’ travel was a bit less difficult; they took an airplane to play against Cristobal High School in Panama. The Keys had their first All-State player that season in Ken Bazo, who later played at FSU. Two seasons later marked the first undefeated season in Keys gridiron history. Key West was 8-0-2 in 1953 and won the Gold Coast Conference Championship. No Key West team has gone undefeated since.
Marathon opened for business in 1957 and fielded a flag football team. The Dolphins and Hurricanes enjoyed an annual flag football game, beginning their rivalry prior to the first Battle of the Keys event. The 1950s produced some of the greatest gridiron athletes in Keys history, including Red Stickney, Boog Powell and George Mira. Powell and Mira were wooed heavily by colleges in baseball and football, with Powell choosing the former and Mira the latter.
1964 marked Coral Shores’ first year of tackle football, when they put together a six-man team. The ’Canes went 5-0 that season, marking the only Keys football team to finish the season undefeated and untied. The following year, Douglass School closed and the students and athletes of Monroe County experienced integration. However, that same year, Mary Immaculate put together an 11-man tackle team after not being able to field enough athletes for six-man the year before. The ’60s saw talented athletes from Keys teams including Mike Blatt, Joe Mira, Charles Powell and Bobby Menendez, the namesake of Key West’s gymnasium.
In 1966, Coral Shores had an 11-man football team for the first time. They traveled to Freeport in ’69 for an international matchup in the Bahamas. Then in 1970, Marathon added 11-man football to its offerings and the first (and second) Battles of the Keys took place. Coral Shores won both contests between the two teams in a rivalry that continues to this day. In 1979, Island Christian School added a team, making it five Keys teams competing that season. Mary Immaculate closed its doors in 1985, and Island Christian had a short hiatus, then scaled back to eight-man football between 2009 and 2016. For the last eight years, only the three public schools have taken snaps across the Keys, and it appears that will be unchanged next season, which will mark a century of prep football in Monroe County.
"We have been loyal customers of the agency for more than six decades. We love the personal touch we get when coming into the o ce with questions about our policies. Holly Redding and Jennifer Paul are always so helpful, nice and there to help if we have a problem or just a question. You always keep us up to date on the new laws and changes that come up. It is our pleasure to be your customers."
1. Douglass High School football team on Nov. 19, 1955, before schools were integrated. Photo by Don Pinder
2.
Leroy Collins with Key West High School baseball team, 1959. George Mira second from left; Boog Powell fourth from the right.
Photo by Don Pinder
shown here on Aug. 30, 1957. Photo by Don Pinder.
GATOR HUNTING
Conchs take care of business against Barbara Goleman
Key West hosted Barbara Goleman High school for a swim meet on Oct. 11 at the College of the Florida Keys pool. The Conchs outswam the Gators 90-79 in the boys competition and 125-27 in girls. Individual first-place finishers for the boys team were Santiago Gonzalez (200 free), Jacob Perez (500 free) and Eli Morris (100 back). Lady Conchs winning at home were Tessa Hughes (200 free), Hadley Bardoni (200 IM and 500 free), Aly Camargo (50 free), Colbie Turner (100 fly and 100 free), Mary Searcy (100 back) and Karis Dryer (100 breast).
1. Hadley
wins in the 500 free and 200 IM help pace the Conchs to a massive win over Barbara Goleman.
2. Tessa Hughes’ win in the 200 free helps pave the way for a Lady Conchs win in the CFK pool.
4-7. Paced by strong performances from both the boys and girls teams, the Key West Conchs make short work of Barbara Goleman on Oct. 11.
8. Reeghan Davis gets off to a fast start.
Bardoni’s
3. Eli Morris’ first-place finish in the 100 backstroke helps the Conchs outswim the Gators on Oct. 11.
Photos by MAICEY MALGRAT/ Keys Weekly
SETTING THE BAR
A look ahead to girls weightlifting
The first sports of the winter season officially opened for business in the past weeks, marking the beginning of the end for fall athletics as some athletes and coaches prepare for the inevitable overlap of their seasons. The arrival of winter sports seems to come earlier and earlier each season, with start dates occurring on a rolling basis.
Competitive cheerleading, offered only at Key West High, began practices on Sept. 30. Their competition season officially opens on Oct. 21. Next is girls weightlifting, which started practicing Oct. 7 and can begin competing on the 28th. Boys and girls soccer could start practices Oct. 14, with matches beginning the first week of November. Basketball practices begin on Oct. 28, and the window for girls wrestling opens Nov. 4, with the boys starting one week later.
One of Monroe County’s newest sports, weightlifting, has proven to be quite prolific in the hardware department. Girls weightlifting is offered at all three public schools, and the teams somehow top themselves each year.
Key West will be under the tutelage of a new coach this season in Brett Fink, who was officially hired Oct. 4, just in time for the season to begin. With two days lost to storm cancellation, Fink is still settling into the position, but he has solid goals for the upcoming season.
“Generally my goals for any team are for them to give their best effort, to focus on doing things correctly and to work together as a team. In other words, play hard, play right, play together, a play on (North Carolina) coaching legend Dean Smith's ‘Play Hard, Play Smart, Play Together,’” he said. “I include Play Right as a character-building component, which I feel is important at the high school level.”
Fink stepped up to the challenge after he learned there was no coach for the team. Many of his students were on the team and he decided to shoulder the duty for them. Fink expressed much appreciation for Jessie Schubert and Erin Hamilton, coaches for Marathon and Coral Shores, saying, “They both reached out to me when I was hired to help get us scheduled and to offer to teach me the ropes of running/ organizing the meets. Just a fantastic welcome from our competitors that I am truly grateful for.”
Key West returns several key athletes, including senior Alexa Condella and junior Shylo Sanchez. Condella will serve as team captain this season, and Sanchez brought home a pair of fourth-place medals from districts last year.
Coral Shores returns a bevy of talent this season. Sydney Eysenbach is the current district champ and was a state qualifier last season. Vanessa Gabriel was second only to Eysenbach in traditional lifts and claimed bronze in Olympic. She joined the state qualifiers with an excellent showing at regionals. Jennille Arias is the two-time defending district
champ and looks to make the state meet for the third time as a junior this year. Senior Rachel Rusch and sophomore Julia Rusch return in the lighter weights for the ’Canes. Rachel won district gold in traditional lifts last season while Julia won bronze, and both sisters qualified for the state meet. Kali Gomer should also make some room for more hardware this season. The senior was a district and regional runner-up in Olympic lifts and made the trip to states last season.
Marathon also returns a remarkable core of strong lifters. Senior Ella Dunn already owns one FHSAA state medal from her fifth-place performance in Olympic lifts last season. Dunn added it to a variety of district and regional medals from her past two seasons. Sabrina Schofield returns for her senior season as the defending district champ. Schofield earned a trip to states and has been working hard in the offseason in hopes of a repeat this year. Junior Ayme Maradiaga is also back after a trip to states last season.
But all eyes are on another Lady Fin: junior Justice Lee will be defending dual state titles for Marathon this season, and she did not take the offseason lightly. Lee added a Florida AAU gold to her state titles this summer, and when she is not at a meet, she is in the gym.
“I have an amazing community cheering me on from the start, as well as amazing coaches.”
Lee steadily improved each week last season, culminating in her unprecedented performance at states, but she is mitigating the pressure of defending her titles the only way she knows how.
— Marathon junior Justice Lee
“I do feel a little bit of pressure, but not much,” she said. “I believe that if I keep training as hard as I have been, then it will go well. I have an amazing community cheering me on from the start, as well as amazing coaches.”
And just what does an athlete with two years left of eligibility do when they are already a dual (triple with the AAU title) state champion? In Lee’s case, they set the bar higher.
“My goals this season are to make it to states and hopefully get a couple of state records as well as go undefeated,” she said.
Lee can begin her quest for perfection on Oct. 30, when Marathon joins Key West at Coral Shores for the first meet of the season.
Left page: Ella Dunn (top) and Justice Lee (bottom).
This page:
Top, from left, Julia Rusch and Rachel Rusch. Center, from left, Sabrina Schofield and Sydney Esenbach. Bottom, Vanessa Gabriel.
Photos by Doug Finger and Barry Gaukel
• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES •
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? ______ SÍ ______ NO
September 26, October 3, 10 & 17, 2024. The Weekly Newspapers.
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
September 26, October 3, 10 & 17, 2024. The Weekly Newspapers.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE
Notice is hereby given that the undersigned intends to sell the personal property described below to enforce a lien imposed on said property under the Florida Self Storage Facilities Act Statutes (Section 83.801 – 83.809). The undersigned will sell online by competitive bidding on November 8, 2024, at 9am. #324 Thomas Beaudry –personal property #109 Shammah Fleurelus –personal property #321 Faime Desrochers –personal property Will be auctioned online by Storage Treasures via website at storagetreasures.com. All purchased items sold as is. Items are located at Big Pine Storage at 30677 Overseas Highway, Big Pine Key, Florida 33043 and must be collected within 72 hours of auction.
Publish:
October 17 & 24, 2024
The Weekly Newspapers
DISTRICT IV ADVISORY COMMITTEE (DAC IV) (between the Long Key Bridge and mile marker 90.939) of the MONROE COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL has an opening for a 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 IV Advisory Committee of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council within the district so noted above, may request an application by emailing sydney@fla-keys. com. Completed applications should be emailed to sydney@fla-keys.com, or may be sent via U.S. Mail to the address below: Department DAC Monroe County Tourist Development Council 1201 White Street, Suite 102 Key West, FL 33040 The deadline for receipt of applications at the above address is 5:00 p.m. Friday, November 15, 2024. A resume may be attached to the application. Publish: October 17, 2024
The Weekly Newspapers
NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Key West Art & Historical Society located in 281 Front Street, Key West, FL is seeking bids on the Custom House Elevator Modernization and Upgrade Project. Interested parties should email Bender & Associates Architects at info@ benderarchitects.com for details related to the bids and the project with the subject line: Custom House Elevator Modernization and Upgrade. Publish: October 17 & 24, 2024
The Weekly Newspapers
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 24-CP-510-P DIVISION: UPPER KEYS IN RE: ESTATE OF YVES PASCHKES Deceased.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The administration of the estate of Yves Paschkes, deceased, whose date of death was July 19, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for MONROE County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88770 Overseas Highway, Suite 2, Tavernier, Florida 33070. The
names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.
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 17, 2024.
Personal Representative: Anthony W. Allen 9818 Magellan Dr. Key Largo, Florida 33037 Attorney for Personal Representative: Richard E. Warner Attorney Florida Bar Number: 283134 RICHARD E. WARNER, P.A. 12221 Overseas Highway MARATHON, FL 33050 Telephone: (305) 743-6022 Fax: (305) 743-6216 E-mail: richard@rewarnerlaw. com Secondary E-Mail: pamela2@ rewarnerlaw.com Publish: October 17 & 24, 2024 The Weekly Newspapers
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 24-CP-502-M DIVISION: MIDDLE KEYS IN RE: ESTATE OF CLARA ANN MAYETTE, Deceased.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The administration of the estate of Clara Ann Mayette, deceased, whose date of death was September 2, 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 17, 2024.
Personal Representative: Gerald Edward Mayette 1129 Calle Ensenada Marathon, Florida 33050
Attorney for Personal Representative: Richard E. Warner
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 16TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 24-DR-971-K DIVISION: FAMILY JOSEPH MOISE, Petitioner, and LUCRETIA GREEN, Respondent. NOTICE OF ACTION FOR EMERGENCY PETITION FOR TEMPORARY CUSTODY TO: LUCRETIA GREEN RESPONDENT’S LAST KNOWN ADDRESS: UNKNOWN YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action for Emergency Petition for Temporary Custody has been filed against you and that you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on Joseph Moise, whose address is 126 Avenue F, Key West, FL 33040 on or before November 17, 2024, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 530 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040, before service on Petitioner or immediately thereafter. If you fail to do so, a default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the petition. The action is asking the court to decide how the following real or personal property should be divided: NONE Copies of all court documents in this case, including orders, are available at the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office. You may review these documents upon request.
You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office notified of your current
address. (You may file Designation of Current Mailing and E-Mail Address, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.915.) Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed or e-mailed to the address(es) on record at the clerk’s office.
WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, requires certain automatic disclosure of documents and information. Failure to comply can result in sanctions, including dismissal or striking of pleadings.
Dated: October 15, 2024
Kevin Madok, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Jaquelyn Fonseca
Deputy Clerk Publish: October 17, 24 & 31 and November 7, 2024
The Weekly Newspapers
AUTOS WANTED
2006 Bluewater 23 1/2 ft. CC with T-Top, outriggers, rod holders, rear deck light, electronic box, 200 HD Evinrude, Continental trailer. Everything in execellent shape - too much to list. Located in Lower Keys. 305-481-6980
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
BOATS FOR SALE
One acre commercial space for rent in Big Pine. Fenced, electric, water, sewage hookup, easy access. Rent all or part. Option to buy. 305-481-6980
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 305743-6739 to schedule an interview or email office@ marathonyachtclub.com.
The Housing Authority of the City of Key West now hiring the following positions: 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.
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.
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 305294-8346 or email: Dean. Taylor@HistoricTours.com
Place your CLASSIFIED AD HERE! $25.00/week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today.
SUNSET GRILLE IS HIRING
• Hosts
• Waitstaff
• Bartenders
• Bussers
• Line Cooks
• Dishwashers
• Bar Backs
Apply in person at Sunset Grille & Raw Bar,
7 Knight’s Key Blvd, Marathon
We
ANNUAL RENTAL -
Key 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!!
Place your CLASSIFIED AD HERE! $25.00/week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today.
MISC. FOR SALE
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
Place your CLASSIFIED AD HERE! $25.00/week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today.
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
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.
YOUR CLASSIFIED
Place your CLASSIFIED AD HERE! $25.00/week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today.
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.
WE ARE HIRING!
PLANT STORE/NURSERY ASSOCIATE PT/FT
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!
Apply at the MARC office, 1401 Seminary St., Key West. Or online at www.marchouse.org. For more information, please contact hr@marchouse.org Phone: 305-294-9526 *32
NOW HIRING IN ISLAMORADA
MARINA CASHIERS Must have customer service experience working in a retail environment and using a point of sale system. Additional duties include restocking, completing purchase orders, daily ordering of basic items in the store, and maintaining a clean appearance in the store. This is an hourly position and compensation is based on experience. Work hours are flexible and we try to maintain a set weekly schedule.
DOCKHANDS
Duties include customer service, helping customers with bait and ice and helping cashiers with restocking. Morning & a ernoon hours available.
Please respond by email (Ma at islamarinama @gmail.com) with any relevant previous experience and at least two references.
JOIN A HIGHLY EFFECTIVE NONPROFIT HELPING PEOPLE COPE AND CHANGE FOR 52 YEARS!
We provide Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment Programs to the Florida Keys community while valuing and rewarding our employees.
KEY WEST
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)
*No experience required for this position. Will train. A caring heart & helpful hands necessary.
Background and drug screen req. EEOC/DFWP COMPETITIVE PAY! EXCEPTIONAL BENEFITS!!!
Apply at guidancecarecenter.org
Search Employment/Portal/Location/zip
LIVE IN PARADISE AND SEE DOLPHINS PLAY EVERYDAY!
DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER is a fun, environmentally friendly non-profit 501(c)(3) Corporation specializing in education, research, and rescue of marine mammals.
We have the following openings available. Please scan the QR code to visit the careers page on our website.
FACILITIES MAINTENANCE
APPRENTICE
(Full-Time, Permanent)
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
(Full-Time, Part-Time, Permanent)
DRC seeks to provide for the well-being of its employees by offering a competitive total package. DRC currently offers a 401k retirement plan, medical benefits, HSA account, paid holidays, vacation, sick and an employee assistance program. DRC also provides life and disability insurance at no cost to the employee.
COME JOIN THE FAMILY!
Email your resume and a DRC application to drc-hr@dolphins.org. EOE
- 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.
APPLY AND LEARN MORE careers.baptisthealth.net or call 786-243-8507
