WOMAN GUILTY OF SECOND-DEGREE MURDER
BRITTANY HOLBROOK CONVICTED IN BIG COPPITT SHOOTING | P. 4
SURVIVING THE ’70s AT THE GREEN PARROT IRREVERENT WATERING HOLE IS TIMELESS TREASURE | P. 18
‘BROOKLYN LAUNDRY’ RUNS MARCH 4-29 | P. 8
$5,700,000 | LISTING
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Thieves targeting freight trains in California and Arizona made off with $2 million worth of Nike sneakers, according to a report by the Associated Press. Robbers came away with 1,900 pairs of unreleased Nikes during a Jan. 13 incident in a remote section of Arizona.
Michael Castellano and Jessica Miano Kruel star in John Patrick Shanley’s play ‘Brooklyn Laundry’ at Red Barn Theatre March 4-29. See page 8. CONTRIBUTED
MANDY MILES
mandy@keysweekly.com
ABrittany Holbrook. MONROE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE/ Contributed
Key West jury deliberated for less than an hour before finding a 35-yearold Big Coppitt woman guilty of second-degree murder for the June 2023 shooting death of her boyfriend, Tyler Nulisch. Brittany Holbrook, now 35, will be sentenced on April 11 by Judge Mark Wilson. Florida law imposes a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years for second-degree murder convictions in which a firearm was used.
Holbrook shot her boyfriend, Nulisch, in the back in the early morning hours of June 17, 2023 following an argument.
The Keys Weekly spoke with one of the jurors in Holbrook’s trial, who said testimony showed the night of the shooting had included alcohol and cocaine.
The couple shared the rented home with a roommate, Jordan Kinn, who called 911 after Nulisch was shot, telling dispatchers that his roommate, “‘is in bad shape. He’s hurt real bad and there is a lot of blood,’” according to the arrest affidavit provided to the Keys Weekly by the Monroe County State Attorney’s Office in 2023.
When paramedics and deputies arrived within five minutes, Nulisch was unconscious, but breathing. He was taken to Lower Keys Medical Center, where he died an hour later.
Tyler Nulisch was 30 when he died after being shot by his then-girlfriend, Brittany Holbrook, in June 2023. Holbrook was convicted on Feb. 24 of second-degree murder. CONTRIBUTED
Kinn, the roommate, who had been sleeping in his bedroom at the time of the shooting, told investigators his roommates had been arguing, and he was later awakened by Holbrook’s scream.
When Kinn went to the living room to investigate, Nulisch was lying on the floor bleeding and was in and out of consciousness. When the roommate asked the victim what had happened, Nulisch reportedly said, “The bitch shot me in the back,” according to the arrest affidavit.
Kinn told detectives Holbrook hadn’t responded when the victim said she had shot him in the back.
Kinn, the roommate, was neither charged nor arrested.
He told detectives the three roommates had been drinking alcoholic beverages after work on the patio under their stilted house.
All three eventually went to bed. Then the roommate woke up when he heard Holbrook screaming in the living room.
Holbrook’s defense attorneys argued that Holbrook suffered from battered woman’s syndrome following abuse by her father, prior boyfriends and at least four times at the hands of Nulisch. But prosecutors told the jury that Holbrook never called the police or filed any complaints of abuse against Nulisch throughout the nine or so months they were together.
The juror, who asked not to be identified, told the Keys Weekly that the jury was shown graphic crime scene and autopsy photos that showed Nulisch’s bullet wound to the lower back as well as bruising around his neck and scratches on his body, even though Holbrook’s defense team claimed that Holbrook was the one choked by Nulisch against a wall.
No marks of any kind were observed around Holbrook’s throat the night of the shooting. “No petechiae were observed in either of her eyes,” according to the arrest affidavit.
(Petechiae are small, flat red dots that represent burst capillaries, according to medical forensics. In strangulation cases, they are above the point of constriction and are a result of the obstruction of the jugular veins.)
The jury did not believe that Holbrook had been abused by Nulisch, and took “45 minutes, if that,” to find her guilty of second-degree murder.
Holbrook had owned a paddleboard rental and tour company at a local hotel.
SATURDAY, MARCH 1 8AM - 2PM
City leaders discuss Sigsbee housing & new fire station
U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez, whose South Florida district includes the Keys, visited Key West last week for a day-long meeting,
Mayor Dee Dee Henriquez, city manager Brian L. Barroso and city attorney Ron Ramsingh dug right into discussions and priorities they say are vital to the city.
Officials pointed out the intense need to rebuild Fire Station 3 at the corner of Flagler Avenue and Kennedy Drive. They noted that rebuilding the aging station as a formal emergency operations
and CEO of the
center — similar to the one just completed in Marathon by the County — would benefit from federal funding.
Also on the table were the vacant 18-acre, Navy-owned parcel at Sigsbee Park, and the need for affordable housing in Key West.
Officials asked Gimenez for congressional support in this effort to ease the housing crisis in the city.
The congressman was also briefed on stormwater projects, water quality and emergency operations.
— Contributed
4-hour event features speakers, panel discussion
MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com
Representatives from statewide and international tourism marketing organizations spoke on Feb. 25 to more than 200 Florida Keys tourism professionals and business owners for a fourhour Tourism Advocacy Workshop at the College of the Florida Keys.
Out-of-town speakers included Don Welsh and Jack Johnson of Destinations International, a global association for tourism professionals, and Brett Laiken of Visit Florida.
Kara Franker, Monroe County Tourist Development Council president and CEO who is a board member of Destinations International, hosted the event, and was joined in her opening comments by Holly Raschein, a Monroe County commissioner, and Jonathan Gueverra, president of the College of the Florida Keys.
The workshop ended with a panel discussion by county commissioners Craig Cates, David Rice, Jim Scholl and Michelle Lincoln, moderated by Keys Weekly publisher Britt Myers.
An American flamingo seen on Ohio Key in 2023. MARK HEDDEN/Keys Weekly
MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com
Florida Keys State Rep. Jim Mooney has filed a bill in Tallahassee that would designate the flamingo as the state bird, replacing the mockingbird. As part of Mooney’s bill, the scrub-jay would be the state songbird.
State Rep. Chip LaMarca, whose district includes Broward County, joined Mooney in sponsoring the bill, along with three other co-sponsors.
An identical bill has been filed in the state senate by Sen. Ileana Garcia, whose district includes parts of Miami-Dade County. The bill is making its way through committees before the 2025 legislative session starts on March 4.
Similar bills have been filed in previous sessions, but have not made it to a full vote.
The mockingbird has been the state bird since 1927.
According to NBC News in Miami, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Chairman Rodney Barreto in May asked the wildlife agency
to renew efforts to designate a state bird that is unique to Florida.
“The state bird of Florida is the mockingbird. However, five other states have the mockingbird as the state bird,” Barreto said. “I’ve got to believe we can find a bird that is different from five other states.”
The FWC considers flamingoes native to Florida, although they were hunted nearly to extinction around the turn of the 20th century for their bright pink feathers that were prized for hats and other ornamentation.
The endangered pink flamingo has become a symbol of Florida, appearing on countless tourism souvenirs and promotional promotional materials as well as on the state’s lottery tickets.
The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory is home to two flamingoes, Rhett and Scarlet, that were born and raised in captivity elsewhere. They were not taken from the wild and could not survive on their own.
‘Brooklyn Laundry’ celebrates the charm of chance encounters
It’s been said that chance meetings are often an aphrodisiac moment out of which true love may bloom. That doesn’t guarantee it will be an easy germination, just that there’s an outside chance for a blossom.
Playwright John Patrick Shanley shows audiences such a flowering in his latest play, “Brooklyn Laundry,” running March 4-29 at the Red Barn Theatre in Key West. Shanley, author of the romantic hit “Moonstruck,” is a master of the charming, imperfect love story, and this play fits his model well.
“Brooklyn Laundry” is about three sisters and a guy who run a laundry in that New York borough. Fran is a single woman and tired of being so. Her sisters each have their own crosses to bear and each turns to Fran, who is feeling overwhelmed with it all.
One day, Fran takes a bag of laundry to the cleaner in her building and runs into the owner, Owen, whose sweetly gruff adorableness breaks through her protective barriers and sparks something between them. Owen, too, has had to deal with some unexpected twists in his life, but he rises to the moment and asks Fran to dinner.
From there, Shanley takes audiences on a tale of two people
trying to find balance in their lives despite the bumps that come their way.
The Red Barn production stars Jessica Miano Kruel, Michael Castellano, Donna Stabile and Lauren Thompson. It is directed by Joy Hawkins, the Red Barn’s artistic director.
“It’s a beautiful play,” Hawkins said, “nicely written, funny, tender and heartwarming. It does deal with some situations we sometimes have to deal with in life, and it might bring some tears here and there, but you’ll leave the theater feeling really good. It’s very lifeaffirming, with characters you can really root for.”
Tickets are available at keystix. com, or at redbarntheatre.com. For more information, call the box office at 305-296-9911. All shows for the March 4-29 run are at 7:30 p.m.
— Contributed
‘BROOKLYN LAUNDRY’ at Red Barn Theater March 4-29.
Tickets: keystix.com, redbarntheatre.com and 305-296-9911.
All shows start at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 8
In the Tom Majors Garden at the Oldest House Museum, 322 Duval St.
Gates open at 10:30am Competition Noon-2 pm
u Past Champion Clinton Curry will teach us how to cut a Conch Shell into a horn.
u Coconut painting with local artist Ben Curry Blacow
u Conch Blowing lessons with Key West High School Band members
u Food by El Mocho, Coasting Cocktails
FREE Register at OIRF.org or at the door until 11:30am Fun to compete or be a spectator!
ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com
Ayear of debate among Florida Keys residents and government officials over the future of development in the islands will spill over to the state level, according to two new bills filed in the Florida House and Senate by state Rep. Jim Mooney and Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez, respectively.
The two bills are the first official glimpse at legislation that could add building allocations to the islands’ dwindling stock. But while both propose additional units, the number and distribution timeline described in each bill vastly differ.
Mooney’s House Bill 995 and Rodriguez’s Senate Bill 1326 tackle amendments to the laws governing the Keys as an Area of Critical State Concern, a designation responsible for several stricter building regulations throughout the island chain.
Among other provisions, they would extend the Keys’ legally-mandated hurricane evacuation clearance time for permanent residents. Mooney’s bill moves the clearance time from 24 to 24.5 hours and details the award of 500 permit allocations over a period of 10 years. Rodriguez’s bill ups the clearance time to 26 hours, providing for up to 3,550 permit allocations over a minimum of 40 years.
Of the 500 units in HB 995, 220 were already accounted for, but not yet awarded to the Keys, within the previous 24-hour evacuation clearance time, while 280 would come to the islands as additional units directly due to the evacuation time change. Unincorporated Monroe County would receive 283 units, 103 would go to Marathon, 64 to Islamorada and 50 to Key West, the bill states. In SB 1326, Monroe County would receive 2,320 allocations, followed by 803 for Marathon, 307 for Islamorada and 120 for Key West.
In Mooney’s bill, 70% of the units would be reserved for workforce housing, restricted to households deriving 70% of their income “from gainful employment in Monroe County supplying goods or services to Monroe County residents or visitors.” The building allocations could only be used on vacant, buildable properties, with a maximum award of one allocation per property.
Rodriguez’s bill has similar provisions for vacant buildable parcels and reserves the remaining portion of each government’s allocations for permanent residential uses, prioritizing affordable and workforce housing.
In October 2024, the Monroe County Commission sent a request to FloridaCommerce for the 220 building rights already allowed under a 24-hour hurricane evacuation time, but not yet bestowed to the Keys. Two months later, state officials reportedly informed the county that FloridaCommerce was unlikely to award even these first 220 units until Keys municipalities exhausted their remaining supplies of building rights.
In a special session in December, the county commission voted 4-1 to petition state lawmakers to change the hurricane evacuation time from 24 to as many as 26 hours, potentially paving the way for up to 3,550 new units throughout the Keys.
The decision came as each local jurisdiction approached the 2025 state legislative session with varying degrees of urgency to acquire new units and stave off potentially costly takings cases if owners of otherwise-buildable lots were denied the ability to do so.
A complete denial of building rights could leave some municipalities more immediately
vulnerable than others. Marathon, which has effectively exhausted its supply of building rights, received a grim reminder of the reality of takings claims earlier this month when a decision from Florida’s Third District Court of Appeals struck a blow to the city in a decadeslong legal battle over development on Shands Key.
Two days before the county’s special session in December, Mooney told Keys leaders that he would be in favor of the “ask” later reflected in the new bill – up to 500 new units. He told the Weekly a push to increase development throughout the Keys while asking for appropriations to protect the islands’ fragile ecosystem could be seen as contradictory, jeopardizing funding for other critical initiatives.
In January, Rodriguez told the Weekly she planned to support the 26-hour evacuation extension after consultation with municipal leaders and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
“While it may sound like a large increase when translated into the number of permits, as a Legislature we can set parameters on when these can be issued over the next 40 years,” she said.
Florida’s 2025 regular legislative session begins on March 4.
Local panelists look back on the lockdown at March 27 event
A city worker prepares to cover the Southernmost Point monument with a tarp on March 17, 2020, when the governor ordered the closure of all bars, restaurants, tourist attractions and non-essential businesses. CAROL TEDESCO/Contributed
In recognition of the fifth anniversary of the COVID-19 lockdown in the Florida Keys, a panel of local photographers, journalists and filmmakers will discuss and recall the “COVID spring” of 2020, when a pandemic changed the world.
The free panel discussion and photographic reflection takes place Thursday, March 27 at 6 p.m. at the Tropic Cinema, 416 Eaton St. The COVID lockdown is defined as the period in 2020 from March 1, when Florida’s first COVID-19 cases were announced, to June 1, the day after the quarantine checkpoint in the Upper Keys was dismantled.
“Five Years Later: Looking Back at Key West’s COVID Lockdown,” is sponsored by the Monroe County Public Library.
Panelists include Chris Sloan, producer of the short documentary, “Key West: 66 Days of Paradise Interrupted,” as well as the photographers and writers who created and contributed to the book, “Isolated Island – The Key West COVID-19 Spring of 2020,” including Roberta DePiero, Corey Malcom, Rob O’Neal, Andy Newman and Carol Tedesco. Key West Weekly editor Mandy Miles will moderate.
Admission is free; seating is limited and first come, first served in the Carper Theater at Tropic Cinema. More information is available from Michael Nelson, Monroe County assistant director of libraries, at nelson-michael@monroecountyfl.gov.
— Contributed
Key West Community Sailing Center will host its 51st annual Round the Island Race on Saturday, March 8. CONTRIBUTED
As it has for half a century, the Key West Community Sailing Center on March 8 will host its annual Round the Island Race for local sailors. The race starts just off of Rat Key near Garrison Bight, and will head clockwise around the island.
Boats will traverse under the 9-foot Cow Key Bridge by flipping the boats on their side and traveling underneath. They will continue around Fort
Zachary Taylor, around the north tip of Fleming Key, and then to the finish line right off the Sailing Center docks off Palm Avenue.
The total trip is about 17 nautical miles.
A shorter, youth version of this race will be held the following day on March 9 for younger participants. Register online at kwcsc. org or at 8 a.m. race day.
— Contributed
Recently I have been involved in a production of “Good Night, Oscar” at the Fringe Theater, in which I play Jack Paar, host of “The Tonight Show.” The play centers around pianist Oscar Levant, a mentally ill, pill-addled virtuoso whose wisecracks and irreverent remarks (irreverent for the ’50s anyway) made him good for TV ratings, but devastating to himself. The play is based on a true story involving the hit TV show during a particular “sweeps season” in which ratings are measured. The relationship between Jack and Oscar intrigues me, as Jack, the host, needs Oscar on his show for ratings, and Oscar, the performer, needs the show to feel sane.
As musicians, many of us have encountered people like Oscar — great players on a path to self-destruction. For reasons beyond the scope of this article, some great players have trouble sustaining even life in a rock ’n’ roll band. (To be clear, this mainly pertains to bands and performers that play original music. Key West is much more business-minded, and a new player who shows up late or incapacitated more than once won’t be playing in town for much longer.)
Often, the person with the issues is the main character in the band. The pressure and expectations of the industry fall mainly on the shoulders of the lead singer, songwriter or virtuoso on some instrument. As that person’s bandmates and friends, we have reason for concern.
We know our friend isn’t likely to be able to sustain the lifestyle, especially with any degree of musical success. As the pressure to sing, write or play increases, so does the prevalence of outside influences. We need them to show up and play, but we also know they may be in no
shape to do so when they arrive, and they certainly won’t be by the time they leave.
... a professional musician, singer, actor and executive director of the Key West Music Awards, is known to sacrifice his comfort for that of his cat.
At the same time, we understand that our friend needs these gigs. Music is often the only thing that motivates them — song-writing sessions, rehearsals, gigs, the audience. People like their music, and that’s huge. Performing music sustains them. They could be sleeping drunk under a bridge, but if someone, anyone, was there to listen, they’d find a way to play for that audience. It’s why they wake up each day, no matter how rough the night was. We know this about our friend because they’ve told us.
Still, other people are depending on them. We need them to play. We have invested so much in the music and the friendship, we need it to work so we can prove to ourselves that love and music will always prevail — and heal. The joy we get from playing music with that person is unsurpassed. Plus, people love it, and so much of who we are is in the music that people love.
The scenario of self-destructive musicians unfolds every day — in garages, basements, practice spaces and dive bars in every city in the world. Hell, it often takes place very publicly in world-famous bands that play to stadium crowds.
There are only a few endings to this story, but it’s a story none of us ever forgets. Like a first love, everything afterward is measured against the original, that first taste of intensity and honesty that took hold the first time we really rocked with people we love.
On Sunday, Jan. 5, Michael Ruiter of Key West was working out at his gym. While lifting weights, he realized something wasn’t right – he was experiencing symptoms consistent with a heart attack. After visiting an urgent care center, he was taken to Lower Keys Medical Center (LKMC) and admitted to the ICU, awaiting a procedure that is part of LKMC’s 24/7 interventional cardiology coverage, available since November.
The medical center has invested $4.9 million, including a renovation of the cardiac catheterization lab, to expand its heart care capabilities and offer interventional cardiology services.
Board-certified interventional cardiologist Dr. Cesar Jara is leading the effort to provide 24/7 coverage so patients like Ruiter can get the care they need close to home.
“Michael’s case was like many we see here at Lower Keys Medical Center – he was suffering a serious cardiac event that required immediate attention,” said Jara. “We have a cardiac catheterization lab with a team on call led by an interventional cardiologist that can perform coronary interventions at our hospital. Our team is on call 24/7 because we want to keep care in the Keys and support patients with the treatment they need close to home.”
In Ruiter’s case, Jara said, a cardiac intervention should be performed within 24 hours if stable. He was stabilized after being transported by ambulance to LKMC’s emergency department, and following a night in the ICU, had a cardiac catheterization procedure by a radial approach and a stent procedure. Within a week, he was cleared for normal activity, including his work as owner of Ocean Wellness Spa and Salon.
“Dr. Jara assured me that if I needed anything that evening, the cardiac team was prepared,” said Ruiter. “I’ve known people who had to go to Miami in the past. I’m glad that Lower Keys
Lower Keys Medical Center’s cardiac catheterization lab successfully treated Key West resident Michael Ruiter during a cardiac event. CONTRIBUTED
Medical Center was able to manage my needs here in Key West.” LKMC’s capabilities include treatment for a ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), a type of heart attack characterized by a complete blockage of a coronary artery. Since 24/7 coverage became available, cardiacrelated transfers out of Key West have decreased from an average of 20 per month to seven per month.
Jara has experience building cardiovascular programs to improve health care and outcomes, including STEMI programs. According to Jara, treating the most serious cardiac patients requires the right equipment, as well as training and coordination between hospital staff and emergency medical services.
“A type of heart attack called STEMI for the unique changes in the EKG should be treated within 90 minutes of arrival to the ED to minimize damage to the heart muscle and in some cases to save the patient’s life,” said Jara. “We are training local nurses to gain expertise and become part of the interventional cardiac team and we are investing in new devices in our cardiac cath lab so we can treat complex lesions. In addition, we are working with local EMS and physicians so that they know that we can provide this level of care to the Key West community.”
Engaging specialty providers like Jara is part of a broader effort to expand resources at the hospital.
Elegant Fine Dining by Chef Laurence Gottlieb
Easter Dinner
A three-course prix fixe celebration of spring April 20 | 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Morning Menu
A gracious island breakfast experience 8:00 am – 11:00 am daily
Southern Happy Hour
Enjoy 30% off wines by the glass & signature cocktails and small plate specials 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm daily
Curated Tasting Menu
A sumptuous seven-course prix fixe menu 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm daily
Exquisite Evenings
An exceptional dinner menu, vintage wine list and exclusive cocktails 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm daily
Special Occasion Gift Card
Treat someone to an incredible dining experience or overnight retreat.
Our bright and airy space is a treasure trove of fashion forward essentials that embrace the island lifestyle.
Offering fabulous brands including Farm Rio, Trina Turk, Oliphant & more. Stop by and check out Key West’s go to spot for splurge worthy and on-trend styles.
Gallery on Greene | 606 Greene Street | Key West, Florida galleryongreene.com | 305-304-2323 Key West & Cuba’s Museum Quality Regional Art
WOULD YOU LIKE TO VISIT THE MOST CUTTING EDGE ARTIST STUDIOS IN CUBA?
Have a private opportunity to meet with top internationally recognized museum quality artists and discuss their work? You can go there legally and in style! Your visit will be focused on previewing art, while enjoying fabulous food, luxurious accommodations, (with complimentary WiFi) rst class air conditioned transportation in Havana, Cuba. Your visit targets the art & architecture of 505 year old Havana, UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is as incomparable as the charm of the Cuban people. Meet some the most fascinating artists the world has produced and see the long forbidden UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Pearl of the Caribbean! Call us at 305-304-2323 to arrange your personalized visit.
SATURDAY, MARCH 1 11AM-3PM
Iremember the old Green Parrot Bar. I first discovered it in the late 1970s, during my brief stint tending bar at a seedy, long-gone Duval Street emporium dubbed Scallywags.
My immediate superior at Scallywags was known only as Sideways, and the owner was just called Surfer. Neither was an unusual name in Key West at the time.
My career at Scallywags abruptly ended the day two shrimpers thoughtfully requested that I duck down behind the bar. They were angry, they explained, and wanted to throw bar stools at each other — but didn’t want to hit me accidentally.
I ducked. They threw. I quit.
has lived in Key West for 40-plus years, witnessing and writing about the island’s renegade past, shipwreck salvage adventures and colorful presentday characters.
By that time, the crazy old Green Parrot at the corner of Southard and Whitehead streets had become one of my hangouts. Why? For one thing, it was the first place my soonto-be-fiancé ever took me. (In a taste of things to come, I paid our tab.) Plus, while Key West had few really good restaurants at the time, the sub shop next door served great sandwiches that you could eat at the bar.
This was the era affectionately described as “the bad old days” in Key West. It was a time when fishermen regularly caught “square grouper” — floating bales of pot that had been thrown overboard by boat-driving smugglers who feared capture. The entire county was seemingly run from the tiny Chart Room Bar at the Pier House, Key West’s first “modern” hotel. And on Whitehead Street, it wasn’t unusual to see a local judge’s secretary chasing him down the sidewalk near the courthouse … because, though correctly attired in his long black robe, he had once again forgotten to wear shoes for court.
At the Green Parrot, the pale light over the pool tables shone on players’ badly tattooed arms, and the path to the bathroom was a hazardous one.
Ramshackle and weathered, as befits a building dating back to 1890, the place was characterized by easygoing bartenders and an irreverent atmosphere.
Perhaps for that reason, a rather impressive list of patrons rested their elbows on the Parrot’s wide bar over the years. As well as local renegades, they included the beloved Wilhelmina Harvey, the Florida Keys’ first female mayor; an infamous old salt called “Heavy Duty;” treasure hunter Mel Fisher; and assorted city and county commissioners.
The Parrot was also a favorite watering hole for several attorneys whose offices made up Whitehead Street’s “lawyers’ row.” And it was a useful annex for one of Key West’s original advertising agencies.
Decades ago, the Langdon Ad Agency office stood two doors down from the bar. If work wasn’t quite ready when clients arrived to pick it up, owner Betsy Langdon — who hired me a few years after the Scallywags incident — sent them to the “annex” to be suitably anesthetized while the job was completed.
Somewhere along the line, signs appeared at the Parrot that stated “No Snivelling” and “Sorry, We’re Open,” perfectly expressing its characteristic idiosyncrasy.
But its most iconic “mascot” was (and no doubt always will be) Smirk.
A slightly disturbing painting by artist and former Parrot bartender Saul Paul Stewart, Smirk is an eerie-eyed child who looks like an escapee from a Charles Dickens novel. The painting has adorned the place since 1975.
Today the Green Parrot is widely known for its well-prepared drinks and world-class live music. Improbably, it has also become the home of a local ukelele faction and weekly charity bingo nights. But despite the passing years, it still exudes a cheerfully raffish vibe that suggests Key West’s “bad old days.”
And I — along with many others who survived those days — hope it always will.
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da Keys History Center
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Tropic Cinema brings back acclaimed local documentary March 13 & 14
Due to overwhelming demand, “No Closet Space: The History of Gay Key West – The Found Footage” is returning to Tropic Cinema for two encore screenings on Thursday, March 13 and Friday, March 14 at 7 p.m. The 104-minute documentary originally sold out its premiere screening at Tropic Cinema, following a prior sold-out debut at Williams Hall. Audiences now have two final chances to experience this powerful and moving film.
Built around never-beforeseen found footage from 17 years ago, “No Closet Space” is a look at how the LGBT community revitalized Key West’s economy in the 1970s and
’80s after devastating military cutbacks. Packed with history, nostalgia and unforgettable stories, the film is hosted by Key West entertainers Gordon Ross and Bobby Nesbitt and showcases the resilience, creativity and joy of a community that helped shape the island into what it is today.
“The response has been absolutely incredible,” said filmmaker Timothy Dahms.
“Key West’s story is one of transformation, resilience and celebration, and I’m thrilled that so many people want to experience it.”
Tickets are available at noclosetspace.com and Tropic Cinema.
— Contributed
Young Dance Collective presents adaptation of
‘Firebird’
on March 9
The CoffeeMill Young Dance Collective’s annual benefit performance will take place Sunday, March 9 at 5 p.m. at the Tennessee Williams Theater.
The evening of dance will feature the young dancers’ adaptation of “Firebird,” along with other original works.
The pre-professional, student dance company is
composed of 19 dancers, aged 8 to 17.
Tickets are $20 to $35 at keystix.com.
The event is sponsored in part by the Florida Keys Council of the Arts, the state of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, Merging Ideas Developing Arts and private donations.
— Contributed
A fire on Patricia Street the afternoon of Feb. 25 destroyed a garage. There were no injuries, and the investigation continues into its cause, but the lithium-ion batteries inside e-bikes, which were in the garage, may have been a factor. CONTRIBUTED
Key West fire and police departments responded to a house fire the afternoon of Feb. 25 on Patricia Street. A garage was engulfed when firefighters arrived and extinguished the fire.
There were no injuries, but there was significant damage to the garage.
An initial assessment shows the blaze may have been
caused by e-bikes inside the garage. While the investigation continues, Key West Fire Marshal Jason Barroso reminds the community to use extreme caution with lithium-ion batteries.
Owners need to always follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions for charging and storing them. These batteries can overheat, catch fire or even explode, causing injuries, fires and death. In addition, running e-vehicles through standing salt water during high tides can make them unstable.
— Contributed
American Cruise Lines’ American Legend sails Gulf Coast & Keys
ship American Legend, which was docked last week at Mallory Square for its official christening ceremony. CONTRIBUTED
Key West’s Mallory Square recently hosted the American Cruise Lines’ newest small ship, American Legend, which was officially christened in the island city last week.
American Legend was visiting Key West during one of the company’s eight-day Florida Gulf Coast & Keys cruises, which sail from St. Petersburg.
American Cruise Lines’ Florida itineraries explore the Sunshine State while remaining fully domestic, much like its river cruises that explore the Mississippi, Hudson and Potomac.
The christening ceremony included speeches, plaque exchanges and local musical performances. Surrounded by cruise passengers, the ship’s official godmother, Key West Mayor DeeDee Henriquez, joined American Cruise Lines’ president & CEO Charles B. Robertson, for the traditional bottle smash on the top deck. Additional city and port officials, local excursion partners, cruise line executives and American Legend’s captain and crew also participated.
“I am humbled and honored to be the godmother of American Legend,” Henriquez said. “To American Legend, may your sails be filled with the winds of prosperity, your decks be graced with the laughter of travelers, and your journey be marked by endless wonders.”
American Cruise Lines’ newest small ship, American Legend, which caters to 100 passengers, was christened in Key West earlier this month.
“American Cruise Lines looks forward to furthering our commitment to sustainable cruising — sharing America’s stories aboard state-of-the art small ships,” Robertson said.
The ceremony noted the cruise line’s commitment to environmentally friendly cruising and continued introduction of new, modern small ships into its fleet of 21 ships.
For the next few weeks, American Legend will continue its Florida Gulf Coast & Keys cruises; then in March, it begins sailing American Revolution cruises on Chesapeake Bay, which also cruise the Potomac River, and operate round-trip from Washington, D.C. Throughout the summer, American Legend will sail a mix of coastal New England itineraries from cities like Boston and New York. The new ship will conclude the year with Hudson River cruises in September and October, before returning to Florida in November and December.
He joins Keys Weekly Podcast to spread his message of love
Colt tried to retire after a celebrated career playing music across the globe. But just a few years after putting down his guitar, a dream pulled Colt back into music. This time, his passion extends beyond the need for a paycheck. The renowned journeyman has a vision for the world to “Be Love.” Colt wants to extend Key West’s “One Human Family” way of life across the world. With tears of gratitude and joy throughout, Colt returns to the Florida Keys Weekly Podcast to share his vision.
Hear the latest episode and read more about Colt’s impressive music career – playing at Red Rocks in Colorado and with the likes of Bo Diddley, Chet Atkins and Jimmy Buffett – by scanning the QR codes here.
FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2025
5:30PM: VIP Champagne Reception & Appetizers
6:30PM: Doors open for General Admission THE TRUMAN LITTLE WHITE HOUSE
• MC: STEVEN CRANE • MUSIC BY THE FKSPCA'S FAVORITE DUO: CARMEN RODRIGUEZ & MICHAEL THOMAS
• CATERED DINNER BY CATERED AFFAIRS OF KEY WEST (VEGETARIAN OPTION AVAILABLE!)
HONORING
KING BEN HENNINGTON WITH OUR 2025 CHAMPION OF ANIMALS AWARD!
• FREE BEER & WINE, CASH LIQUOR BAR
• SILENT & LIVE AUCTIONS, & 50/50 RAFFLE!
• TICKETS : $75 General Admission
• $175 VIP Preferred DINNER SEATING
• $1,750 VIP Preferred DINNER SEATING for 10
• Purchase Tickets & Tables: FKSPCA.org/Humane-Education-Events
Poster design donated by Admiral JT Thompson & LUCKY DOG (another awesome Shelter Puppy).
... 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.
William Earl Dodge Scott and John Wyley Atkins must have had some interesting correspondence, as evidenced by a letter Atkins once sent to Scott.
“I will send you shortly the head of a Key West Quaildove (Geotrygon martinica). The Dove was shot here (Key West) by a boy on Dec. 8, 1888, and was brought by him to the telegraph office to show me. Unfortunately I was absent. When I returned, one of the office boys told me of the ‘red dove.’ Going in search I found the Dove had been sold with some Carolina Doves to a man near by. l arrived at his place to find that it had been picked with the others, and only succeeded in obtaining the head and some wing and tail feathers,” Atkins wrote.
The bird parts actually turned out to be from a ruddy quail-dove, which was actually a good bit rarer than a Key West quail-dove, which was pretty rare in itself.
Scott started out as a boy with a limp and an immense curiosity about the world of birds. He was an old-school naturalist, and in the days before binoculars and cameras, one studied wildlife by shooting it. Then you’d taxidermy it. No one really thought anything about it.
Scott gained his footing in the world by collecting birds, the intensity of his interests earning him entry to Cornell University, then to Harvard, where he contributed many specimens to the Museum of Comparative Zoology, which is still a thriving part of the university.
For a short while he worked as a taxidermist for the millinery trade, arranging birds in attractive poses that would later decorate women’s hats. He took a short gig acquiring birds for the new collection at Princeton University (then called the College of New Jersey), staying on and eventually rising to be the head of the ornithology department there.
Scott made his first collecting trip to Florida in 1875. There were not many roads at the time and he recalls riding to Silver Springs via a rickety stern-wheeler on the Ocklawaha River and having an edenic experience. He saw bird species he had never seen before wherever he looked – white ibis, anhingas, roseate spoonbills, Carolina parakeets (now extinct), etc. He wrote, “never had my wildest fancy painted, not only so many kinds of birds at one point, but such vast multitudes of representatives of the several kinds.”
When he made his second trip in 1879 the scene was vastly different – the populations of birds and other wildlife he’d marveled at along the river were essentially gone. “Such conditions had resulted from the almost universal practice of the (steamboat) passengers shooting at everything alive.”
The crew on the boat somehow believed it was the fault of the birds.
When Scott made it to the Maximo Rookery in St. Petersburg, the trip was somewhat redeemed.
“Conceive, if possible, this vast assembly of harmless, gentle, conspicuous, and beautiful birds during the breeding season,” he wrote. “It was a colony of birds that the eye could not take in at a single sweep. In the landscape the feathered population was the predominant feature.”
When he returned seven years later, the rookery was a barren landscape, all the birds gunned down and shipped north for the millinery trade. (Feathers at the time were more valuable per pound than gold.) Scott wrote a series of three articles describing the scenes in detached observational language in the ornithological journal The Auk, which sparked the first set of laws to protect birds, and also inspired the creation of the National Audubon Society.
He set out for Key West from the Gulf Coast in 1890 on a hired schooner. Along the way, near Cape Sable, he saw a flock of what he estimated to be 1,000 American flamingos, spreading out over a mile. No one has seen a flock that large in North America since.
He spent about three weeks in Key West, collecting specimens of mangrove cuckoo, blackwhiskered vireo and great white heron. Then he headed out to the Tortugas, and back to the Gulf Coast.
Scott had actually met John Atkins previously in Punta Rassa, which is now a neighborhood of Fort Myers, sometime in the late 1880s.
People steeped in Key West history may know of Atkins because of his career as the telegraph operator and chief engineer for Western Union. His biggest claim to fame in that realm occurred on Christmas Day 1900, when he made the first international telephone call to Cuba. It apparently consisted of Scott speaking, a lot of static, and then the operator on the other end of the line saying, “I don’t understand you.” But Western Union valued him enough to name a cable ship,
the John W. Atkins, after him. That ship was the predecessor of the Schooner Western Union, Key West’s flagship that now sits decaying in a Stock Island boatyard.
There are actually multiple photos of John Atkins on the Florida Keys History Center’s Flickr page. The photo here is of him leaning against the Western Union cable hut in 1900. (Warning: Looking through the history center’s massive collection of historic Keys photos can result in the loss of multiple hours of work productivity.)
It’s unclear what kind of friendship Scott and Atkins had. Atkins goes unmentioned in Scott’s writing about Key West in his memoir, “The Story of a Bird Lover.” And I haven’t been able to find any additional correspondence. But in a paper about the avifauna of the Florida Keys published in The Auk, Atkins is Scott’s sole source, having procured and shipped the skins of almost all the species he wrote about, as well as providing all the information about their habits and habitat.
Scott is also his sole source in a more extensive paper about birds of the Gulf Coast, which included Key West, and contributed information about the behaviors of birds Scott saw and collected at the Dry Tortugas.
Scott, in his writings, mostly paraphrased Atkins, and the information always seems specific and precise. There are a few direct quotes with very specific details, like the one about the dove head, but it is hard to get a sense of Atkins’ voice. Atkins did write one article in The Auk, a note about a rare dove, the bare-eyed pigeon, that showed up in Key West. But other than that he seemed happy to have Scott take the limelight.
Scott did honor Atkins, though, by naming a subspecies of the white-breasted nuthatch after him.
“This name is given to record in a slight way my great appreciation of the careful work done by my friend Mr. John W. Atkins of Key West,” Scott wrote.
The subspecies was later lumped with two other subspecies.
LINDA TUREK, Overall Community
YVETTE MIRA-TALBOTT Public Service
KRYSTAL THOMAS, Humanitarian
MARIA GONZALEZ, Womens Advocacy
JACQUELINE LUHTA, Overall Community
DR ERNESTO GRENIER, M.D Health Care
SCOTT SAUNDERS, Philanthropy
SUSHI, The Arts
FATHER JOHN BAKER, Faith Based DAVID JOHNSON, Philanthropy
BILL & AMY LAY, Overall Community
AS WE CELEBRATE THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY WE WOULD LOVE PRIOR HONOREES TO ATTEND.
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2025
BEACHSIDE HOTEL, KEY WEST
COCKTAIL HOUR & SILENT AUCTION START AT 5:15 PM
3 COURSE DINNER & LIVE MUSIC PROGRAM BEGINS AT 6:30 PM
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
If you’re feeling underwater, at the whims of the waves, or sailing smoothly, you’re experiencing the emotionality of this watery sky with the rest of us. The water signs of Pisces and Cancer feature predominantly this week, prompting us to tap into our hearts and empathic faculties in heightened ways. You know what would do everyone well? A good cry, whether happy, sad, wistful or surprising. Let a little water out. This week’s new moon takes place in Pisces, inviting us into a fresh spiritual or philosophical worldview. What has changed in your life that requires a new way of sensing your connection to the cosmos? Don’t overthink this new moon; feel it. In addition, inquisitive Mercury forms a conjunction with stalwart Saturn also in the sign of Pisces. What boundaries do you need to set to safely feel the onslaught of emotions? How can you create a semi-permeable membrane that allows in what serves and keeps out what harms? Mars in Cancer recently turned direct after being retrograde for nearly three months, and is supporting this Mercury-Saturn conjunction. It’s time to take action after months of treading water. Get back to shore.
Here are your horoscopes for the new moon in Pisces and Mars trine Mercury-Saturn. Read for your rising and sun signs.
Feb. 19 - March 20
You are part and parcel of the world you inhabit, and it can be easy to forget the impact that you have. This new moon invites you to remember your influence and to pivot where necessary to embody your power. Articulate yourself into the world by actively pursuing your
bliss and creating lasting artifacts for others to appreciate. You know how to make waves.
March 21 - April 19
Go home! Sorry, that was abrupt and brash. But really, start taking action with your home and your family that addresses the frustrating feelings you’ve been experiencing lately. Taking steps forward here will help you to ask for the space that you need to reflect and center yourself. You gotta act to ensure that your quiet is protected. This new moon, find a new meditative space.
April 20 - May 20
New friends, old friends, silver friends, gold friends. This new moon invites you to refresh your support network, either with some different personalities or a different perspective. Find the people who want you to succeed, and engage in purposive empathy. Get active in your local neighborhood and familiar surroundings, and you will find the words to manifest these connections.
May 21 - June 20
The words will come, and you will be seen for the weight of what you have to say. Speaking now will create the structure you need to put in place in the public square. Getting to the roots of your values and putting your money where your mouth is will bring the necessary words to the surface. This new moon, live into your new reputation and embrace this new cycle.
June 21 - July 22
Out with the old and in with the new (moon). This new moon is about discovering horizons that you didn’t even know existed. Who knew that was an area of study? Who knew that was a place you could go? Unexpected adventure awaits you, Cancer. Move at the speed of trust. You’ve been waiting
to make moves, now hit the gas and you will be able to articulate fresh boundaries.
July 23 - Aug. 22
Under this new moon, it’s time to clear out other people’s stuff, especially the stuff that you are tied to. We are always invested in and with other people, but sometimes that investment needs a refresh. Let go of the things that don’t serve and welcome in new investments that do. You will probably need to act alone, but don’t worry, because stepping off solo will allow you a firm explanation.
Aug. 23 - Sept. 22
You now have the words to share with an important partner in your life that you may not have had available to you before. They’ve finally materialized, so share them with the necessary care. A fresh perspective on partnership is offered to you under this new moon. Speak your truth with empathy. Your friends are available to actively support you as you deliver your message.
Sept. 23 - Oct. 23
This new moon is an invitation to start an entirely new routine. Sometimes we can get caught up in cycles that were once helpful, but become compulsive. It’s time to let this go and welcome new ways of getting things done. Getting to work at work will help you to clearly articulate a new structure of habit. What can you consolidate to clean up your routines?
Oct. 23 - Nov. 21
You’ve been wanting to do something new, but the timing just hasn’t been right for a few months. Well, the time is now. Dive into that new experience and get out into the world. Doing so will help you to think about the ways in which you
can be a more creative person, and the ways you can materialize your zest for life. This new moon, make something.
SAGITTARIUS
Nov. 22 - Dec. 21
This new moon ends one cycle and begins a new cycle at home. Do you need a new dynamic with your family? Do you need to rearrange the furniture? Something is ready to start fresh. You can also start investing now, whether that is in stocks, other people, an organization you treasure. Get a move on, because it will help you to think through your boundaries at home.
CAPRICORN
Dec. 22 - Jan. 19
Whether we know it or not, we are always weaving magic with every action we take. Effects ripple out from us in ways that are usually unintentional and probably a bit chaotic. This new moon, take a reset and try to wield your magical influence with intention. See what you can create. Think about how you can focus your efforts. An important partner’s actions can help you see your abilities.
AQUARIUS
Jan. 20 - Feb. 18
This new moon offers a refreshing look at your resources and what truly matters to you. How will you step forward with a new commitment to your core values? As you finally start getting to work, like literally getting your hands dirty, you will be able to think more clearly about what your values really are. You are the only authority on what matters to you, so show us.
Every day, around the clock, the team at Lower Keys Medical Center provides high-quality care for our patients. We’re also making a positive difference that goes far beyond medical care. Through the jobs we provide, the taxes we pay, the investments we make, and the charity care we offer, our total economic impact was nearly $125 million in 2024.
That’s what we mean when we say we’re taking care of you – and the place we all call home.
Learn about degrees & university credit transfers on March 5
College of the Florida Keys student Milan Luciano walks across the Key West campus. CONTRIBUTED
The College of the Florida Keys invites prospective students to learn more about the various academic and career training opportunities through its “Future Student” virtual event on Wednesday, March 5 at 5:30 p.m.
Topics to be covered at the session include:
• Academic and career training programs, including bachelor’s degrees in business, hospitality, marine science, nursing and education.
• Guaranteed transfer to Florida universities with an associate in arts degree.
• Affordability: cost comparisons, financial aid, scholarships, payment plans.
• Steps to become a student.
Attendees will receive a code to waive the $30 application fee. Registration for the event is required. More information is at cfk.edu/futurestudents or from Marissa Owens, CFK manager of recruitment, at recruiter@cfk.edu or 305809-3207.
— Contributed
One hour a week makes a huge difference, and volunteers are welcome every Friday and some Saturday mornings, from 8 to 9 a.m., when the Key West Ploggers clean up a designated area of the island.
Gloves, pickers, buckets, vests, hand sanitizer and a parking pass are provided to all volunteers.
The Feb. 21 cleanup event was held at Smathers Beach. In one hour, 71 volunteers picked up 513 pounds of trash, 53 pounds of recycling, and 2 gallons of cigarette butts. This week’s cleanup was for Mona’s Light, with the Guidance Care Center, for fentanyl awareness. Next week’s cleanup will be held on Eaton Street. Meet the city’s Green Machine trailer in front of Strunk Hardware. Please do not park in the customer parking area of the store. CONTRIBUTED caps and cigarette butts that are collected by the volunteers that make the biggest difference. It takes committed community involvement to keep Key West beautiful and we are making progress with every cleanup event and every spot that’s adopted. Call Dorian Patton at 305-8093782 to find out how your business, nonprofit or club can help.
A troubling number of cigarette butts and plastic bags have been included in recent hauls. Please remember your reusable bags when shopping so we can keep the plastic off the streets, parking lots and, most importantly, out of the water. And dispose of cigarette butts in any receptacle rather than the street or sidewalk, as from there, they easily end up in the ocean.
The city of Key West and its residents ask everyone to do their part to help keep Key West beautiful. With simple steps like making sure you bag your trash before putting it in your Waste Management trash cans or Dumpsters, and making sure the lids on Dumpsters are closed, will keep a lot of trash from blowing into the streets. Call Waste Management at 305-296-8297 for any furniture items left on the city right of way.
Please pick up around your home or apartment complex. Every piece of trash picked up is one less that may end up in the ocean that surrounds and sustains our island community. It is not just the large items you can see easily when you are walking, but the smaller items such as bottle
— Contributed
Join a one-hour Friday morning cleanup. All events are 8 to 9 a.m. unless otherwise noted.
Feb. 28: Eaton and White streets. Meet in the front parking lot of Strunk’s Ace Hardware. 1101 Eaton St. Parking is limited. Hosted by Key West Harry S. Truman Foundation
March 7: Eaton and Whitehead streets. Meet the trailer in the front parking lot of First Horizon Bank, which is the host.
March 14: Varela & United streets. Meet in front of the Montessori Children’s School. Park in the City Hall parking lot.
March 21: Kennedy Drive & N. Roosevelt. Meet next to H&R Block.
March 28: Emma & Olivia streets. Meet in the parking area along Olivia Street at the Frederick Douglass Community Center, 830 Emma St.
While most animals enter our shelter in good health and ready to be adopted, others arrive sick or injured, often requiring extensive veterinary care and/or medication before they can be placed for adoption.
This fund was named for Oscar, a miniature Schnauzer, thrown from a moving vehicle on Duval Street. He su ered a fractured shoulder and numerous abrasions, and found badly matted and full of fleas. Further testing indicated that Oscar was infected with potentially deadly heartworms. Under the care of Dr. Kristen Jensen at All Animal Clinic, Oscar’s shoulder healed. And, under the care of Dr. Ronit Berdugo, Oscar was rid of heartworms. Oscar was adopted by a special member of our Key West Community.
ALL DONATIONS MADE IN FEBRUARY WILL BE MATCHED, UP TO $100,000! HELP US MEET OUR MATCH TODAY!
So that all animals that come into our shelter get the same chance as Oscar, we established Oscar’s Fund. Donations to this fund go specifically to pay for the medical care of sick or injured animals.
The Keys Weekly family loves animals as much as our friends at the Florida Keys SPCA do, and we’re honored each week to showcase some “furever” friends that are ready, waiting and available for adoption at the organization’s Key West campus.
From cats and dogs to Guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, reptiles and birds, the perfect addition to your family is waiting for you. The SPCA’s knowledgeable staff will help with advice and care tips while working to ensure a good fit between each pet and its people.
The SPCA’s Golden Paw program also provides special assistance with vet bills and medications for special-needs and older animals that require a little extra TLC.
Check these pages each week for just a few of the animals waiting for a home and see them all at fkspca.org.
Sara is a 6-year-old schnauzer mix who’s ready to be your one and only. She’s fantastic on a leash and loves to be involved in everything you do — running errands, relaxing at home or just enjoying a snack (she’ll supervise). Sara prefers to be the center of attention, so she’d thrive as the only dog in the home.
is a 9-month-old cow cat with a never-ending supply of love. This superfriendly boy lives for pets — he’ll soak up attention like a sponge and purr nonstop while you do it. If you stop, don’t be surprised if he gently reminds you he’s not done yet.
is a 9-year-old all-black queen with the most adorable round face — and an attitude to match. She loves attention and will soak up all the pets you can give, but when she’s had her fill, she’ll politely (or not-so-politely) let you know.
Jones has come a long way. The 4-month-old kitten arrived full of spice — hissing, keeping his distance and protecting his sister, Ripley. But with time and love, he’s learned that people aren’t so bad. Now, he purrs when held, seeks out attention, and is slowly letting his sweet side shine. He’s still a little nervous, but with patience, he’ll blossom into a loving companion.
Say hello to Pepper, a 1-year-old male guinea pig with a sleek black coat that’s as charming as his personality. Black guinea pigs are often thought to symbolize good fortune, and Pepper is certainly lucky to have such a fun-loving, curious nature. He’s always ready for a snack or a little adventure around his space, and he loves some gentle attention when he’s not exploring.
What keeps getting more apparent is all the miles that go into creating the 115-mile-long Overseas Highway have stories to tell. Naturally, some miles have more to share than others.
Mile Marker 22, crossing Cudjoe Key, is an interesting stretch that leads to conversations about Fat Albert, square grouper, and, on a personal note, my favorite dessert served in the Florida Keys. Spoiler alert: it is not Key lime pie.
As with most of the islands making up the archipelago, Cudjoe Key was not the first name given to it. In 1772, William Gerald De Brahm’s chart identified it as Littleton Island. According to F.H. Gerdes’ 1849 pamphlet, “Reconnaissance of the Florida Reef and all the Keys,” the island was simply called Cudjoe’s. Why the name Cudjoe came to be is something of a debate.
Some suggest the island was named after a person named Cudjoe, who once lived there.
Others suggest it was named for Jacquinia keyensis, an evergreen shrub that can grow to more than 10 feet tall. It is slow-growing but adept at island living and highly tolerant of drought, salt and wind. The plant, too, has tiny, fragrant white flowers that bees, wasps and other pollinators find attractive.
Sometimes, it is called Joewood. In 1989, city officials on Sanibel Island, in hopes of raising awareness about Joewood, declared it Sanibel’s official city plant. Jacquinia keyensis is also known as ironwood and cudjoewood. Cudjoewood is both native and common in the Florida Keys, which might be why the island found at MM 22 became known as Cudjoe Key. It is home to Fat Albert, a tethered aerostat (a small, white blimplooking object) floating 10,000 feet over the island.
One of Fat Albert’s jobs is broadcasting TVMarti. In addition to other Western propaganda, it is rumored that episodes of the titillat-
ing California lifeguard drama “Baywatch” are projected through the Cuban airwaves. Fat Albert was not the first government project developed on Cudjoe Key. The island has an often-overlooked history of being used by the government.
Cudjoe Key’s first military base began developing in the late 1950s. In the Dec. 31, 1958, edition of the Miami Herald, a story reported that a “new million-dollar missile tracking station was going to be built at Cudjoe Key.” The base was developed as a radar and communications station to aid in the monitoring of aircraft over the Gulf of Mexico; it served as an extension of Eglin Air Force Base, located in the area of Destin and Fort Walton Beach on Florida’s panhandle.
Among the things tracked were “advanced types of aircraft” and two models of BOMARC missiles launched from Eglin and tracked for both distance and accuracy across the Gulf of Mexico. Cudjoe Key Air Force Station 6947th Security Squadron and its 339 military personnel operated through the 1960s. When government cutbacks began in 1970, NAS Key West was saved because the weather was ideal for flight training, which is why fighter jets are still frequently seen screaming across the sky above the Florida Keys.
The Cudjoe Key base was reimagined. A “Balloon Radar Test” story appeared in the Aug. 29, 1970, Florida Today newspaper. “The Air Force plans to conduct tests to evaluate a balloonborne radar in an air defense role at Cudjoe Key Air Force station in Monroe County beginning in about 45 days, Sen. Edward J. Gurney, R-Fla. said. The test will continue through the summer of 1971.”
In the early 1970s, a project called “Seek Skyhook” was implemented at Cudjoe Key. The idea was based on a Civil War-era tactic of placing an observer in a tethered hot air balloon. Floating high in the air, the soldier would have an advantageous position to watch for enemy movements. The Seek Skyhook project placed a tethered aerostat radar system on the island that has been used primarily for drug interdiction. The aerostat was nicknamed Fat Albert.
One of Fat Albert’s jobs has been to identify potential drug smuggling operations, which led to the subsequent influx of square groupers into the local waters. “Square grouper” is the local language describing a bale of drugs found floating out on the high seas or washing ashore.
Generally bound in plastic and waterproof tape, the square shapes of cocaine and marijuana are not infrequently spotted in the local waters.
Why are they in the water? Sometimes, they are dumped because of engine trouble or because federal agents are in pursuit. While driving over MM 22, the subject of square groupers may spark up when driving past one of my favorite restaurants in the Florida Keys, the Square Grouper. The restaurant’s logo is a blue, square grouper smoking a joint.
Also, they take the square grouper theme pretty seriously. In addition to hanging a great array of pictures of the infamous grouper on the walls inside, they open for dinner service at the classic stoner time of 4:20 p.m. Upstairs, there is a tapas menu, a raw bar and a cocktail lounge called My New Joint. The Square Grouper also serves what I consider the best dessert in the Florida Keys, a chocolate peanut butter pie that is always the high point of every visit.
If you want to learn more about square grouper, Billy Corben produced an excellent film about marijuana smuggling operations in the 1970s. The 2011 documentary is called “Square Grouper: The Godfathers of Ganja.” I give it five out of five joints.
In 2025, I’ll be exploring the Overseas Highway, its history, attractions, and points I find interesting.
Lou Caputo began serving his country in the U.S. Army before the start of the Vietnam War. He did several tours, came home and eventually returned to service, this time with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office as a reserve deputy.
Eventually, he rose through the ranks to be the No. 2 man just under Sheriff Rick Ramsay.
As Caputo explained, “the sheriff would hire and promote and I would fire and demote.”
Caputo’s time with the sheriff’s office, in a career taking him from Key Largo to Key West, officially comes to an end Friday, Feb. 28 as he enters retirement.
On Feb. 20, fellow deputies, longtime friends of Caputo and his fellow Mangrove Swamp Band members gathered to celebrate his work and dedication to the community with the sheriff’s office. Bagpipes played by Dave Campbell and Doris Chong, who went through the police academy with Caputo several decades ago, filled the air as Caputo walked past his comrades and friends into the station at the Roth Building on Plantation Key.
“It’s a huge loss,” Ramsay told a filled room. “We can’t replace someone like this. People like this are just one in a million.”
Caputo joined the Army in 1969 before the start of the Vietnam draft. He was 19 years old when he enlisted. During a 2008 interview with the Keys Weekly, he said he volunteered because he wanted to serve his country — and because it was the John Wayne era, and “the American thing to do.”
Caputo risked his life to play the role of dog handler for the Army. For two tours of duty, with
Bruce at his side, Caputo took on the courageous task of tracking and defeating enemy soldiers in Vietnam. Rarely did the duo fail to complete a mission.
“When I got to Vietnam they asked some of us if we wanted to become dog handlers,” Caputo said. “I raised my hand. That’s not what I had trained for, but within two weeks of getting there that was my job.”
For multiple days at a time, and accompanied by only a small band of three or four lightly-armed unit soldiers, Caputo and Bruce would head deep into enemy territory in search of Viet Cong or North Vietnamese troops. Bruce tracked the opposition by ground scent, and Caputo searched for visual signs that the enemy was near. Wherever Bruce went, Caputo and the men followed. Bruce even protected Caputo from a trip wire linked to a nearby C4 explosive.
“I’d be dead if it wasn’t for him,” Caputo says. “He wasn’t even trained to look for explosives. After that, whenever he stopped I knew something was up.”
Upon finishing several tours in Vietnam, Caputo returned home to Key Largo. He had lived there since he was 16, when his mother moved the family from Miami. He married his childhood sweetheart, Anita, had three kids, became a state certified electrical contractor and eventually started his own business.
In 1984, he again volunteered for service – this time as a reserve deputy for the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. Reserve deputies, as Caputo explained, go out on their own time, ride with deputies and help where they can.
A few years later, when his boys were old enough to run the family business on their own, he attended the police academy.
“When Lou first came to the academy, I was kind of happy because I finally ran into somebody who was older than me,” joked Don Reynolds, who trained Caputo during his time at Miami-Dade Police Academy.
Caputo and several others from Monroe County were some of the first to attend the academy in Miami-Dade. Caputo, who drove the group to training in a Chrysler van, said he had a rule that everyone had to be ready to go by 4 p.m.
“One of the things they (police academy trainers) told us was, ‘Just because you’re from Monroe County doesn’t mean you’ll get special treatment because you’re driving an hourand-a-half. If you’re late three times we’re kicking you out of the academy.’
“You’re running full bore and hitting gridlock in Miami,” Caputo said. “We’d slide into the academy parking lot, sometimes we’re changing in the back. We jump out and put bags on and run up to formation in time to do PTs, because we used to run the stadium steps at the time.”
Doris Chong attended the academy alongside Caputo. Upon graduation, she went on to work for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection while Caputo joined the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
“Initially it was just Lou and I going up the road,” she said. “Six people wound up signing up for that academy, so we had a full house every night in the van eating on the road.”
With the police academy behind him, Caputo spent a period as bailiff for Judge Regan Ptomey. At that time, bailiffs didn’t have offices; they sat in the chambers with the judges.
“I can tell you what judges do when they’re not in the courtroom,” Caputo joked. “And it isn’t reading journals, it’s not reading the law. It’s none of that.”
Caputo served as sergeant and captain in the Upper Keys. He also spent time in Marathon before heading to Key West in 2010.
“I’ve always had a good team,” Caputo said.
Caputo is known to be a tough cookie when it comes to annual inspections. Every year, deputies tend to their vehicles as Caputo not only
ensures they have all their equipment, but their vehicles are squeaky clean.
“The challenge with these inspections is finding dirt. The first year was easy; I didn’t come with Q-tips. The following years, I came with Q-tips,” he said. “The guys love when I come, and the sheriff said I could come back and do the honorary inspections.”
Caputo is also known to be quite the storyteller. Just ask him about the time he brought two German women back to his house after they had a fight with their boyfriends and were kicked out of the car. Or, the time he was on road patrol and responded to a domestic disturbance involving two gentlemen; one accused the other of breaking into a dolphin center and “attempting to have relations.”
Caputo also grabbed the headlines throughout the years for donning a Grinch suit during the holiday season, handing out onions to speeders in school zones.
Caputo said he owes his success to his wife, who supported him all the way.
“I don’t care who you are or where you’re at in law enforcement or anything, without family, love and support, you can’t be successful because you worry too much,” he said.
While his career at the sheriff’s office is complete, Caputo will stay in the public eye as he continues to perform with his fellow musicians in the Mangrove Swamp Band. He’s also a key member with Leadership Monroe County.
FDOT wants a northbound and two southbound lanes open
Two Florida Highway Patrol vehicles guide an ambulance through a congested U.S. 1 at MM 95 in Key Largo on Feb. 25. Using a loudspeaker, troopers could be heard far from the road in a nearby neighborhood telling motorists to move and make room for the emergency vehicle.
Weekly
JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com
Contractors beginning a $57 million water line replacement project in the Upper Keys were halted on Feb. 25, after state transportation officials told the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority to open lanes that were closed to alleviate major traffic congestion.
A traffic pattern change from MM 90 in Islamorada north through Tavernier disrupted motorists. Crews were preparing to install a water main underwater at Tavernier Creek Bridge — a roughly three-month project — before proceeding to place new, 36-inch pipes into the ground on the northbound side of U.S. 1 through Plantation Key.
Northbound traffic was diverted into a southbound lane on U.S. 1 between Coral Shores High School and the traffic light at Tavernier Towne Center to make room for the work by FKAA contractors. An area usually flowing with four lanes of traffic was decreased to two lanes.
Congestion due to the new traffic pattern resulted in backups extending five miles in both directions, as well as travel times increasing from 15 minutes to nearly two hours for some motorists on Feb. 24. Southbound traffic was backed up more than seven miles the next morning.
Traffic management in the work zone, which was implemented by the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority and its contractor, was approved by the Florida Department of Transportation.
“We are gauging this as a disaster and a concern for public safety,” Sheriff Rick Ramsay told Keys Weekly regarding the traffic situation before FDOT’s order.
Greg Veliz, FKAA executive
direc-
tor, told Keys Weekly on Feb. 26 that FDOT wants one northbound lane and two southbound lanes open to traffic as contractors work to install new water main transmission in the area of Tavernier Creek Bridge. Veliz said FKAA remains in contact with FDOT with the goal of keeping the project moving. It’s not known exactly when it will resume.
“I would have preferred not to pull the project and make the adjustments as needed,” Veliz said. “The severity of traffic and proximity to school … it was the perfect storm. We could have done better.
“This is not an optionable project,” Veliz continued. “This is something that has to happen. We timed it so when we do the open cut in front of the high school it’s in the summer. Otherwise that would be highly impactful if we did that during the school year.”
During a Feb. 25 meeting, Monroe County school board members acknowledged that they’d like to see the project go forward as planned to avoid any major disruptions at Coral Shores High School and Plantation Key School in the fall.
FKAA says the project ensures clean drinking water for the coming decades. Current pipes are well past their lifespan, meaning they’re susceptible to corrosion and breaks such as the ones witnessed in Islamorada in 2023. Work to replace aged water main transmission was successfully completed from Tea Table Relief at MM 79.5 up through Windley Key last year.
Questions about the project should be directed to FKAA at 305296-2425 or email at www.fkaa. com/307/Contact-the-FKAA; and FDOT at 800-226-2368 or email at fdotmiamidade.com.
Staff from your Monroe County Public Library recommend some of their favorites from the collection.
What: “Pee-Wee’s Playhouse” (1986-1990)
Why: A year after Tim Burton’s quirky feature film debut in “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure” came this intentionally kitschy children’s show that acts as a throwback to ’50s programs like “Howdy Doody.” If you’re a boomer, you should appreciate the vintage programs it’s parodying. If you’re a millennial, you likely grew up with this Saturday mornings on CBS (and it holds up, with some surprisingly hilarious adult humor). If you’re Generation Z, then the peculiar storylines mingled with the wild aesthetic should be appealing. It’s a fun time, and the crazy amount of guest stars who crop up make this even more of a treat.
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.
Recommended by: Kelvin Cedeño, library assistant, Islamorada library branch.
See previous Reel Recs at keyslibraries.org/post/reel-recs.
Staff from your Monroe County Public Library recommend some of their favorites from the collection.
What: “The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi” by Shannon Chakraborty
Why: Romantasy is all the rage with the “Fourth Wing” and “A Court of Thorns and Roses” series. This isn’t exactly that, but it is a female-centered fantasy adventure, set on the seas of the Indian Ocean in the 12th century. Amina al-Sirafi is a retired pirate, living peacefully with her mother and daughter. Naturally, she is dragged into one last mission, to save one of her former crewmates and earn a fortune for her family. Naturally, things go sideways pretty quickly. This book is in the tradition of tales from this time and world, but also something entirely new. Most importantly, it’s entertaining throughout, living up to the “adventure” in the title.
Where: You can borrow this as a print book, e-book or e-audiobook from the Monroe County Public Library.
How: You can request books, including e-books and e-audiobooks, 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/postshelf-help.
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By Layne Fargo
At 4 years old, Katarina Shaw was mesmerized watching the Olympic champion Sheila Lin win her second gold medal. That day she told her father she wanted to learn to ice skate. Living in an obscure town on the outskirts of Lake Michigan, the family didn’t have much. Her abusive addict brother Liam and the loss of her mother left little happiness in the home. But her father supported her dreams and managed to get Kat lessons at the local rink. There she met 10-year-old Heath Rocha, a sad, sweet boy in foster care. Skating became their escape and their friendship saved his life. Heath moved in with Kat’s family, and as their dreams became reality, Heath would follow Kat to the ends of the earth to make her happy. Landing in Los Angeles at the Lin Academy was the ultimate coup. Beyond grateful, Heath and Kat stopped questioning why Bella and Garrett, the famous, wealthy Lin twins, would want their competition so close. Kat’s fixation on Olympic gold eventually trumped all emotions and decisions. Friendship, betrayal and dreams of victory – these young skaters would do whatever it takes to get the gold.
First and foremost a reader, she has reviewed hundreds of books on her blog www. readingandeating. com. And, more recently, this new Keys resident has also begun writing.
By Megan Tady Wylie’s
mother Claudine Potts is a world champion Olympic alpine skier. But Wylie hasn’t spoken to the GOAT in years. Claudine’s father Kipper was also a champion, and from the time she learned to walk, Wylie was expected to be one too. But when Wylie finally succumbed to debilitating panic attacks, she disappeared from the skiing world. Studying art and working in a quiet museum in the Berkshires was a safe existence for a girl who could not breathe in the spotlight. Her boyfriend Dan, also her personal trainer, controls every meal and workout and enters them into a duo fitness competition in Berlin. What began as a quest for prize money becomes a mission to prove to her overambitious mother that she too can be a winner. When Dan unexpectedly drops out, Wylie turns to Claudine to be her partner. They set off on an adventure that quickly becomes a trip down memory lane and an opportunity to examine how Wylie’s skiing career destroyed more than just Olympic dreams. This quirky cast of characters stranded in the snowy Alps is filled with friendship, romance and a mother and daughter who are more alike than they think.
By Tracey Lange
Kyle McCray
is back in Potsdam. After two and a half lonely years wandering, Kyle is notified that his dad had a stroke. Despite barely making it through their chilly past, he dutifully returns to help his father recuperate. When Kyle left town at the behest of his ex-wife Casey, he disappointed a lot of people. After experiencing an unimaginable tragedy, there was no choice but to disappear – the pain was simply too much. Kyle is surprised to find open arms welcoming him back, from his hockey coach and former employees to old-time neighbors that watched him leave. Except Casey. Always the diplomat, she is polite, but an unflinching wall remains, blocking any emotions they shared over the years. When Kyle has an opportunity to save the beloved middle school hockey team, he extends his stay and falls comfortably back into old routines and the spirit of teamwork. With its raw emotion, compelling characters and an underdog spirit that shines both on and off the ice, this novel isn’t just about hockey — it’s about love, loss and the ties that pull us home. An unforgettable read that will leave your heart both aching and full.
“Spinning Out” follows Kat Baker, a rising figure skater ready to quit after a devastating fall. But when she gets a chance to partner with a rebellious bad boy, she risks everything — including a dark secret that could destroy her. As they battle injuries, sacrifices and struggles, the road to Olympic glory becomes a high-stakes fight for survival — on and off the ice. Check out this cool skating series on Netflix.
March 4 is National Grammar Day. The special day was started in 2008 by Martha Brockenbrough because she wanted to help her students with grammar in a positive way.
This week, The Mini Page reminds us of ways to use good grammar both in writing and speaking.
WHAT IS GRAMMAR?
Grammar is a set of rules for how language is structured. The rules may be about sentences, phrases and words. The oldest book about grammar was written more than 2,000 years ago. As languages change, grammar changes, too.
You can speak your native language without learning much grammar, but grammar can help a student learn a foreign language more quickly and easily.
EXAMPLES OF GRAMMAR
English grammar has some basic guidelines that demonstrate good grammar. Here are a few:
• A sentence begins with a capital letter and ends with a period, question mark or exclamation mark.
When will you come home?
• Most sentences have subject-verb-object structure.
John loves Mary.
ADJECTIVE, APOSTROPHE, EXCLAMATION, FOREIGN, GRAMMAR, HOMOPHONE, LANGUAGE, NATIVE, OBJECT, PERIOD, PHRASE, PROPER, QUESTION, RULES, SENTENCE, SPEAK, STRUCTURE, VERB, WORD, WRITE.
Founded by Betty Debnam
We can speak and write more clearly when we use proper grammar.
• The subject and verb must agree in number.
Sam works downtown.
Grace and Grant love jigsaw puzzles.
• Adjectives (words describing nouns) are usually placed before the noun. This is different in some other languages, such as Spanish.
The Millers have a huge dog!
¡Los Millers tienen un perro enorme!
• In English, many words that sound the same (homophones) are spelled differently and have different meanings. Do you know the difference between these homophones?
Their, they’re, there
Its, it’s
Your, you’re
• Proper nouns, which are the names of things or people, are spelled with a capital letter.
The class wrote a letter to Elise after her surgery.
• An apostrophe is used to show possession, but where it is placed matters.
One boy: The boy’s dog ran away.
More than one boy: The boys’ dog ran away.
• Apostrophes can also be used in contractions, such as aren’t (are not) and shouldn’t (should not).
Words that remind us of grammar are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find:
Can you figure out the answers to these grammar questions?
1. Find the object in the following sentence: Mom bought a watermelon.
2. What is the pronoun in this sentence? Alice loves to play with her toys.
3. Can you find the contractions in these sentences? Petra can’t ride a bike yet. She’s only 2.
4. Identify the adjectives in this sentence: We traveled down a long, winding road.
5. Circle the correct word choice in this sentence: Brent and Jan are going to sell they’re/ their/there car next month.
6. Insert the correct punctuation at the end of this sentence: How many doughnuts did you eat __
7. Find the proper noun in this sentence: Austin finished his quiz quickly.
8. Circle the correct word choice in this sentence: Fiona read too/two/to books over the weekend.
9. Can you see what’s wrong with this sentence? We have’nt been to the movies for weeks.
10. Circle the correct word in this sentence: My classmates is/are really smart!
On the Web:
• bit.ly/MPMichigan
At the library:
• “The Legend of Michigan” by Trinka Hakes Noble
• “Building the Bridge School” by Laura A. Stewart
The Iberian lynx, once on the brink of extinction with fewer than 50 mature animals left in the wild two decades ago, has become a global conservation success story, with wild populations now surpassing 2,000 across Spain and Portugal. Once devastated by habitat loss, hunting and a sharp decline in the number of rabbits (the lynx’s primary prey), it faced near-total extinction by the early 2000s. Europe’s LIFE LynxConnect project has aided the species’ recovery by enhancing genetic diversity, increasing population size and expanding the lynx’s range.
Thiery goes lights-out against Marathon | P.8
Team Sport
Coral Shores Baseball Keys Gate 2/18 L, 8-7
Marathon Baseball Silver Palms 2/18 L, 6-1
Key West Softball Palmetto 2/18 W, 13-3
Key West Boys Lacrosse Coral Reef 2/18 W, 12-7
Key West Girls Lacrosse Coral Shores 2/19 W, 16-4
Coral Shores Boys Lacrosse St. Brendan 2/19 L, 9-8
Marathon Softball South Homestead 2/20 W, 27-14
Coral Shores Softball Palmer Trinity 2/20 L, 15-0
Coral Shores Baseball Marathon 2/20 W, 2-0
Key West Softball Somerset Canyons 2/20 W, 10-0
Coral Shores Baseball Silver Palms 2/21 W, 15-8
Coral Shores Boys Lacrosse Archbishop McCarthy 2/21 W, 5-3
Key West Baseball Miami Christian 2/21 L, 5-4
Key West Boys Lacrosse Palmetto 2/21 L, 9-2
Marathon Baseball Riviera Prep 2/21 W, 11-0
Key West Girls Lacrosse Coral Reef 2/21 W, 7-5
Coral Shores Girls Lacrosse Palmetto 2/21 L, 15-3
Key West Softball Westminster Christian 2/22 W, 2-1
Key West Girls Lacrosse Ransom Everglades 2/22 W, 14-13
Key West Softball Westminster Christian 2/22 L, 11-1
Key West Baseball Miami Christian 2/22 W,
He is a very hard worker that is committed to his craft and making his team better.”
– Joe Szymanski, Hurricanes head coach
When Coral Shores junior Donovan Thiery stepped onto the mound on Feb. 20 to face county rival Marathon, he shouldered enormous pressure. After his performance, it was clear that the time the 6’5” righty had put in during the offseason was worth it. Thiery faced 19 batters last Thursday, striking out 11 over six innings, giving up a single hit with no walks. His spectacular outing on the mound was integral in the win. The following night, he went on the offensive against Somerset Silver Palms, going 4 for 5 at the plate with a pair of singles, a double and a home run for six RBIs against the Stallions. For his dominance on the diamond and near-perfect performances last week, Coral Shores’ Donovan Thiery is the Keys Weekly Athlete of the Week.
fled to the Keys from the frozen mountains of Pennsylvania hours after graduating from college and never looked back. She is a second-generation coach and educator, and has taught in the public school system for over 25 years. She and her husband met at a beginning teacher meeting in 1997 and have three children born and raised in Monroe County. In her free time, McDonald loves flea markets, historical fiction and long runs in the heat.
sean mcdonald
grew up in Miami and moved to the Keys in 1997. He has spent the last 25 years teaching physical education and coaching virtually every sport for Florida Keys kids ages 4 to 18. If you are reading this and live or lived in the Florida Keys, he has probably taught, coached, or coached against someone you know.
Marathon - Alex Rickert alex@keysweekly.com
Upper Keys - Jim McCarthy jim@keysweekly.com
Key West - Mandy Miles mandy@keysweekly.com
The Keys Weekly Sports Wrap is proud to be the only locally-owned publication providing prep sports coverage from Key Largo to Key West. Together with our writers and photographers, we are committed to providing a comprehensive overview of the world of Keys sports with photography that allows our readers to immerse themselves in game action.
Publisher / Jason Koler jason@keysweekly.com
Publishing Partner / Britt Myers britt@keysweekly.com
Managing Editor / Alex Rickert alex@keysweekly.com
Copy Editor / Mike Howie mike@keysweekly.com
Business Development Patti Childress patti@keysweekly.com
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Stephanie Mitchell stephanie@keysweekly.com
Production Manager Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com
Executive Administrator Charlotte Hruska char@keysweekly.com
Graphic Design Javier Reyes javier@keysweekly.com
Web Master / Travis Cready travis@keysweekly.com
Classifieds / Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com 305.743.0844
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.
All stories, photos, and graphics are copyrighted materials.
Coral Shores’ Costa Tuttle celebrates his district championship win in the 106-pound division. Key West’s Donald Kirkpatrick, left, brought home the bronze. CONTRIBUTED
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Office: 305.743.0844 www.keysweekly.com
On Feb. 20, eight teams sent their best athletes to Tavernier for the FHSAA 1A District 16 Championships in boys wrestling. For the 16th consecutive season, Chaz Jimenez’s Conchs won the team title. The hosts, Coral Shores, finished third. All 14 Conchs earned a shot at regionals by placing in the top four at districts. Eight Hurricanes did the same, and three wrestlers finishing fifth will have a chance for an at-large bid to the next level of competition.
District champions for Key West were Lazaro Diaz at 126 pounds, Abram Canet at 132, Kyle Condella at 144 and Alfredo Corrales at 175. Second-place finishes came from Zander Font (113), Elvis Garcia (138) and James Searcy (150). Michael Guzman (165), Jakobe Williamson (190), Jacob Ferguson (120) and Alexandre Allens (285) placed third. Donald Kirkpatrick (106), Reisel Toledo (157) and Sanford Horn (214) placed fourth.
For Coral Shores, Costa Tuttle is the new district champ at 106 pounds. Sebastian McCoy (120), David Beltran (150) and Finn McDonough (157) all won district championships in their classes as well. Joining them at regionals will be Joseph Luciano, who placed third at 215, and Ethan Struhs (126), Sterling Keefe (165) and Andrew Grgek (285), who each finished fourth. Lucas Cossio (132), Jeremiah Ortiz (144) and Jack Brown (190), fifth-place winners at the tournament, all have a chance at the next round should they qualify for an at-large spot.
Regionals for both teams will be held at Cardinal Gibbons on Feb. 28 and March 1. At stake is a place in the FHSAA State Championship brackets. Athletes who successfully place at regionals will make the trip to the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee for states, which begin Mar. 6.
After dropping their season opener to Calvary Christian, Key West’s girls lacrosse team headed into their Feb. 19 game at Coral Shores with cautious optimism. The Conchs worked hard to control the tempo of the game and pulled out of the first quarter with a 5-1 advantage, which they stretched to a 16-4 win by the final
Coach Marisa Giacopuzzi described the team’s first win as a confidence-builder, adding, “It was a beautiful game, (with) so much chemistry between our returners and new players.”
Representing those returners in peak form was senior Kaitlyn Piloto, who scored five goals and was credited with one assist, five draw controls and three ground balls for the Conchs.
Colbie Turner scored four and Deanna Mercier three, contributing to the score and the leadership provided by the Lady Conchs’ upperclassmen. Freshman Mavis Bishop netted a pair of goals to represent the new players. Bishop also picked up five ground balls and won a draw control, making it clear the Conchs have plenty of depth to their roster this season. In all, Key West took 29 shots, finding the net on 16 of them.
Two nights later, Key West added win number two at Coral Reef in a 7-5 hard-fought game against the Cudas. Giacopuzzi chalked up the win, which she described as aggressive and at times ugly, as a learning experience for her team.
“We can only control ourselves, our actions and play the game Iʼve taught them to play,” she said.
Piloto and Mercier, the team’s captains, scored three and two goals, respectively. Piloto added five draw controls and Mercier assisted twice and won three draw controls. Juniors Taylor Gibson and Eisley Whitehead accounted for the other two goals. Courtney Grabus and Olivia Moore shared time in goal, combining for four saves in the win.
The next day, the Conchs came up short, falling 14-13 to the Ransom Everglades Raiders in another all-out battle. The very talented and equally aggressive Ransom crew finished the game down three players due to major fouls. Key West was up early in the game, but the Raiders steadily came back and were leading by the half. Key West did not give up, pulling ahead in quarter four to a 10-9 lead with 10 minutes left, but Ransom was able to set the tempo and control the game, pulling off the win in the final minutes.
“We were down a few players this weekend and made some field adjustments that we hadnʼt practiced yet. We had four freshmen starting for us this weekend, with this being only their third and fourth actual lacrosse games,” said Giacopuzzi. “I am confident we will see Ransom in the district playoffs, and by the end of season, we will have evolved and can play another 46 minutes in hopes of a different outcome.”
The Lady Conchs’ defenders stepped up in the game and were praised for their efforts despite the loss. Their collective forced turnovers kept the Conchs in the game until the end. Adrianna Dall, Turner and Ashlyn Picco were credited with solid play on defense. Turner also scored four goals with an assist offensively. Mercier scored four and Piloto two, with the remaining goals coming from Gibson, Whitehead and Teagan Shea. Bishop earned an assist and an interception in the game. Grabus had five saves, a pair of ground balls and an interception in goal. Moore had a pair of saves during her time in goal. The 2-2 Conchs finished out their final of five road games Feb. 25 (results not available at press time), then play at home for the first time this season on Friday, Feb. 28 at 5 p.m. against Westminster Christian.
Marathon, Somerset Silver Palms and Keys
Gate traveled to Tavernier on Feb. 19 to join Coral Shores for a boys weightlifting meet. The Fins and Hurricanes tied for first in Olympic lifts, with Marathon edging out Coral Shores for the win in the traditional event. The Keys teams won all but two of the 10 weight classes, with all eight winners taking first in both the traditional and Olympic events.
Coral Shores’ Nick Brown (119 pounds) and Xavier Johnson (183) won their respective weight classes. Marathon had winners in Chase Leird (129), Matthias Martinez-Velez (154), Damian Stasiewicz (169), Max Childress (199), Tanner Ross (219) and Braulio Garcia (238).
Though the girls just returned from their state championships, it is still early in the season for boys weightlifting in Florida. Consequently, most athletes are not yet maxing out, or lifting their top weights, for the individual events. In addition to growing stronger as the season progresses, athletes are coached to hold off on their maximum lifts as a measure of safety as they perfect their form and also to peak at the appropriate time, which is districts. Despite this, some of the more seasoned athletes’ numbers are looking very impressive. The top bench press last week was 270 pounds, achieved by Marathon’s Eduardo Garcia and Tanner Ross. The top weights in both snatch and clean also came from Ross, with a 185-pound snatch and 250-pound clean.
Districts for boys weightlifting begin the final week of March, with states scheduled for April 11 and 12 this year.
Damian Stasiewicz was one of 10 Keys weight class winners in both traditional and Olympic lifts in a Feb. 19 quad meet. BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly
Coral Shores made the trip to the Southernmost City on Feb. 18 to take on the Conchs in boys and girls tennis. The Hurricane boys won 5-2, with wins coming from their top four players in singles. Aidan Althouse, Erik Moerner, Zach Bolano and Jaden Heilbron all picked up wins for Coral Shores. Althouse and Max Smith teamed up in the No. 1 doubles match for win number five. Key West’s Mason Martel won the No. 5 singles match while Wyatt Bowtels and Hubert Konopka won in No. 2 doubles for Key West’s second point.
The Lady Conchs won 6-1, with Eva Drozdetskaia, Gabriella Aguero, Hamida Mohsinova and Leyla Atilla winning the No. 1 through 4 singles matches. Drozdetskaia and Aguero and Mohsinova and Atilla teamed up for wins in No. 1 and 2 doubles. Kai Redruello scored the lone point for the Lady ’Canes, winning the No. 5 singles match.
The Coral Shores Hurricanes and Key West Conchs trade wins on the courts on Feb. 18. The boys emerged victorious for Coral Shores, while the girls took the win for Key West. MAICEY MALGRAT/Keys Weekly
Lady Fins open with 27-run barrage
The Lady Conchs opened their softball season at Miami Palmetto on Feb. 18, making quick work of the Panthers in a five inning, 13-3 mercy-rule win. Brianna Brenner went the distance pitching, striking out seven of 21 batters faced, walking just two and allowing four hits. Offensively, Arianna Garcia led the team with a pair of doubles. Shylo Sanchez had two hits as well. Lucy Katz and Kaleaya Dickerson both tripled while Mia Waldner and Skye Sterling doubled. Chloe Kongos, Vera Rodger, Aaliyah McLeod and Alexa Condella all had base hits to make it an even dozen for Key West.
Their next victim was Somerset Academy Canyons. The Conchs made the trip to Boynton Beach to face the Cougars Feb. 20 and brought home another mercy-rule victory, winning 10-0. Ryleigh Harnish got the start at pitcher, striking out seven batters, walking two and allowing three hits from the 16 batters she faced. Condella and Sterling had the hot bats, registering a single and a double each. Tavyn Gage had a pair of hits and drove in two runs. The Lady Conchs added another dozen hits in all to their stats and were perfect in the field during the road win.
The traveling continued Feb. 22 in a doubleheader at Westminster Christian School. There, Key West split with the Warriors, winning the first game 2-1 and losing the second 11-1. In the win, Brenner faced 27 Warriors at the plate, striking out eight, walking one and giving up six hits. Sterling, Rodger and Lilee Gage had a pair of hits apiece, with one of Rodger’s being a double. Key West racked up eight total hits against the Warriors in the victory.
After a short break, the teams faced off again to a much different result. This time around, the Warriors piled on double-digit hits while the Conch bats went dormant. Waldner doubled while Sanchez and Sterling added a single each to account for Key West’s three hits. Harnish struck out four in the loss. Key West continues its travels this week and will host Ransom Everglades for the home opener on March 8.
Marathon opened the season at home Feb. 20 against the Hurricanes of Somerset South Homestead. The Lady Fins won 27-14 after pouring on 13 runs in the first inning alone. Sophomore Sara Robinson led the team offensively with three hits, including a triple. Trinity McLeod, Maeve Merryman and Madelyn Thornton picked up two hits apiece in the big win. Elena Eubank stole five bases while Merryman stole four to keep the pressure on the Hurricanes. Thornton struck out five, walked 12 and gave up three hits in her first appearance in the circle for the Fins. The game lasted four-and-a-half innings, ending in a decisive mercy-rule victory for Marathon.
Coral Shores lost its regular-season opener against Palmer Trinity School Feb. 20. The Lady Hurricanes fell to the Falcons 15-0.
Aperfect storm of lights-out pitching, error-free fielding and bats ablaze gave Coral Shores the advantage over Marathon on Feb. 20 when the Hurricanes topped the Dolphins 2-0 in front of an excited home crowd.
Donovan Thiery was stingy on the mound, giving up just one hit with no walks while fanning 11 Fins in six spectacular innings. Riley O’Berry threw one inning of relief to close out Coral Shores’ win. Campbell Lavoie was 3-3 at the plate, Mason Clark added a pair of hits and AJ Putetti and O’Berry added one each. Clark batted in both of the Hurricanes’ runs.
The game, scoreless through three-and-a-half innings, broke open in the bottom of the fourth when a pair of errors, a walk and a hit batter resulted in two runs for Coral Shores. Despite a fairly even matchup between the teams, the Fins paid dearly for several unfortunately-timed errors.
“The biggest difference is that we had zero errors in the game and Donovan struck out 11 of the 18 batters he faced, only allowing one base runner on one hit in the first inning,” said Hurricanes head coach Joe Szymanski.
Fins coach Joey Gonzalez agreed. “Our defensive miscues across the course of the game proved to be the difference as both runs that were plated in the entire game came from errors on our end.” Despite the rivalry, Gonzalez had praise for Thiery, as well. “Tuesday's game against Coral Shores was a true pitchers’ duel between Donovan Thiery and Dylan Williams. Any time you run into a pitcher of Donovan's caliber, you just have to tip your cap; he had one heck of an evening and found a way to keep us off-balance all night. Our sophomore Dylan Williams also did a tremendous job keeping us in the ball game, only giving up two unearned runs across five frames while striking out seven. He battled and worked out of numerous jams,” said Gonzalez.
Confident after their win over Marathon, the Hurricanes traveled to Somerset Silver Palms, where they padded their stats with an incredible 20 hits against the Stallions. Thiery registered four hits in five at bats, including a double and a home run, batting in six of the Hurricanes’ runs in the 15-8 win. Putetti added three hits, including a double and a home run. Maykol Bonito registered three singles and four RBIs while Lavoie, O’Berry, Keller Blackburn and Grady Temkin each had two hits. Clark and Derek Ramos accounted for the final two. Six pitchers saw action against the Stallions, who, despite 11 hits and four walks against Coral Shores, could not overcome their six errors and the steady stream of Hurricane hits.
Marathon recovered from the loss to Coral Shores by defeating a visiting Riviera Prep 11-0 in a mercy-rule win. Gavin Leal and Jack Chapman each had two of Marathon’s 10 hits. Mason Thornton, Dylan Williams, Reef Rella, Gabe Leal, Jason Stubblefield and Bryan Broche accounted for the rest. The Fins stole nine bases to keep the Bulldogs on their toes. Gabe Leal earned the win on the mound, pitching four innings, fanning three, walking one and allowing just one hit. Shane Dieguez closed out the final inning to boost the Fins to 4-3 and give the team some much-needed confidence heading into this week, when they face a pair of unbeaten teams, starting with Ransom Everglades and then NSU University School.
The Victors of Miami Christian paid Key West a visit Feb. 21 and 22 for a pair of games at Rex Weech Field. In game number one, the Conchs gave every indication that fans would watch their hometown heroes take down another highly-ranked team. Vinnie Moline faced just three batters in inning one, and the Conchs’ defense quickly dispatched them all. Key West would remain error-free for the duration of the game.
In Key West’s first at-bat, sophomore Roman Garcia would score first after being hit with a pitch, then advancing on singles from Caden Pichardo and Sam Holland. The Victors got out of the inning, leaving three Conchs stranded on base. Miami Christian tied it up in the bottom of the first, then Key West slowly pulled ahead with one run in each of the fourth, fifth and sixth innings. The Victors scored one in the sixth to make the score 4-2 in favor of the Conchs.
In the top of the seventh, Miami Christian’s patience paid off. Two walks and a hit batter loaded the bases, then a second hit batter brought the Victors one run closer. With two outs, a Miami Christian batter singled, driving in two runs before Key West retired the side. In their last at-bat, the Conchs managed to get one on base via a Jackson Bernhard single, but he would not reach home and Key West would have to settle for a 5-4 loss at the hands of the aptly-named Victors.
The Conchs came back with a vengeance the following night, surging to a quick lead in the first when Garcia homered on a line drive to left field. They added two more in inning two off of a single, three walks and a sacrifice fly. The Victors put one run on the board in the third, then orchestrated a comeback in the fourth, fueled by four walks and a hit batter. The Victors would hold on to their lead as the Conchs went four consecutive innings without a player crossing the plate. In the bottom of the seventh, facing a second loss to the Victors, the Conchs put together a comeback of their own.
Marathon and Coral Shores renew their rivalry on the diamond on Feb. 20. The home team prevailed as the Hurricanes notched a 2-0 win over the visiting Dolphins. RACHEL RUSCH/Keys Weekly
Jackson Bernhard started things off with a walk; then, with one out, Kade Maltz singled to advance Bernhard to second. The Victors swapped out their pitcher in hopes of holding on, but Garcia caught a piece of one, sending a hard ground ball to the outfield to bring the tying run home. With runners on first and second, the Victors made out number two, then intentionally walked Sam Holland to load the bases. Auggy Davila, behind in the count, connected for a shot deep into left field, scoring two for a thrilling Conch win and giving Key West a 3-1 record as they prep for NSU University School on Feb. 28 and March 1. The Sharks are 6-0 this season, and have earned a high ranking in the state, but the Conchs will have the advantage of their home turf and a sneak peek as NSU plays Marathon the night before.
“Any time you run into a pitcher of Donovan’s caliber, you just have to tip your cap.”
— Joey Gonzalez
Marathon and Coral Shores traveled to Miami Feb. 21 for the annual Spartan Invitational held at Miami’s Southridge Park. The Fins and ’Canes joined a pack of 26 teams to compete in the various events, and when the final race was complete in the 12-hour meet, two local athletes came out on top.
Marathon’s Justice Lee, fresh off her trip to the state championships in weightlifting, took little time to transfer her strength from the weight room to the track.
The junior hurler unleashed a javelin throw that sailed 100’9” for a first-place finish and 10 team points.
Fellow junior Ava Merryman claimed a first of her own in the pole vault competition, clearing 7’10.5,” and though it was far from her best, there was no need to continue after she outperformed the rest of the pack. Teammate Samantha Batzer, also a junior, was third in the vault. Senior Caylie Globe was sixth in the long jump, picking up three team points for her efforts. Marathon’s girls finished a respectable seventh place out of the pack.
The boys team did not see an individual winner, but senior Vance Bursa managed a new PR in the 1,600-meter race. Bursa completed his four laps in 4:32, finishing fourth. Back at home, Bursa went on to run a 37:57 10K, then a 17:10 5K a few hours later to win both events at the Sombrero Beach Run. The Fins picked up the rest of their points in the pole vault, with a third-place finish from sophomore Cullen Coleman-Sayer and a fourth from seventhgrader Maverick McDonald.
The Fins were not the only athletes picking up points last week. Coral Shores’ Ali Wheatley placed third overall in the 3,200, finishing the two-mile run, the first of her high school career, in a very respectable 12:10.
Regular-season track and field meets run through the first week in April in Florida, with districts beginning April 16. The season culminates in Jacksonville at the University of North Florida on May 9 and 10.
Marathon’s Ava Merryman wins the girls pole vault competition at the Spartan Invitational on Feb. 21. RICK MACKENZIE/Keys Weekly
FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of MKM Digital Marketing located at 127 Indian Mound Trail, Tavernier, FL 33070 intends to register said name with the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.
By: Melina Miller, LLC
Publish: February 27, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of Save Alligator Lighthouse located at 217 Matecumbe Avenue, Islamorada, FL 33036 intends to register said name with the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.
By: Friends of the Pool, Inc.
Publish: February 27, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE
Notice of Seizure that in accordance with Florida Statues 83.805 / 83.506, Tavernier Mini Storage, 135 Hood Ave., Tavernier, Florida 33070 will sell or otherwise will dispose of the personal contents of the following unit to satisfy the delinquent storage lien.
All Contents in: Unit D-45 –Richard Estevez Sale of all goods will be 3/10/25 at 10:00 am at 135 Hood Ave., Tavernier, Florida 33070. Tavernier Mini Storage reserves the right to accept or reject any and all bids.
Publish: February 20 & 27, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE 11TH STREET OCEAN MINI STORAGE
Notice is here by given that on March 8th, 2025 at 10:00 a.m., 11th Street Ocean Mini Storage will be offering for sale under the Judicial Lien Process, by Public Auction, the following storage units. The Terms of the sale will be cash only. 11th Street Ocean Mini Storage does reserve the right to refuse any bids. The sales will be held at 200 11th Street, Ocean, Marathon, Florida 33050. Units to be sold: Unit #20
Publish: February 27 and March 6, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO. 25-CP-13-K
IN RE: ESTATE OF MARY ANN FINLAY, Deceased. NOTICE TO CREDITORS TO ALL PERSONS HAVING CLAIMS OR DEMANDS AGAINST THE ABOVE ESTATE: The administration of the Estate of Mary Ann Finlay, deceased, File No. 25-CP-13-K, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 502 Whitehead St, Key West, FL 33040. The name and address 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 the clerk of the Circuit
The Monroe County Tourist Development Council has funding available to governmental entities and non-profit organizations for capital projects.
The project/facility must have the primary purpose of promoting tourism and must fall into one of the following categories:
Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is Address: 502 Whitehead St, Key West, FL 33040 ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.
All other creditors of the decedent and persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with this court WITHIN THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA PROBATE CODE WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.
The Personal Representative or Curator has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent's death by the decedent or the decedent's surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216732.228, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211. The date of first publication of this Notice is February 27, 2025.
Dated at Miami-Dade County, Florida this 12th day of February, 2025.
Personal Representative: EDWARD W. FINLAY
Attorney for Personal Representative: M. BARBARA AMARO ESQ. FBN 611298 156 Hillside Dr., Neptune, NJ 07753 8950 SW 74 Court, Suite 2201, A-19 Miami, FL 33156 (305) 384-7213 (888) 508-5215 Fax Barbara@AmaroProbateLaw. com
Publish: February 27 & March 6, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 25-CP-000026-P IN RE: ESTATE OF DOROTHY LEE BARTON Deceased.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The administration of the estate of DOROTHY LEE BARTON, deceased, whose date of death was June 24th, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is Plantation Key Courthouse, 88770 Overseas Highway, Suite 2, Plantation Key, FL 33070. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.
IN RE: ESTATE OF JAN P. JANNEN Deceased.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The administration of the estate of JAN P. JANNEN, deceased, whose date of death was February 2, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 3117 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.
All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.
All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA PROBATE CODE WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIOD 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: February 20, 2025.
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: February 18, 2025
Kevin Madok, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Jennifer Havengar
Deputy Clerk
Publish: February 27 and March 6, 13 & 20, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2024-DR-914-K
DIVISION: FAMILY TOMAS ZINDULKA, Petitioner, and WARD LEROY HAFNER, Respondent.
NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE (NO CHILD OR FINANCIAL SUPPORT) TO: WARD LEROY HAFNER
Respondent
Convention Center, Sports Stadium, Sports Arena, Coliseum, Auditorium, Aquarium, Museum, Zoological Park, Nature Center, Fishing Pier, Beach or Beach Park Facility, Channel, Estuary, or Lagoon, Public Facilities in Accordance with Conditions set forth in the Florida Statutes.
The deadline for receipt of applications is April 22, 2025, and applications must be downloaded from the County’s Bonfire platform.
For more information, please email Maxine@fla-keys.com.
Publish: February 13 & 27, March 13 & 27 and April 10, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers
Visit Florida Keys has funding available for those interested in applying for Destination or Turnkey event funding for events to take place between October 1, 2025 and September 30, 2026; or for pre-promotion funding for Destination events to take place between October 1, 2026 and December 31, 2026.
The deadline for receipt of applications is April 8, 2025, and applications must be downloaded from the County’s Bonfire platform.
For more information, please email Maxine@fla-keys.com.
Publish: February 13 & 27, March 13 & 27 and April 10, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers
All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent's death by the decedent or the decedent's surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216-732.228, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes.
ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.
The date of first publication of this notice is: February 20, 2025.
Personal Representative: SUSAN BARTON-WEIDA
25 South Exuma Road
Key Largo, FL 33037
Attorneys for Personal Representative: Palmer Palmer & Mangiero 12790 S. Dixie Hwy Miami, FL 33156
Telephone: (305) 378-0011
Florida Bar No. 818119
Email Addresses: eservice@ ppmpalaw.com david@ppmpalaw.com
Publish: February 20 & 27, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 2024-CP-19-M
Personal Representative: STEVEN P. JANNEN 133 Sunridge Ave. Camillus, NY 13031 Attorney for Personal Representative: URBAN J. W. PATTERSON, ESQ. Email: ujwplaw@gmail.com Secondary Email: ujwplawfirm@yahoo.com
Florida Bar No. 382035
Urban J. W. Patterson, P.A. P.O. Box 783 Islamorada, Florida 33036 Telephone: 305-664-5065 Publish: February 20 & 27, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 16TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 24-DR-941-P JON KONRAD, Petitioner, and JONATHON RANDOLPH, Respondent. NOTICE OF ACTION FOR ADOPTION TO: JONATHON RANDOLPH RESPONDENT’S LAST KNOWN ADDRESS: 9323 WELBY TERRACE, THORNTON, CO 80229 YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action for Adoption has been filed against you and that you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on Jon Konrad, whose address is 103041 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037 on or before March 27, 2025, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 88770 Overseas Highway, Suite 2, Tavernier, FL 33070, 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. 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
NON-JUDICIAL TIMESHARE FORECLOSURE PROCESS TO: Unit Owner(s) Last Known Address Unit Week(s) Amount due:
Dale A Bradley and Catherine E Bradley 7781 Union Street Mentor, OH 44060
A101/18
$2,958.75
Skyler Clabough 7300 Charlott Drive Knoxville, TN 37924
B202/39
$1,517.30
John W Cummings 109 Poland Hill Place Lafayette, IN 47909
B201/03
$6,443.14 B201/04
$6,443.14 B201/47
$6,443.14 A202/21
$6,443.14
LAST KNOWN ADDRESS: 3806 CINDY AVENUE KEY WEST, FLORIDA 33040 YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action for dissolution of marriage has been filed against you and that you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on the Petitioner, TOMAS ZINDULKA, through his counsel of record Samuel J. Kaufman, Esq., The Law Offices of Samuel J. Kaufman, P.A., whose address is 3130 Northside Drive, Key West, Florida 33040 on or before March 13, 2025, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at the following address: 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040, before service on the 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: February 6, 2025 Kevin Madok, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Destiny Johnson
Deputy Clerk Publish: February 13, 20 & 27 and March 6, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers
NOTICE
David B Denholtz and Rhonda J Denholtz 13231 Shetland Lane Ft Myers, FL 33912 D202/31 $2,951.14 D202/32 $2,951.14 Troy Gonyea and Michelle Gonyea 16 Silver Street Meriden, CT 06450 E102/20 $1,514.85 Jennifer L Hill 931 Cordova Avenue Ormond Beach, FL 32174 C101/21 $5,402.08 Ralph W Hoffman 21225 Railroad Avenue High Springs, FL 32643 B102/25
$1,517.30
Anita Holt
12 N 269 Factly Road West Sycamore, IL 60178
B102/50 $4,047.55
Lorraine Khoury 7545 Oso Blanca Road Las Vegas, NV 89149 B101/05
$4,712.06 B101/06
$4,712.06
Isadoro Perez and Miladys Perez 13460 SW 66th Street Southwest Ranches, FL 33330 A102/27
$2,960.14
Porter, LeVay & Rose, Inc 7 Pennsylvania Plaza #10 New York, NY 10001
E101/12
$4,048.94
Anne E Richardson 5000 S Centinela Ave #213 Los Angeles, CA 90066 B102/36
$2,960.14
Kennella L Rowzie 604 Deen Road Bunnell, FL 32110
C102/01
$1,516.58
Joseph A Viani and Mary Viani 7263 Halleck Street Viera, FL 32940
C201/40
$1,517.30
Louis J Wilder
405 Southwind Drive, Apt 1 North Palm Beach, FL 33408 YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED of an action for non-judicial foreclosure of timeshare units on the Claim of Lien on the following described real property, located in MONROE County, Florida, to-wit: Unit Numbers and Annual Timeshare Use Periods (as set forth above) in MARATHON KEY BEACH CLUB CONDOMINIUM II, and all appurtenances thereto, according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof, as recorded in Official Records Book 859, Page 786 of the Public Records of Monroe County, Florida and all amendments and exhibits thereto. has been filed against you. If you fail to cure the default as set forth in this notice or take other appropriate action with regard to this foreclosure matter, you risk losing
ownership of your timeshare interest through the trustee foreclosure procedure established in Section 721.855, Florida Statutes. You may choose to sign and send to the trustee an objection form, exercising your right to object to the use of the trustee foreclosure procedure. If you would like an Objection form, you should contact the undersigned Trustee, Thomas L Avrutis, Esquire, in writing. Upon the trustee’s receipt of your signed objection form, the foreclosure of the lien with respect to the default specified in this notice shall be subject to the judicial foreclosure procedure only. You have the right to cure your default in the manner set forth in this notice at any time before the trustee’s sale of your timeshare interest. Objections must be made in writing to:
Thomas L Avrutis, Esquire TRUSTEE FOR MARATHON KEY BEACH CLUB II ASSOCIATION, INC 201 Fletcher Avenue, Second Floor Sarasota, FL 34237 within 30 days of the first date of publication of this Notice. If you do not object to the use of the trustee foreclosure procedure, you will not be subject to a deficiency judgment even if the proceeds from the sale of your timeshare interest are insufficient to offset the amounts secured by the lien. Dated this _19th__ day of ___FEBRUARY_______, 2025.
Thomas L Avrutis, Esquire, TRUSTEE TRUSTEE for MARATHON KEY BEACH CLUB II ASSOCIATION, INC Publish: February 27 and March 6, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 16TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CIRCUIT CIVIL DIVISION CASE NO.: 25-CA-000047-P JAVIER CERVERA, Plaintiff, v. ERIC SOULAVY AND CRISTINA BEHRENS DE SOULAVY, Defendants. ____________________/ NOTICE OF ACTION TO DEFENDANTS, ERIC SOULAVY AND CRISTINA BEHRENS DE SOULAVY, AND ALL OTHERS WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action to foreclose a mortgage on the following property in Monroe County, Florida: Legal Description: Condominium Unit No. 33, of ANGLERS CLUB, a Condominium, according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof, as recorded in Official Records Book 1028, at Page 2375, of the Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and all amendments thereto, together with its undivided share in the common elements. a/k/a 50 Clubhouse Road #33, Key Largo, FL 33037 has been filed against you and you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on JORGE L. FORS, JR., FORS | ATTORNEYS AT LAW, the Plaintiff’s attorney, whose address is 1108 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Coral Gables, FL 33134, on or before 27th day of March, 2025 and file the original with the clerk of this court either before service on the Plaintiff's attorney or immediately thereafter; otherwise a default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the complaint or petition. DATED on this 18th day of February, 2025.
KEVIN MADOK, CPA
Clerk of the Court By:
Jennifer Havengar
Deputy
Clerk
Publish: February 27 & March 6, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CIVIL DIVISION Case#: 2012-CA-000363-K Federal National Mortgage Association Plaintiff, -vs.Joseph Patrick Clements a/k/a Joseph P. Clements and Debra Lynn Clements a/k/a Debra L. Clements a/k/a Debbie L. Clements; Branch Banking and Trust Company, Successor by Merger to Republic Bank; Iberiabank; Unknown Parties in Possession #1, If living, and all Unknown Parties claiming by, through, under and against the above named Defendant(s) who are not known to be dead or alive, whether said Unknown Parties may claim an interest as Spouse, Heirs, Devisees, Grantees, or Other Claimants; Unknown Parties in Possession #2, If living, and all Unknown Parties claiming by, through, under and against the above named Defendant(s) who are not known to be dead or alive, whether said Unknown Parties may claim an interest as Spouse, Heirs, Devisees, Grantees, or Other Claimants Defendant(s).
NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to order rescheduling foreclosure sale or Final Judgment, entered in Civil Case No. 2012-CA000363-K of the Circuit Court of the 16th Judicial Circuit in and for Monroe County, Florida, wherein Federal National Mortgage Association, Plaintiff and Joseph Patrick Clements
a/k/a Joseph P. Clements and Debra Lynn Clements
a/k/a Debra L. Clements
a/k/a Debbie L. Clements are defendant(s), I, Clerk of Court, Kevin Madok,CPA, will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash AT THE MONROE COUNTY COURTHOUSE, 500 WHITEHEAD STREET, KEY WEST, FL 33040, AT 11:00
A.M. on March 12, 2025, the following described property as set forth in said Final Judgment, to-wit: Property Address: 728 Prado Circle, Key West, FL 33040 LOT 23, BLOCK 2, AMENDED PLAT OF COPPITT SUBDIVISION, (A RESUBDIVISION OF PLAT BOOK 3, AT PAGE 116) LOCATED IN GOVERNMENT LOT 5, SECTION 27, TOWNSHIP 67 S., RANGE 26 E., BIG COPPITT KEY, MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 4, AT PAGE 50, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA. ANY PERSON CLAIMING AN INTEREST IN THE SURPLUS FROM THE SALE, IF ANY, OTHER THAN THE PROPERTY OWNER AS OF THE DATE OF THE LIS PENDENS MUST FILE A CLAIM NO LATER THAN THE DATE THAT THE CLERK REPORTS THE FUNDS AS UNCLAIMED. Florida Rules of Judicial Administration Rule 2.540
Notices to Persons With Disabilities If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact Cheryl Alfonso, ADA Coordinator, Court Operations Manager, 502 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040, 305-295-3652 at least 7 days
before your scheduled court appearance, or immediately upon receiving this notification if the time before the scheduled appearance is less than 7 days; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call 711.
SPANISH: Si usted es una persona discapacitada que necesita alguna adaptación para poder participar de este procedimiento o evento; usted tiene derecho, sin costo alguno a que se le provea cierta ayuda. Favor de comunicarse con Cheryl Alfonso, Coordinadora de A.D.A Court Operations Manager, 502 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040, 305-295-3652 por lo menos 7 días antes de que tenga que comparecer en corte o inmediatamente después de haber recibido ésta notificación si es que falta menos de 7 días para su comparecencia. Si tiene una discapacidad auditiva ó de habla, llame al 711.
KREYOL: Si ou se yon moun ki kokobé ki bezwen asistans ou aparêy pou ou ka patisipé nan prosedu sa-a, ou gen dwa san ou pa bezwen péyé anyen pou ou jwen on seri de èd. Tanpri kontakté Cheryl Alfonso, Co-ordinator ADA, Court Operations Manager, 502 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040, 305-295-3652O'mwen 7 jou avan ke ou gen pou-ou parèt nan tribunal, ou imediatman ke ou resevwa avis sa-a ou si lè ke ou gen pou-ou alé nan tribunal-la mwens ke 7 jou; Si ou pa ka tandé ou palé byen, rélé 711.
Kevin Madok, CPA CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT Monroe County, Florida By: Shonta McLeod Deputy Clerk of Court Publish: February 27 and March 6, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CIVIL ACTION CASE NO.: 24-CA-000958-K CANDANCE ILENE VALLADARES Individually Plaintiff, vs. Equity Link, INC. A California Incorporated Company NuView IRA, Inc. f/k/a/ Entrust Administration Services, Inc. A Florida Profit Corporation Warren Lloyd Holtzman IRA, MINDY SILVERSTEIN, Individually JOSE MIRANDA, Individually Defendants _____________/ AMENDED NOTICE OF ACTION FOR PUBLICATION
To: Equity Link, Inc., Registered Agent Kevin Costa Last known address: 4522 Old Spanish Trail, Jacksonville, FL 32257 YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that an action to Quiet Title and to remove the cloud from title of the real property described as: PART OF LOT 51 ACCORDING TO MCDONALD’S SURVEY OF PART OF STOCK ISLAND RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 1, PAGE 55 OF MONROE COUNTY PUBLIC RECORDS AND IS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: FROM THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF SAID BLOCK 51, GO WESTERLY ALONG THE NORTH LINE OF THIRD AVENUE A DISTANCE OF 250 FEET TO A POINT; THENCE AT RIGHT ANGLES AND NORTHERLY A DISTANCE OF 200 FEET TO A POINT; WHICH POINT IS THE POINT OF BEGINNING; THENCE CONTINUE NORTHERLY ALONG THE PROLONGATION OF THE PREVIOUSLY DESCRIBED COURSE A DISTANCE OF 70 FEET TO A POINT; THENCE AT RIGHT ANGLES AND WESTERLY A DISTANCE OF 125 FEET TO A POINT; THENCE AT RIGHT ANGLES AND SOUTHERLY A DISTANCE OF 70 FEET; THENCE AT RIGHT ANGLES EASTERLY A DISTANCE OF 125 FEET BACK TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA with a physical address of: 6430 Sunshine Street, Key West, FL 33040. Folio Number: 00126510-000000 has been filed against you and that you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it, on Eric J. Sanchez PA, Attorney for Plaintiff, whose address is 4960 SW 72nd Avenue, Suite 206, Miami, FL 33155, (786) 408-9681 on or before March 31, 2025, a date which is within thirty (30) days after the first publication of this Notice in The Keys Weekly and file the original with the Clerk of this Court at Freeman Justice Center, 302 Fleming Street., Key West, FL 33040, either before service on Plaintiff's attorney or immediately thereafter. If you fail to do so, a default and judgment will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint.
Dated: February 19, 2025
KEVIN MADOK, CPA, Clerk CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT
By: Shonta McLeod
Deputy Clerk
Publish: February 27 and March 6, 13 & 20, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
AUTOS ALL YEARS! Junk or Used Cars, Vans, Trucks. Runs or Not.$CASH 305-332-0483
AUTOS FOR SALE
PLACE YOUR CLASSIFIED AD FOR ONLY $25/WEEK FOR UP TO 5 LINES OF COPY. CALL 305-743-0844 TODAY!
2021 325 CC World Cat - low hours, very clean, new Spot Lock, new anchor puller, life raft, full cover, on a lift at Key Colony Beach. Call Harry 724-689-9085
2000 21' Hydra Sport Center Console w/200hp Johnson, trailer, cover, potty, jackets +. Located in Big Pine. Runs well. $7,400 Or Best Offer! Call 919-621-0544
GREAT DEAL: Key Largo 21' Deep V Center Console w/trailer. New 150hp motor & electronics. Ready to fish. PRICE REDUCED TO $20,000. Located in Marathon. 201-696-8906
BOAT
Boat Dockage for rent in Marathon. Private bay bottom, up to 40' boat, self containing, offshore water, car & dingy parking space provided. 305-610-8002
ALL KEYS GUTTER HIRING INSTALLERS
$25/$35hr - Major Holidays Off - BenefitsTavernier. Apply: call or text Jay 305-587-1581
Night Monitor – FREE Private Room in exchange for overnight availability at our Assisted Living Facility. 5 nights on, 5 nights off 10pm-8am plus weekly stipend, Drug & background screen required. www.westcare. com/join-our-team/
Groundskeeper/ Maintenance person, KCB, Sea Isle Condominium, 20 hrs. per week, $25 per hr., apply by e-mail to HardingThomasL@ aol.com, text or call 734-476-0531.
Receptionist for law firm in Marathon. Computer and writing skills. Call or email 305743-9428 or service@ floridakeyslaw.com.
Serve/Bartend on the ocean! The Cabana Club, an ocean front private swim club is seeking a customer service-oriented Server/ Bartender. Serve on pool deck, beach and/ or bar lounge. Open year round, 9:30am7pm daily. Full time/ Part time. Small friendly staff. Above average hourly wage plus tips.
Apply in person at 425 E. Ocean Dr. Key Colony Beach or call 404-2193359 and ask for Dave.
The Housing Authority of the City of Key West now hiring the following positions: Resident Care Supervisor with min. 3 yrs. experience of an LPN, CarpenterFT-KeyWest, Housing Manager- FT-Marathon, Housing Assistant FTKey West 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
Specialty Hardware of Marathon is looking for a full time person, hardware knowledge a must. Apply in person at 10730 Overseas Hwy Marathon. 305-743-3382 HIRED!!!
The SS Wreck & Galley Grill (mile marker 59) is looking for Bartenders and Servers, full or part time. Self-motivated, experience very helpful, quick learner, and team player. Salary includes 401k match up to 6%. Please call Nicole at 305433-0515 or email nicole@ themoongroupfl.com. HIRED!!!
PLACE YOUR CLASSIFIED AD FOR ONLY $25/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
HOUSING FOR RENT
2-3BR/2BA Beautiful home for year-round rental on Duck Key. Furnished, full size W/D, stainless steel appliances & granite countertops. Gorgeous pool with builtin bar stools, waterfall & Jacuzzi, 1 car garage, and covered porch for outdoor dining w/views of the canal. $3,400/ month. Avail. May 1st. Address: 243 W. Seaview Dr, Duck Key, MM 61. Text/call 774-263-8759 Email: dongamache@ comast.net RENTEDINONEMONTH!!
Studio House with Queen size bed available in Marathon. Furnished, kitchen, dining, newly renovated. No pets. $1,299 + utilities F/L/S 305-610-8002
PLACE YOUR CLASSIFIED AD FOR ONLY $25/WEEK FOR UP TO 5 LINES OF COPY. CALL 305-743-0844 TODAY!
FOR SALE: 7 Piece Bedroom Set. King size bed includes mattress, 2 night stands, entertainment center, armoire, & dresser w/ mirror. Located in Marathon. $1,000 Must pick up. 845-596-7279
RV Site For Rent in Marathon. Very quiet, gated property. Dockage available for sep. fee. No pets. 305-610-8002
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
Community-wide Yard Sales, Saturday, March 1st. 8AM-2PM. (MM 21)Drost, Sawyer, and Colson Drives - Follow the signs.Fishing supplies, Tools, Furniture, Lamps, Housewares, Plants, Costume Jewelry, Clothes, & Various Treasures.
MOVING SALE on Key Colony Beach: 65" Samsung curved TV, Tournament golf bag & titanium clubs, Two Mako Lost Creek kayakspeddle & paddle - also w/ Bixby electric jet systems, Two Yeti 65 qt. coolers w/padded seats-Never Used, Three S.S. folding boat deck chairs, Alum. 8' trailer w/spare & tool box, Electric fish fryer & propane fryer, small pet carpet cleaner, Two small fans, One floor jack, Gas can, Air compressor, One Shop vac, Ryobi power tools, 10" cut off saw w/4 drawer cabinet, 10" table saw, Belt sander, Band saw, Jig saw, Drill press, Bench seat, 7" Wet cut saw, Router w/table - all mounted on wheels, Air purifier, Dehumidifier, Lumar Windless, 7' & 8' Aluminum gaffs, Snuba Diving system - two regulators & long hose, One Pony air tank & regulator, Flag pole, Two Serving pots, One Banex 1500TM electric deep drop reel & rodLike New, $1000 worth of deep drop tackleAll New, 2 Bosch mid to large hammer drills, Harpoon - Never Used, 8' Clothes Rack - 4 racks, 2021 325 CC World Catlow hours & loaded. Everything very clean - NO JUNK. Call Harry 724-689-9085
PLACE YOUR CLASSIFIED AD FOR ONLY $25/WEEK FOR UP TO 5 LINES OF COPY. CALL 305-743-0844 TODAY
Upper Keys position, reporting in Tavernier.
Full time job with benefits, vacation time, and holidays.
Apply at keysschools.com or call 305-293-1400 ext. 53398
Keys Energy Services, in Key West, Florida, is accepting applications for the following position in its Engineering Department:
Starting pay rate for this position, depending on qualifications and experience: $131,081/annually$134,751/annually
For more information, including job duties and required qualifications, and to apply for the job, please visit their website at www.KeysEnergy.com. KEYS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. KEYS promotes a Drug-Free Workplace.
Certain service members, veterans, the spouses and family members of service members and veterans, receive preference and priority in employment, and are encouraged to apply for positions being filled.
CARETAKER (FT) – Key West
Seeking a full-time, live-in, In-Home Support Coach/Trainer to provide companionship and assist clients with training/support. HSD/GED & 1 yr. exp in a related field. 1 year of college can substitute for experience. Must be able to use a tablet for documentation purposes. The shift for this job is split shift with hours in the morning and the evening. We can be flexible on the hours but must be available to work both days and evenings as needed. *
SUPPORTED LIVING COACH (FT)
Responsibilities include management of developmentally disabled clients in independent living environments, management of office and in-home support staff. Must be available for some evenings and weekends. Bachelor’s degree in related field or experience working with developmentally disabled clients in lieu of degree. Must have a valid FL driver’s license. Salary commensurate with experience.*
GROUP HOME MANAGER – (FT) – Key West
FT administrative, salaried position. Responsible for operations of Group Homes in accordance with State and Fed regulations. Oversight of staff and clients. Bachelor’s degree and Florida DL w/clean driving record req. At least 2 years of mgmt and admin experience req, and direct or comparable experience w/same or similar population preferred. Computer skills: moderate to advanced.*
The Advocate Program DUI school is hiring for part time positions. Front desk: 3 days a week, high school diploma required.
DUI instructors and evaluators: 2 days a week, Bachelors or Masters degree in substance abuse eld required.
Of ce located in Marathon. Contact Marcia at 305-704-0117.
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 LARGO
Lead Certified Recovery Peer Support Specialist Advocate (FT) Front Desk Specialist
Behavioral Health Counselor (Children)
KEY WEST
Case Manager (Adult PT, Child FT)
Behavioral Health Therapist (Children)
Behavioral Health Counselor (Children) Advocate
MARATHON Care Coordinator (PT) Driver – PT (CDL not required)
RN/Licensed Practical Nurse (FT/PT) Advocate (PT)
*Behavioral Health Technicians – 3 shifts (FT/PT)
*Support Worker (Assisted Living, PT)
*Night Monitor (Assisted Living - Free Housing)
*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
We are now hiring for the following positions: Diesel Mechanic Truck Helpers
CDL Drivers
Applicants must apply in person to be considered.
4290 Overseas Hwy, Marathon
PHYSICIAN PRACTICE OPENINGS
- Medical Assistant 1, Upper Keys Internal Medicine, $5k Bonus
- Physician Assistant 1-Surgical, Ortho, Tavernier, $5k Bonus
- Advanced Practice Provider (APRN-PA-C), BHMG Multispecialty, Marathon, $5k Bonus
- Medical Assistant 2, General Surgery, Upper Keys, $5k Bonus
- Advanced Practice Provider (APRN/PA-C), Surgical, Ortho, Tavernier, $5k Bonus
- Advanced Practice Provider (APRN/PA-C), Multispecialty, Marathon, $5k Bonus
- Manager Physician Practice, Primary Care, Marathon, $5k Bonus
- Patient Access Associate, Multispecialty, Marathon, $1k Bonus
MIAMI CANCER INSTITUTE KEY WEST
- Patient Access Associate 2, Operation Support, $1K Bonus
- Medical Assistant 1, Medical Oncology, $5k Bonus
- Registered Nurse, Chemotherapy Infusion, Fl Keys-MCI, $15k Bonus
- Clinical Pharmacist, $5k Bonus
- Radiation Therapist, $12k Bonus
- Director Physician Practice Operations
TAVERNIER MARINERS HOSPITAL
- Cook, Dietary
- Group Exercise Instructor, Mariners Wellness Center
- Mechanic 3, Facility Operations
- Radiology Technologist 1, Imaging-MRI, $40k Bonus
- Multi-Modality Imaging Tech 1, (Mammo & X Ray), Radiology, $50k Bonus
- Multi-Modality Imaging Tech 1, (X Ray & CT), Radiology, $50k Bonus
- Patient Access Associate 1, Gastro, Tavernier, $1k Bonus
- Customer Service & Membershipe Coord., Wellness Center
- Food Service Worker, $5k Bonus
- Radiology Technologist 1, $40k Bonus
- Registered Nurse, Emergency Department
- Registered Nurse, ICU
MARATHON FISHERMEN’S COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
- Experience Advisor, Patient Experience
- Multi-Modality Imaging Tech 1, (CT & X Ray)
Radiology, $50k Bonus
- Radiology Technologist 1, $40k Bonus
- Registered Nurse, $15k Bonus
- Multi-Modality Imaging Tech 1, (Mammo & X Ray) Radiology, $50k Bonus
- Pool RN, Emergency Department
- Medical Technologist 2, Laboratory, $50k Bonus
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
THEME: THE OSCARS
ACROSS
1. 1/10
6. European tourist tax, acr.
9. “Germinal” author …mile
13. Bye, in Paris
14. Bigheadedness
15. Relating to wine, arch. 16. Tabletop mountains
17. H+, e.g.
18. Large key on the right
19. *”____ Boys”
21. *”Emilia PËrez” leading actress 23. H in HMS, sometimes 24. Kids’ get-away
25. Like certain Four
28. Queen of Carthage
30. Razzed
35. Scary fairytale creature
37. Soft drink
39. Like certain egg order
40. Sir Mix-____-____
41. *Sean Baker’s original screenplay
43. Loyal, arch.
44. Caldecott award
46. Ascus, pl.
47. AI’s learning material
48. Harry ____, once of One Direction
50. Wearing footgear
52. *At 2024 Oscars, Ryan Gosling sang “I’m Just ____”
53. Sushi restaurant libation
55. Unit of length of yarn
57. *This year’s Academy Awards
host
60. *Elphaba and Galinda story
63. Antique shop item
64. Metal-bearing rock
66. Mountain nymph
68. Southeast Asian org.
69. Lavatory, abbr.
70. *____ Theatre
71. Whimper
LEARN
72. Sodium hydroxide
73. Follow
DOWN
1. Scottish cap
2. Barbara of “I Dream of Jeannie”
3. Not yet final, at law
4. Mold a mind
5. Like ear of corn that is ready to cook
6. Bride’s cover
7. Opposite of hence 8. Polynesian kingdom
9. Zn
10. “I’m ____ you!”
11. Property right
12. Acronym, abbr.
15. Evening worship
20. “All My Children” vixen 22. Invoice qty.
24. Colossus, pl.
25. Fizzes
26. End of a shoelace
27. *”The Brutalist” leading actor
29. Spanish lady
31. Old, in Scottish
32. Go stealthily
33. Related on mother’s side
34. *Chalamet’s role
36. Et alibi, abbr.
38. St. Louis’ Gateway
42. Garlicky mayonnaise
45. Acne, technically
49. Famous frat house
51. Crack
54. Grassy mound
56. Ohio metropolis
57. Yorkshire river
58. Tea or beer
59. Iranian money
60. We have
61. Mature elvers
62. Dabu-____, chili pepper condiment
63. Operator’s equip.
65. *Jamie Foxx won Best Actor in
for this biopic
Yellow #5, e.g.
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