Marathon Weekly 25-0410

The one for you

This immaculately maintained gem offers you access to the open ocean and gulf in less than five minutes. Perfect for anglers, divers, snorkelers, and boating enthusiasts. Ideally, it is located on a 100-foot wide, clear, deep canal with a 37.5-foot dock and a step-down and fish cleaning station. The open-concept living space flows seamlessly from the living and dining rooms onto a covered balcony with breathtaking canal views. Enjoy entertaining, dining, or just relaxing, and gazing at the clear water is always mesmerizing, what you deserve. You and your family will enjoy preparing meals, entertaining, and making treasured memories in the newly updated, custom kitchen. The primary suite, with impact sliders and a large window, is bright and airy. The roomy primary bath has another large impact window, making it very inviting with the sizable walk-in shower and soaking tub. The entire lower level provides huge open storage space for all your needs. There is plenty of covered and uncovered parking for your toys, RV, boat trailer, and more. Located in the heart of Marathon in Key Colony Beach, this property is just a short walk to three restaurants, shopping, the post office, City Hall, and the building department. Enjoy the amenities nearby, including a marina, bike and walking paths, golf, pickleball, bocce ball, basketball, 3 playgrounds, and tennis courts.

10055 Overseas Highway | Marathon

305.735.4095 | oceansir.com

9709 Overseas Hwy. Marathon, FL 33050

Office: 305.743.0844 www.keysweekly.com

Publisher / Jason Koler jason@keysweekly.com

Publishing Partner / Britt Myers britt@keysweekly.com

Marathon Editor / Alex Rickert alex@keysweekly.com

Staff Writers

Jim McCarthy jim@keysweekly.com

Mandy Miles mandy@keysweekly.com

Copy Editor / Mike Howie mike@keysweekly.com

Business Development

Patti Childress patti@keysweekly.com

Production Manager Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com

Executive Administrator Charlotte Hruska char@keysweekly.com

Graphic Design

Javier Reyes javier@keysweekly.com

Irene de Bruijn irene@keysweekly.com

Diana Striker

Web Master / Travis Cready travis@keysweekly.com

Classifieds / Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com 305.743.0844

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The previously extinct dire wolf – made famous in the “Game of Thrones” TV series, is walking the earth again. Using DNA from fossils dating back between 13,000 and 72,000 years ago, researchers edited 20 crucial genes into gray wolf cells and used domestic dogs as surrogates to birth three dire wolf pups. Debate remains as to whether the breakthrough truly constitutes a de-extinction of a species.

Marathon High School thespians will ‘cut footloose’ this Friday, Saturday and Sunday as the Drama Club presents its spring musical. See page 8. CATHY WALTERS/Contributed

SOMBRERO BOULEVARD

CONSTRUCTION BEGINS NEXT WEEK

Marathon City Council session lays out traffic plan

ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

Asorely-needed drainage and road improvement project on Sombrero Boulevard is set to begin in earnest next week, according to plans laid out at the Marathon City Council’s April 8 meeting.

Efforts to fix chronic flooding on the boulevard escalated in late 2023 and early 2024, as a series of storms and rising tides left locals driving through standing water for days after rainfall stopped – even leaving a few cars on the road when some motorists tried to plow through deeper areas of the lagoon.

Addressing the council and a room full of area residents, engineer Yanay Ferral of Weiler Engineering outlined basic elements of the project, which will include a raised and re-sloped road with an upgraded pump-powered drainage system from the Sombrero Beach Road intersection to the entrance of the Florida Keys Country Club. Additional curbs, gutters, landscaping and a sidewalk and bike path will complete the redesigned road.

The newly-installed series of three pumps, Ferral said, can activate sequentially to dispose of up to 13,500 gallons per minute 120 feet underground, drawing down flooding on the road in four to six hours at most. The pumps will be backed by generators in the event of a power loss.

Construction along the road will proceed in phases, with the first phase designated to address the lowest area in front of condo buildings at 9, 11 and 15 Sombrero Blvd. During this phase, scheduled for April 14 through December 2025, both lanes of the road will shift north to allow continued two-way traffic while construction takes place on the road’s southern edge.

Once complete, traffic will shift south to allow work on the road’s northern edge, with parking along the

south right-of-way potentially permitted for the condo residents during closures of their parking lots.

Phases two and three, addressing the east and west edges, respectively, of the project from June through November 2025, will require one-way traffic patterns regulated by alternating temporary traffic lights and flagging personnel.

Staging for construction equipment and materials will take place on vacant lots between Manor Lane and Sombrero Beach Road, owned by the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority, and final completion of the project is estimated in March of 2026.

“Our goal is not to impact the community, so if we see traffic building up, we’ll halt work, let it clear out, and then get back to our work,” said general manager Roman Orofino of Charley Toppino and Sons, the contractor selected for the project. April 22 workshop to take ‘town hall’ format

The council’s second monthly meeting in April, set for Tuesday the 22nd at 5:30 p.m., will open a dialogue with Marathon residents to address general concerns in a new ‘town hall’ format. Following presentations by nonprofits applying for city grant funding, residents will be given the floor to discuss issues directly with council members.

“We would love to hear issues and concerns, but here’s my suggestion and challenge: Bring the problems to us, but bring a solution with it, so we can have some good dialogue about how to fix things,” said Mayor Lynn Landry. “I want it to be fruitful – I don’t want it to just be a gripe session.”

In other news:

• Oceanfront Park behind City Hall will serve as a temporary home for visiting FWC law enforcement offers in accordance with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Operation Vigilant Sentry to combat illegal immigration, Capt. Dave Dipre told the audience. Using alreadypurchased temporary housing equipment staged in the park, the camp will host six new officers every 10 days to help combat local FWC staffing shortages. Dipre said while he was unsure

Charley Toppino and Sons general manager Roman Orofino outlines the phases of the Sombrero Boulevard drainage improvement project, set to begin April 14. ALEX RICKERT/ Keys Weekly

how long the camp would remain, the Keys are slated to receive 12 new officers in December 2025.

• In its final hearing, the council unanimously approved Resolution 2025-35, granting a development agreement to Wharf Marina, Inc. and private planner Steve Hurley for a restaurant, marina, retail shop and 11 transient rentals at 1622 Overseas Highway.

• Resolution 2025-34, also unanimously approved in its final hearing, granted an alteration to the development order for Wharf Marina’s neighboring properties at 1480 Overseas Highway. Previously approved for redevelopment in 2019, the original conditional use permit allowed for development of six market-rate housing units and one affordable unit. The amended approval will instead permit five transient units, stilted over parking spaces.

• Following a lengthy discussion on staff security, accessibility and insurance requirements in City Hall, the council approved a $193,703 contract with Pedro Falcon Contractors, Inc. for modifications to the lobby, offices and storage areas of the hall in a split 3-2 vote. Councilman Kenny Matlock, who voted against the proposal along with councilwoman Lynny Del Gaizo, said he questioned certain line items including mobility costs in the contractor’s bid and felt the hall redesign should do more to present an image of accessibility for residents. City Attorney Steve Williams said the hall’s design and barriers were solely a product of modernday safety concerns for staff, as advised by the city’s insurance companies.

THANK YOU!

April 5, 2025, the efforts of hundreds of people culminated in the success of the 44th Annual 7-Mile Bridge Run.

The Marathon Runners Club wishes to say THANKS to all of those people who participated in the planning and execution of the run, as well as the dedicated law enforcement officials who so efficiently carried out their traffic control and safety responsibilities.

Monroe County Commission

Mayor Jim Scholl

Mayor Pro Michelle Lincoln

Commissioner Craig Cates

Commissioner Holly Merrill Raschein

Commissioner David Rice

Marathon City Council

Mayor Lynn Landry

Vice Mayor Jeff Smith

Councilmember Lynny Del Gaizo

Councilmember Kenny Matlock

Councilmember Robyn Still

Florida Department of Transportation, Monroe County

School Board & Monroe County Parks Dept., Monroe County Public Works Dept. Webber

Thanks to the following good people who worked tirelessly on the traffic control and safety aspects of the race:

Sheriff Rick Ramsay, Lt. Colonel Don Hiller, Captain Derek Paul, Lt. Donny Barrios, Lt. Fernandez, Capt David E. Smith, Det. Sgt. EB Askins

FWC Officers

Fishermen's Hospital Emergency Medical Personnel

Monroe County Fire Rescue and Chief Ryan Deviמּ

City of Marathon Fire Rescue

Asst. Fire Marshal Mike Card

Chief Muro

Thanks to all the captains and their teams!

Aid Station #1 - Cindy Perry

Aid Station #2 - Riet Steinmetz, Arjen Holdinga

Aid Station #3- Kath Vals

Aid Station #4 - KFCU and “Over The Hump” Gang

Aid Station #5 - Isla Bella Crew

Tina Beloמּi - Start Line

Denise Pankow- Finish Line

Starting Water Line Station - MHS "I Promise" crew

Dave Daniels - Safety Team and T-shirts

The Sayer Family

Bobbie & Chuck Bayles & Family

Luis Gonzalez Family

Don Scoמּen Family

Kevin Freeman - Mile Markers

Pete Worthington - Communication Team

Numbers Aﬞernoon Crew

MHS & MMS Coaches & Teams

Best Packet Pickup and Stuffing Team

Hammer and Scoמּ at Marathon Community Park

Nurses Stephanie and Brandi

Friday Packet Pickup Team

Chad Neller/Reefside Construction

Tony/Driﬞwood Pizza

April Rasmussen

We wish to acknowledge contributions made by:

Rafael Medina

Mike Puto

Sue Corbin

Zoltan Polgar & Agency 44 Renee and Team

Marathon Electric Sign & Light

Pat Kersey

Don & Son Fence Co.

Split Second Timing

Florida Keys Electric Co-op

Rob Christensen

Denise & Chris Pankow

Southernmost Runners Club

Bill Becker/Jim Dorl

Key West Visitor Center

Sunshine Key RV Resort & Marina

King’s Concrete Repair

Big Pine Motel

Big Pine Key Fishing Lodge

Bank of America

Crane Point Hammock

Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce

Marathon Lumber

Wright Barrow Office Crew

CM & Dennis Bishop

Sunbelt Rentals

William and Michael at Dunkin

UPS Store Sharon & Paמּy

First Horizon & Trich

John Bartus

Tiffany & Cathy

Thanks to everyone for Your Patience and understanding!

Marathon Bob’s Truck Rentals

MESSAGE SHERIFF FROM THE

National Public Safety Telecommunications Week is April 13-19 this year and I would like you to join me in recognizing those Sheri ’s O ce members who are critical in keeping us all safe.

The pressure and stress of the 911 communications is high, and the hard work they do every day deserves thanks from all of us.

Telecommunicators have one of the most important and stressful jobs in law enforcement and they play a vital role in any emergency response. They are the first to receive your emergency calls and what they do with those calls is critical.

They not only dispatch law enforcement in the Keys but also fire departments, paramedics, and the Trauma Star helicopters — the last of which also requires dedication as telecommunicators are required to keep track of the helicopters and their location in the air.

Please join us in recognizing the pivotal role played by those who utilize telephones, radios, computers, and technical skills to provide support to law enforcement, fire services, emergency medical services, and all other governmental personnel!

Monroe County Sheriff, Rick Ramsay

ALEX RICKERT

alex@keysweekly.com

All bets are on kicked-off Sunday shoes this weekend at Marathon High School as the Performing Arts Center becomes the small town of Bomont, Utah for “Footloose: The Musical.”

The MHS Drama Club’s spring show follows the plot of the 1984 Kevin Bacon classic. When Ren McCormack (Dakota Mertyris) finds himself uprooted from the bustle of Chicago to a podunk town with his mother Ethel (Soph Hutchins), he’s shocked to discover the map dot’s remote location isn’t even its biggest drawback. Thanks to a campaign backed by the straightlaced Reverend Shaw Moore (Cameron Van Hoose) years ago, the simple act of dancing is now illegal, in a place where there’s already nothing to do.

But in a town where most of his classmates seem to have given up on rebelling against Shaw’s iron fist, Ren soon finds a muse of sorts in the one person willing to buck the reverend’s trends: Shaw’s own daughter, Ariel (Ella Dunn). Reluctantly backed by his newfound best buddy in the hilariously dimwitted Willard (Adrien Holdinga), Ren hatches a plan to confront

BETTER THAN BACON?

Marathon High Drama Club presents ‘Footloose’

the town council and reintroduce the joys of music and dance to Bomont.

Under director Rhonda Crutcher, “Footloose” is the last hurrah of sorts for a senior-heavy cast and crew, several of whom have graced the MHS stage or worked behind the scenes since sixth grade and adapted to the styles of three club directors in as many years.

“I feel like we’re all adding as much as we can possibly give for the last time on stage,” said Rylee Seligson, who plays Urleen, one of Ariel’s best friends.

“One last big whoop – we’re leaving it all out there,” added Mertyris.

While the group of principal actors and tech leads who’ve sat down for interviews with the Weekly has gone largely unchanged over the last two years, the crew said their responsibility to pass the reins to a large group of underclassmen and middle schoolers in the 30-plus-member club is one they’ve taken seriously, just as their predecessors did in years past.

“I got this far mostly because of the seniors above me who really pushed a lot of us who are now graduating to do what we love – to pursue this theater program, and to continue doing it,” said Zyan Wiggins, who plays Ariel’s bestie and Willard’s

Cowboy Willard Hewitt (Adrien Holdinga, left) has a thing or two to teach the new kid on the block, Ren (Dakota Mertyris), about the town of Bomont, Utah. CATHY WALTERS/ Contributed

In every show, there’s parts where everybody is discouraged. But the best thing about it is to be able to watch everybody be able to succeed in the end.

—Dakota Mertyris

budding love interest, Rusty.

“I have a little mini-me co-dance captain in seventh grade, Gabbi Doering, and I’m so proud of her,” said Seligson.

“We definitely showed them that this is fun,” said Mertyris. “The most rewarding thing about this is that in every show, there’s parts where everybody is discouraged. But the best thing about it is to be able to watch everybody be able to succeed in the end – that’s how people find their love for theater.”

“When I first came here, when all of (the seniors) put on ‘Newsies,’ I was blown away, and I fell in love with theater,” Van Hoose told his classmates. “These guys are my rock, and every single one of them has inspired me so much.”

The curtain rises on “Footloose” this Friday and Saturday, April 11 and 12 at 7:30 p.m. in the MHS Performing Arts Center, with a final matinee on Sunday, April 13 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students, payable by cash or credit at the door. To purchase advance tickets online, scan the QR code.

Top: Ella Dunn, second from left, plays the lead role of Ariel with her ‘girl gang’ of Urleen (Rylee Seligson, left), Wendy Jo (Samantha Schofield) and Rusty (Zyan Wiggins).

SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH DOWN FROM 32 TO 11

List includes 4 current school district employees & 1 former employee

MANDY MILES

mandy@keysweekly.com

The school board’s search for the next superintendent continued on April 8, when the five board members narrowed the field from 32 total applicants to 11 semi-finalists.

The 11 semifinalists include four current employees of the Monroe County School District — Amber Acevedo, Christina McPherson, Laura Lietaert and Melissa Alsobrooks — and one former employee, Melanie Stefanowicz, who worked for the district from 2005 to 2016. From 2012 to 2016, she was the district’s director of adult, alternative and career and technical education and is currently the CEO of the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida, living in Cape Coral.

Acevedo is deputy superintendent and a former principal at Key West High School and Poinciana Elementary. McPherson is also a former KWHS principal and is now the executive director of student services at the district headquarters. Lietaert is principal of Coral Shores High School and Alsobrooks is principal of Gerald Adams Elementary School. The other six semi-finalists are:

Edward Tierney: deputy superintendent/chief of schools in Palm Beach County school district.

Michael George: principal of Atlantic Coast High School in Jacksonville, and Florida’s 2024 principal of the year.

Darren Burkett: deputy superintendent of Collier County public schools.

John Millay: former superintendent of Martin County schools in Florida and former senior vice president of Boys & Girls Club in Martin County.

James Tager: former superintendent in Flagler County, and in Vermont and Maine.

Gillian Gregory: Former assistant superintendent in Leon County, and currently a program director at Florida State University’s College of Education, Health and Human Services.

All applications are available at keysschools.com, under the “Superintendent Search” link at the top of the home page.

Working with search consultants from the Florida School Boards Association, the five school board members have drafted five questions for the 11 semifinalists. Some replies will be written and some will be recorded via video.

The school board at its April 21 board meeting will select three to five finalists who will be invited to the Keys the week of April 28 for in-person interviews and public receptions, where they can meet community members, teachers, principals, parents and students. Public interviews will be conducted on Thursday, May 1 at 9 a.m.

The final selection is expected at the May 6 board meeting in Marathon. Contract negotiations will follow. The job posting outlines a salary range of $175,000 to $225,000, plus benefits, “along with a relocation stipend and other negotiated incentives,” the job posting states. The current superintendent’s salary is $175,000.

The new schools chief will start work July 1, allowing a month-long overlap before the July 31 retirement of Theresa Axford.

MAN ARRESTED FOR MURDER AT KEY LARGO RESORT

A33-year-old Key Largo man was arrested April 8 for the murder of a 43-year-old Upper Keys woman who was found in a resort hotel room.

The sheriff’s office responded to the Amoray Dive Resort in Key Largo at about 11 a.m. on April 7 regarding a missing person identified as Nadyne Marie Tillman, 43, of Key Largo. A family member reported she had not heard from her since Saturday morning, which was unusual.

The sheriff’s office investigation showed that Tillman met Dylan Lamb, 33, of Key Largo, at the resort on Saturday morning. Tillman’s body was later found

hidden in Lamb’s room, with injuries consistent with being beaten. Lamb was found and arrested Tuesday in Key Largo and booked into the Plantation Key jail facility later that evening. Lamb is facing three felony charges of homicide, kidnapping/false imprisonment and destroying evidence. His arraignment is scheduled for May 13.

“I want to thank the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office for working around the clock to make an arrest in this case,” said Sheriff Rick Ramsay, “While the investigation remains ongoing, there do not appear to be any other individuals involved in this incident.”

— Keys Weekly staff report

Dylan Lamb. MCSO/Contributed

MARATHON CINEMA MINECRAFT

SHOWTIMES: FRI, SAT, SUN & TUES 7PM MATINEE SUNDAY 2PM

5101 O/S HWY. MARATHON (BEHIND MARATHON LIQUOR)

COMMERCE CORNEr

Established in 2011, King Seafood Market & Restaurant is a family business with family recipes and family size plates. Judith Silva, owner says "our meals are cooked to order and are always hot and fresh." They are proud to offer fresh seafood at the best prices. "Our commercial boat provides us with our fresh stone crabs during season and we also buy from local commercial fishermen," says Silva. This allows them to have the best quality seafood for their customers. They will also cook your catch and have online ordering services.

Denny Valladares Jr 10925 Overseas Hwy, Marathon 305-735-4132 kingseafoodrestaurant.com

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK! Mon - Fri 11am to Close Sat & Sun 10am to Close

HAPPY HOUR 1-4PM

$7 Menu

• Chicken wings, chicken livers and More!

• 32 beers on tap 1/2 off 2pm - 3pm

* $2 Pints of Yuengling and Bud Light!

BREAKFAST SERVED UNTIL 2PM

• Unique & interesting menu

• $3 Mimosas • $5 Breakfast Shots

LUNCH & DINNER

• Lobster Enchiladas

• Diver Speared Local Fish

• Prime Rib • Local Lobster

• Cook Your Own Catch

• Great Seafood Selections

SUSHI

• Toro • Lionfish • Poke • Hamachi collar • Fresh Uni arrives on Thursday

‘LENNY’ THE GIANT LOGGERHEAD GOES HOME

Two-week rehab stint at Turtle Hospital ends in time for mating season

After less than two weeks of rehab at the Turtle Hospital to heal his injuries, ‘Lenny’ the giant loggerhead turtle goes home. BOB CARE/Florida Keys News Bureau

EXPIRED BUILDING PERMITS

Contractors & Owner/Builders: HOW TO CLOSE EXPIRED PERMITS

We are addressing the issue of expired permits in our permitting system. Please verify if you have expired permits under your account. Per the City Code of Ordinances, the City of Marathon has the authority to halt the issuance of building permits per 109.03.E, which states the City may use any of the following as enforcement powers:

(E) Withhold Permits and Approvals: The City may deny or withhold all permits, certificates, or other forms of authorization on any land, or structure, or improvements thereon:

• Upon which there is an uncorrected violation of a provision of the LDR’s or of a condition or qualification of a development order, permit, certificate, approval or other authorization previously granted by the City.

• That is owned or being developed by a person who owns, developed or otherwise caused an uncorrected violation of a provision of the LDRs or of a condition or qualification of a permit, certificate, approval or other authorization previously granted by the City.

The City of Marathon is requiring all contractors and owner/builders to address the expired permits pursuant to Section 6-58 by:

• Apply to reinstate the expired permits with the reinstatement fee.

If work has not been completed:

• Complete work and proceed with

inspections to close the permit.

If work was completed, pursuant to Section 6-56 you must:

• Provide proper documentation of completed approved inspections.

• Or provide an engineer’s letter to close out the permit. The City will have to approve the authorization of an engineer’s letter as a means of closing out the permit (IT IS NOT AT THE CONTRACTORS’ OR OWNER/BUILDERS DISCRETION).

Please address any expired permits expeditiously as starting 06-01-2025 no new permits will be issued to anyone who has an expired permit in our permitting system or to any property that has an expired permit. If you have any questions or concerns about how to correct the issue of an expired permit, please feel free to contact the City of Marathon Building Department by phone or by email.

Thank you all for your attention to this issue of expired permits in our permitting system. We are striving to keep permitting running cleanly and efficiently as possible for all.

Less than two weeks after being rescued from the pristine waters off the Florida Keys, a giant loggerhead turtle is back where he belongs, thanks to the quick thinking of a local underwater photographer and the staff at the Turtle Hospital.

Affectionately named “Lenny” by the team that rescued him, the 322-pound loggerhead sea turtle was spotted when Mike Papish, an underwater photographer, saw him in distress off Islamorada and sprang into action.

“Went up, called the Turtle Hospital and said there’s an injured turtle here,” said Papish. “They said (to) try to get them pictures of it.”

Papish then worked with the Turtle Hospital and Sundance Water Sports to rescue the injured turtle. The Turtle Hospital transported the loggerhead to its facility to treat his severe injuries on March 14.

“He was found not using his front flipper, due to a predator wound, and when I say predator wound, part of the flipper was

actually missing and he had bites to his head,” said Bette Zirkelbach, manager at the Turtle Hospital.

Lenny’s two-week stay at the Turtle Hospital included treatment with broad spectrum antibiotics, fluids, pain medication, vitamins, wound care and class 4 laser treatment.

Timing was critical for Lenny’s release, as mating season in the Florida Keys is in full swing.

“We see sub-adult and adult loggerheads here in the Florida Keys,” said Zirkelbach. “They’re here, they’re looking for dates, they’re here mating.”

North Atlantic loggerheads are the biggest nesting population in Florida and can live up to 100 years. Lenny is estimated to be 60 to 70 years old.

“It’s important to get him out there with the ladies so they can propagate the species,” Zirkelbach added.

More information is at www. turtlehospital.org.

– Contributed

THURSDAY, APRIL 10

CANDICE 6PM

FRIDAY, APRIL 11

FLORIDA FLOYD 3PM

TONY MANFREDI BAND 8PM

SATURDAY, APRIL 12

LADY A BAND 8PM

SUNDAY, APRIL 13

TONY MANFREDI 3PM

DOCKSIDE SUNDAY JAM 7PM

MONDAY, APRIL 14

KEVIN MCCABE 3PM SHAWN BROWN 6:30PM TUESDAY, APRIL 15

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16 LUKE SOMMERS 6PM

COLD

COCKTAILS

The Grassy Key Marina will pay any person a finder's fee equal to 10% of the monthly contracted rate (before taxes) of any boat/trailer customer that is willing to sign a statement that the customer was referred by that person. The Grassy Key Marina will continue to pay the finder's fee for each month of the initial contract term. (renewals and/or future contracts will not be subject to the finder's fee). This o er is not retroactive and only applies to contracts signed after 3/1/25. This o er is voluntary on the part of the Grassy Key Marina and can be cancelled at any time.

20 YEARS

THE COLD NEVER BOTHERED THEM ANYWAY

1. The cast and crew of Stanley Switlik’s ‘Frozen: Kids.’

2.Daniel Gomez plays the charming but secretly nefarious Hans.

3. Fan-favorite characters in ‘Frozen: Kids’ include the snowman Olaf (Landry Sayer, left), princesses Elsa (Ryan Bryk) and Anna (Stella Voiles), ice harvester Kristoff (Ian Reyes) and his reindeer Sven (Finn Keeney).

4.Six different young ladies play the young, middle and present-day versions of Elsa and Anna. From left: Lillian Hutchinson, Emersyn Wendt, Stella Voiles, Ryan Bryk, Olivia Hurley and Evolet Johnson. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly

Switlik actors prep for ‘Frozen: Kids’

RICKERT

The stage at Stanley Switlik Elementary School is set for an icy makeover next week as students transport their audiences to the Kingdom of Arendelle in “Frozen: Kids.”

Based on the 2013 animated hit, a cast and crew of around 50 youngsters will tell the story of beloved princesses Elsa (Ryan Bryk) and Anna (Stella Voiles), the sisters and former best friends now isolated after Elsa’s uncontrolled magical powers accidentally bring her younger sister to the brink of death.

Hidden away in self-imposed isolation, can Elsa learn to “Let It Go” and embrace the powers that make her so special to save the kingdom she’s accidentally turned into an eternal winterscape? Or will it be too late to stop the dealings of the backstabbing Prince Hans (Daniel Gomez), set on earning the throne in Arendelle at all costs?

“I knew that a show like ‘Frozen’ would be a challenge since it is so wellknown, but these kids have given everything they have to make the show spectacular,” director Allison Sayer told the Weekly. “They have learned difficult music, multiple choreographed dances and most importantly, how to work together as a cast and support each other. It’s been so fun to watch many of them come out of their shell and come alive on the stage.”

Elaborate costumes, including several hand-sewn by parents of the cast, and handpainted set pieces con-

tinue Switlik’s tradition of providing a full-scale musical for parents, friends and family. And just like the original Disney film, fan-favorite characters like Kristoff (Ian Reyes), Sven (Finn Keeney) and Olaf (Landry Sayer) are along for the ride.

“I’m so proud of them, and I look forward to seeing them perform next week,” said Sayer. “Thank you to my entire crew, the parents and this amazing community for all of the support.”

“Frozen” takes the stage on Wednesday and Thursday, April 16 and 17 at 6 p.m. in the Switlik cafeteria. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and are available at the door or by scanning the QR code.

COMING

6-week courses •

KEYS COMMUNITIES JOIN NATIONAL HANDS OFF PROTESTS

Key West event draws 600 demonstrators; others join in Marathon & Upper Keys

MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

Communities in the Florida Keys joined thousands of nationwide Hands Off protests on April 5 that took place in all 50 states. In the Keys, the largest demonstration was in Key West, where an estimated 600 people lined both sides of the 1300 block of White Street, in front of the National Weather Service office, which has been targeted for funding cuts, and in front of Key West’s city hall. Some 250 residents held signs alongside U.S. 1 in Key Largo, and another group was seen holding flags and signs along the highway in Islamorada. In the Middle Keys, cars passing the intersection of U.S. 1 and Sombrero Beach Road found around 130 protesters lining the street and median. Nationally, the protests are thought to have drawn as many as 5 million in one of the largest one-day nationwide displays of opposition to the current administration.

Demonstrators railed against President Donald Trump and billionaire businessman Elon Musk, who has become a top adviser to Trump

An estimated 130 protesters hold Hands Off signs lining U.S. 1 near Sombrero Beach Road in Marathon. CONTRIBUTED

and the leader of the new Department of Government Efficiency.

Signs in Key West included: “DEI — Deport Elon Instead,” “No One Voted for Elon,” “Hands Off the Constitution” and “Honk If You Never Drunk Text War Plans” – that last one a reference to the recent “Signalgate” scandal in which Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth used a non-government messaging app called Signal to text detailed plans for a military bombing in Yemen to a group of top U.S. officials, accidentally including a journalist.

“In a county that is overwhelmingly Republican, our group received supporting honks, thumbs and fists up,” said Mid-Keys Democrats chair Laurie Swanson, who helped organize the Marathon protest. “As each fleet of cars left the traffic light we were regaled with a cacophony of horns and slow-moving vehicles joining in with ‘This is what democracy looks like.’”

ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

WHEN IT’S BLOWING, THEY’RE STILL GOING

The good news: When winds top 25 miles per hour, it’s hard to overheat while running a road race. The bad news: When those winds are directly in your face, it makes for some of the toughest racing around.

Despite facing brutal headwinds for the second year in a row, there were still plenty of smiles – and an abundance of “sunrise selfies” – as racers “Beat the Bus” and crossed the finish line of the 44th annual 7 Mile Bridge Run on April 5.

Around 1,500 runners and walkers, from 5-year-olds to 88-year-old Grand Masters, braved the longest bridge in the Keys on Saturday morning in one of the unique and scenic footraces in the United States.

Familiar faces and locals locked down top positions in the race. Key West 24-year-old Owen Allen was the first to break the tape in 41 minutes, 3 seconds, followed by a second consecutive second-place finish for 2023 bridge champ Vance Bursa of Big Pine Key in 42:27. Three-time winner Collin Wainwright of Philadelphia, the top finisher in 2024, completed the top three with a time of 42:39.

Joanna Stephens of Dallas, Georgia led all female finishers, breaking the tape in 44:15 for her third consecutive win. She was followed for the second straight year by 28-year-old Anne DenOtter of Tavernier, who crossed the line in 47:55. Key West High School distance running phenom Caylaa Makimaa rounded out the top three with a time of 50:12.

The 7 Mile Bridge Run began in 1982 to celebrate the opening of the new Seven Mile Brdige, which replaced the converted railroad bridge built by Henry Flagler in 1912. Racers are allowed just 90 minutes to complete the course, challenging themselves to “Beat the Bus” sent to collect stragglers.

The course record of 32 minutes, 57 seconds, set in 1998 by Florida resident Paul Marmaro, has stood tall for nearly 30 years.

1. Overall champion Owen Allen breaks the tape in 41 minutes, 3 seconds.

2. Women’s overall winner Joanna Stephens finishes her 6.8 miles in 44 minutes, 15 seconds.

3. As with every 7 Mile Bridge Run, it takes an army of volunteers at the start, finish and aid stations to corral the chaos of 1,500 runners into a well-oiled machine that keeps racers coming back for more.

4. The crew at US1 Radio and Keys dignitaries enjoy a sunrise ride on the Pigeon Key Express to watch the action up close.

5. As they did last year, Joanna Stephens of Dallas, Georgia, right, and Anne DenOtter of Tavernier, center, went 1-2 as the women’s overall finishers, with Key West High School senior Caylaa Makimaa close behind in third.

6. The top three overall male finishers included Key West’s Owen Allen, center, in first; 2023 bridge run winner Vance Bursa, left, in second; and 2024 champion Collin Wainwright in third.

7. Mary, left, and Tom Casarsa are the final two across the line to ‘Beat the Bus.’

Photos by Barry Gaukel, Brandon Bowman and contributed images.

DID YOU SEE YOUR SHOTS? Scan the QR codes

Gaukel Mile 5 photos (post-fire truck) by Brandon Bowman

ON THEIR HOME COURSE

Marathon locals beat the bus

1. Maya Christensen finishes her 6.8 miles.

2. Jessica Massie, right, chases down Gregory Van Vliet.

3. Lisa Wiebe (1724) captures the moment for Gabriella Wiebe (1988) and Kaylin Ardis.

4. Jennifer Waldo, left, Katharine Egan and Michael Alvarez cross the line as a team.

5. Real estate agent Jesus Parra beats a case of bronchitis to conquer the bridge.

6. Julie, left, and Keith Crews close the race with a high five.

7. Rick Colbacchini makes the annual trip over the Seven Mile Bridge.

8. Isabella Filber, left, and Ashley Kelshaw celebrate their first-ever bridge runs.

9. Laura Hartigan earns a high five at the line.

10. Cheyenne Guinan gets a second wind after Marathon Fire Rescue’s water station.

11. Volunteers like Zulma Jimenez,

and Taylor Sokolosky make the bridge run a reality every year.

left,

Photos by Barry Gaukel and Brandon Bowman.

HOPPING GOOD TIME

Your one-stop guide to celebrating Easter in Marathon

ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

Warm weather in tropical islands on Easter Sunday means a wide array of offerings in Marathon on April 20, from oceanside sunrise services and buffets to traditional masses in the pews. Whether you’re looking to entertain some little ones or just trying to relax with friends and family, be sure to visit one of the many restaurants and businesses with special events and food on deck for the holiday weekend.

Celebrate Easter, on the beach or in the pews:

• All are invited to the community sunrise service, held at 7 a.m. at Sombrero Beach on Easter Sunday. Attendees should bring chairs or blankets.

• St. Columba Episcopal Church will host a Maundy Thursday service at 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 17; Good Friday service at noon on Friday, April 18; an Easter Vigil service at 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 19; and Easter Sunday services at 9 (traditional service) and 11 a.m. (contemporary service).

• The Marathon Community Church will hold a Good Friday service on Friday, April 18 at 5:30 p.m. and an Easter worship service in the sanctuary at 3010 Overseas Highway on Easter Sunday at 10 a.m.

• Martin Luther Chapel will host a Palm Sunday service on April 13 at 10 a.m., a Maundy Thursday service at 7 p.m. on April 17, a Good Friday service at 7 p.m. on April 18, an Easter sunrise service at Curry Hammock State Park at 6:30 a.m. and an Easter service at the chapel at 10 a.m.

• Kirk of the Keys will host a free Palm Sunday brunch after its service on Sunday, April 13. Service on Easter Sunday will begin at 9 a.m., with an egg hunt immediately following the service.

• San Pablo Catholic Church will host Holy Week Masses. Exact schedule was unavailable at presstime.

• Pastor Larry White of St. Paul AME Church will lead a Relay for Christ starting at 8 a.m. on Friday, April 18 at Marathon Church of Christ on 26th Street. Walkers are invited to join him as he carries a cross through Marathon praying for churches and the community. For more information, call 786-554-1285.

COMPLETE THE FESTIVITIES:

• Join the Marathon Parks and Recreation Department for an Easter egg hunt on Tuesday, April 15 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Marathon Community Park. Eggs will be scattered throughout the park and the Easter bunny will make an appearance at the main pavilion for photos.

• The Marathon Rotary Club will host its annual Easter egg hunt at the Marathon Rotary Park on Saturday, April 19 at 10 a.m. The Easter bunny will be present for photos as kids hunt for thousands of eggs.

• Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters will hold its annual Easter egg hunt for children ages 12 and under on Saturday, April 19 from 9 a.m. until all eggs are found (limit 5 per child). The hunt is free with general admission and offers chances to win candy, toys, food coins and encounter vouchers.

• Lighthouse Kitchen & Bar will host its Easter brunch buffet on Easter Sunday beginning at 11 a.m. Guests can feast on a signature pig roast, listen to live music, watch the kids enjoy an Easter egg hunt and challenge each other to lawn games. Call 305-434-9039 for reservations.

• Isla Bella Beach Resort’s on-site restaurant Mahina will offer an Easter brunch buffet on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. To view the menu, scan the QR code. Tickets are $68 per adult and $25 for children 12 and under. Call 786-638-8106 to make a reservation.

• St. Columba Episcopal Church will host an Easter egg hunt for kids on Saturday, April 19 at 10:30 a.m.

• The Lagoon on Grassy Key will host a day of Easter special events, beginning with an egg hunt at 10 a.m. on Easter Sunday. Just down the road, the Rhum House at Grassy Flats Resort will serve a special Easter brunch menu from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reservations are strongly suggested – call 305-743-5686.

• Sunset Grille will host its 15th annual Big Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday, April 20 with a bounce house, games, egg hunt and giant pool party.

Ocean Reef Community Foundation for your continued support with awarding us the Ocean Reef Community Foundation grant for more than 10 years!

We couldn't do it without you! We are so appreciative of your generosity in our community.

Invasive Species in the Florida Keys

Dr. Douglas Mader - Veterinarian and Author

Dr. Mader will discuss the changes in the Florida Keys’ fauna and flora over recent decades, highlighting the impact of invasive species. Notable invaders include the Green iguana, pythons, Lionfish, Cuban tree frogs, Haitian curly-tailed lizards, Myna birds, and Monk parakeets. Invasive plants like Australian Pine and Brazilian Pepper trees also pose significant threats. Each new species, regardless of size, harms the sensitive ecosystem of the Keys.

SPRING CLEANING

Keys locals get dirty to keep islands clean

TIFFANY DUONG

tiffany@keysweekly.com

Locals across the Keys joined in and got dirty last month to keep their islands clean. Whether that meant picking up marine debris on a cleanup dive or wading through mangroves to unwind derelict fishing lines, one thing was clear: this is our house, our responsibility. Various organizations throughout the Keys — nonprofits and dive shops — hosted the cleanups, which took place across the entire length of the islands.

Results of the cleanups:

• Coastlove: 4,024.7 pounds of debris in one day at Dagny Johnson State Park in Key Largo.

• Surfrider, Florida Keys Chapter: 407 pounds at the Channel 2 Bridge in Islamorada.

• Key Dives: 322 pounds off Islamorada reefs during Goal: Clean Seas programs

• Captain’s Corner: 238 pounds off Key West reefs during Goal: Clean Seas programs.

• Conch Republic Marine Army: bags of derelict line in Marathon.

1: Key Dives’ conservation coordinator Morgan Gardner holds a large amount of debris during a recent cleanup off Islamorada. 2: CoastLove cleanups helped remove thousands of pounds of derelict fishing gear. Participants gather debris during a cleanup on Summerland Key. 3: Clean Seas leaders from Captain’s Corner Dive Center in Key West sort and weigh their day’s haul from two cleanup dives. 4: Surfrider’s Nikki Cox retrieves an abandoned bird’s nest constructed with lots of plastic – a toxic downside of plastic pollution in our natural environments — during cleanup in Islamorada. 5: Divers help retrieve derelict fishing and trap lines that can entangle corals and marine animals during a cleanup off Key West. Photos by Tiffany Duong, Joseph Henry, Derek Bardini and CoastLove. Full gallery at keysweekly.com.

SPRING FEVER

THREE NEW RELEASES TO OBSESS OVER

BROKEN COUNTRY

By Clare Leslie Hall

KAREN NEWFIELD

Beth lives in a small, charming village in the English countryside. As a teen during the 1950s, when most of her peers dreamed of marriage and babies, Beth envisioned studying literature at Oxford. The summer before her final year of high school, she wanders through a meadow and meets Gabriel, and they fall madly in love. Gabriel, a year older and extremely wealthy, shares her passion for writing. He is beautiful, gentle and completely captivating. However, Gabriel’s controlling mother disapproves and is determined to sabotage their relationship. Fast-forward to the 1960s, and Beth is now married to Frank. Together, they run a large farm with his brother Jimmy, still mourning the loss of their son. After a decade of silence, Gabriel unexpectedly returns. The village erupts in gossip, judging Beth for reconnecting with her first love. Through it all, kind and steadfast Frank remains unwavering in his commitment to their marriage and farm. Shifting between past and present, we are led to a courtroom trial. Someone stands accused of murder. Who is on trial? Who was killed? And why? This is a breathtaking rollercoaster of love, heartbreak and secrets that I didn’t want to end.

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.

IT’S A

By Annabel Monaghan

Growing up on television was not always easy. As an awkward adolescent actress, Jane Jackson played Janey Jakes on a hit TV show that paid the bills and made her famous. All grown up now, Jane works behind the scenes for a Hollywood studio with her eye on the prize: getting a script the green light. Finally, “True Story” is a romance she is sure will be a hit. Jane must now convince her boss Nathan to take a chance without the explosive action he favors. Jane reaches for her only secret weapon – she is convinced that mega-star Jack Quinlin, whom she knew back in the day, will write a theme song for the movie. Jane is paired with cinematographer Dan – her personal nemesis – to make this deal happen. Jane and Dan head to the east coast for a music festival to beg for Jack’s help. They spend the week at Dan’s family home that is filled with siblings, babies and laughter, revealing a completely different side to this complicated man. A fast-paced adorable romance, this read is the absolute perfect pick for a day at the beach. Releases May 27, 2025.

THE

By Florence Knapp

Today, Cora must fill out the paperwork at the birth registrar’s office. She goes into town with little Maia by her side and a baby boy in his pram. Silently grieving, she cannot imagine naming this innocent child “Gordon” after his father and father’s father. The name denotes a history of arrogant, ruthless men who control her life. As a physician, everyone imagines her husband Gordon to be a catch – handsome, intelligent and able to provide for his family. Little do they realize what Cora’s life is like behind closed doors: virtually a prison. Cora imagines what it would be like to name the baby Julian, while 8-year-old Maia dreams of Bear. Cora also imagines the terrifying consequences of going against her husband’s wishes. As the reader delves into three parallel worlds, the boy’s name dictates his future self and in turn the lives of both Maia and Cora. Although the descriptive domestic abuse can be extremely difficult to read, this debut novel is both gorgeously written and hopeful. The themes of generational trauma, personal identity and motherhood make this layered story a thought-provoking and necessary read. Releases May 6, 2025.

#WorthWatching:

Amanda Seyfried plays a Philadelphia police officer searching for her sister, a drug addict who has disappeared. “Long Bright River” can be seen on Peacock and is a fabulous book-to-screen mystery.

LOVE STORY

NAMES

Holy Week Schedule

13th, Palm Sunday Services 9:00 & 11:00 am Wednesday, April 16th 6:00 pm Taize Thursday, April 17th 5:00 pm Maundy Thursday Service

Friday, April 18th Noon Good Friday Service Saturday, April 19th 10:00 am Easter Egg Hunt - 5:00 pm Easter Vigil

Sunday Services 9:00 & 11:00 am

Music makers and lovers will converge in Key West for the 29th annual Key West Songwriters Festival April 30-May 4.

The largest festival of its kind in the world, the gathering has kicked off the careers of numerous household musical names, and this year will spotlight more than 230 creators, from veteran songwriters and hit-makers to up-and-coming artists, with performances ranging from acoustic story-telling sessions in the round at theaters, bars and beaches, to full band performances on concert stages.

Artists leading the 2025 lineup include Nate Smith, Chase Mat-

thew, LoCash, Dylan Altman, Ronnie Bowman, Chuck Cannon, Bob DePiero, Thomas Edwards, Marti Frederiksen, Elisha Hoffman, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Raul Malo, Liz Rose, Tommy Sims, James Slater and Jeffrey Steele.

The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association’s songwriters festival is presented by BMI with Rams Head Presents, with support of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council. Many performances are free; tickets can be purchased individually or as a package. More information is at keywestsongwritersfestival.com.

The Main Stage on Duval Street hosts a free concert during last year’s Key West Songwriters Festival.

Ocean Key Resort’s

Festival.

... is a photographer, writer, and semi-professional birdwatcher. He has lived in Key West for more than 25 years and may no longer be employable in the real world. He is also executive director of the Florida Keys Audubon Society.

The owl looked straight at me over his left shoulder, then swiveled his head about 350 degrees and looked straight at me over his right shoulder. Which made me laugh louder than I should have.

His eyes were a bright yellow. Maybe not a banana yellow so much as banana jellybean yellow, something close to the same color as a grackle’s eyes, but a little less color-saturated, and about 10 or 15 times the size, with possibly 10 to 15 times the acuity, and a definite kajillion times more charm.

This one was an Antillean short-eared owl, a subspecies of the short-eared owl, one of the most widely distributed bird species in the world. They are found on every continent except Antarctica, as well as a lot of outlying islands, such as the Galapagos, the Falklands, Hawaii and several western Pacific islands that are almost too small to find on a map.

This one most likely came from Cuba.

There are about 10 subspecies of shorteared owls around the world. In North America (and Europe, northern Asia and northern Africa) we have the subspecies flammeus. While they do winter in Florida, we don’t really see them in the Keys.

Every few years since the 1970s, the Antillean short-eared owl has been seen in the Keys, almost always in April, though rarely for more than a couple days at a stretch.

There are a number of field marks, but the easiest way to identify the Antillean is by the dark feathers that encircle their facial disk.

A lot of American and Canadian birders consider the Antillean subspecies to be a bankable bird, meaning it may eventually be considered its own species, and could then be retroactively added as a new species on their life list. Which isn’t crazy. Last year the barn owl, which is distributed in the similar everycontinent-but-Antarctica range, and has been considered a single species forever, was split into three separate species.

The bird I was looking at, the one doing the cute Linda Blair impersonation, had been seen on Sunday night by Chris and Beth Bergh, who were walking through the park just north of the Seven Mile Bridge. I believe they’d heard about it from someone who’d seen it the night before.

It was in a grassy little micro-vale, a dip in the ground really, next to a very small hammock, inside the curve of the bike path.

Chris had texted me about it the night before, but I decided I wasn’t going to chase it. It was too far to drive, especially for a species and subspecies I’d seen before.

OWL BE THERE

As the day wore on, though, it began to eat at me. When was the last time I’d seen an owl in the Keys? When was the last time I’d taken the risk to spend several hours making the effort to chase a bird I probably wasn’t going to see? When was the last time I’d had the joy of sitting in Key West traffic during rush hour?

I thought about the fact that it had been more than a decade since I’d last seen an Antillean short-eared owl, or any type of shorteared owl, and how I still looked to see one in that same spot at Fort Zach every time I was there.

Drip, drip, drip, until late in the afternoon, possibly a little too close to evening, I penned the dog up in the kitchen — she eats books if we don’t, and from the kitchen she has access to the fenced-in backyard — grabbed my camera and binoculars, and headed north.

I got to the parking lot at the Marathon end of the bridge around 7 p.m., but the lot was full, and I had to wait an interminable four or five minutes for someone to leave so I could take their spot. Who knew one of the most famous bridges in the world would be a popular place to see the sunset? Other than everyone who lives in Marathon, I mean.

As I was starting down to the bike path I got a text from Chris Bergh. Beth was looking at the owl at that very moment. Excellent, I thought. No need to hurry. But then I remembered that short-eared owls could be somewhat crepuscular. The sun was starting to set? What if the bird decides now is the time to go out on a hunting run? I got a little less lackadaisical in my stride.

I found Beth in the very small hammock. She was with her friend Claudine Bartels, who was sitting on the ground with the long lens of her camera raised. I followed the line of the lens and about 20 yards away, sitting in the grass, was the owl, blinking his yellow eyes in his dark-rimmed face, nonplussed by the at-

tention. I raised my camera and took a couple shots just so I wouldn’t feel like I missed it.

Beth noted it was a little worrisome that the bird had been in pretty much the same spot for three days, including in the aftermath of the Seven Mile Bridge Run, where tons of people would have been around. No doubt whatever wild thought had inspired it to fly here from Cuba had led to it being somewhat exhausted. It was also a little worrisome that the bird was so nonplussed with so many people around, keeping an eye on us, but not reacting beyond that.

Beth was worried enough that she had already called the folks at Marathon Wild Bird Center, who were on the way to assess the owl.

In the meantime the bird spent a lot of time preening, and at one point leapt a few feet in the air, then dropped face-first into the weeds, like it was hunting, all good signs of health, making things a little more ambiguous. Claudine and I both took a lot of pictures.

The general rule (as I understand it) with birds is, if there is nothing visibly wrong with them, and they are not easy to catch, they are probably fine. When Dana Child, a volunteer with the center arrived with his white pick up truck and pulled a big net pole out, he caught the owl in two tries. Which is pretty easy on the catching birds scale. So he took the bird to the center to get checked out.

When I called Kelly Grinter, who runs the center, on Tuesday morning, she said the bird was in very good health. No visible injuries, not underweight, and it didn’t have any of the signs of neurological issues or having ingested something toxic.

Maybe the bird was tired. Maybe it was just very mellow.

Kelly said they’d keep an eye on the owl for a day or two, then most likely release it in a different spot, somewhere less well traveled and a little further from the highway.

An Antillean short-eared owl seen recently in Marathon. MARK HEDDEN/Keys Weekly

MARK HEDDEN

Don ’ t forget about our Fuel Dock, next to Restaurant. Great

WATERFRONT RESTAURANT

Enjoy our daily specials like Homemade Soup or Chowder, Fresh Fish Sandwich or One of our Daily Specials while overlooking Florida Bay! Open for Lunch & Dinner Every Day!

RETAIL STORE

Fish, Soups and Chowders & Key Lime Pie!

90 Octane Ethanol free Open 7am to Noon Every Day but Sunday.

SQUARE GROUPER: KEY WEST’S NEWEST GO-TO SPOT

Now serving brunch on Saturday & Sunday

Now Hiring FINANCE MANAGER

The Keys Weekly Newspapers and Overseas Media Group are seeking an organized, detail-orientated and responsible professional to manage the organizations’ financial tasks including intercompany accounting while supporting an active sales team.

Qualified candidates are proficient with Quickbooks, possess great communication skills, are able to track income and expenses across multiple revenue streams along with the ability to create budgets and establish efficient processes.

This is a full time, salaried, administrative position with health benefits, IRA contributions and more. Send your confidential resume and credentials to jobs@keysweekly.com.

The name may be an irreverent, inside joke about the Florida Keys’ old days of pot smuggling and pirate-like behavior, but the owners and staff at Square Grouper Key West take their food seriously. And it’s seriously good. As in, go back twice in a week for brunch and dinner, good.

That’s what we did on a recent Saturday morning for brunch and Monday evening for dinner — and we were thrilled with both visits.

For the uninitiated, “square grouper” was the term Keys fishermen and smugglers used to describe bales of marjuana when they were found floating in the ocean. And the decor of all three Square Grouper restaurants — Cudjoe Key, Islamorada and now Key West — is reminiscent of the burlapwrapped bales and photos of real-life smugglers (for whom the statute of limitations long ago expired).

Lynn Bell, who still owns and operates the Cudjoe Key location, spends a few days a week in Key West, where her son, Joe Bell, runs the new Key West restaurant.

Longtime Key West locals will recall the building at 920 Caroline St. as the old PT’s Late Night, and more recently as Off the Hook. But the interior and exterior have been completely upgraded.

The giant windows along the inside bar now open to reveal outside seating. Cornhole games and pingpong tables are also outside to entertain hungry customers while waiting for a table or bar seat.

recently included a blackened grouper benedict, the most flaky and tender chicken and waffles and shrimp tacos. (Note: When given a choice of sides, always get the waffle-cut sweet potato fries. Always.)

Oh, and don’t miss the raw bar selection, which offers stone crab claws in season, a half-dozen oyster selections and more, all artfully arranged in a classic clawfoot-style tub packed with ice.

The staff is excellent, from Lynn and Joe Bell, to chef Shane Le Beet, manager Nate Dewolf, bartender Britt Gordon and server Braelie Ray. “Everyone just seems really happy to be here, and it shows,” said Key West resident and recent diner Simone Lasswell. “Of course, maybe they’re happy because they all found a square grouper to share — just kidding!”

Square Grouper Key West is open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and for dinner from 5 to 10 p.m., but is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Saturdays and Sundays now find the regular lunch menu supplemented with about five brunch items, which

The bar offers a spicy bloody mary topped with a fried softshell crab, while dinner rocked our world with the ahi tuna and avocado eggrolls, the yellowtail piccata and the most tender, flash-fried conch Stan has ever eaten. (I should mention, the espresso martinis were also a hit at both meals, but then again, that comment — by me — will surprise no one.)

Square Grouper doesn’t take reservations, but there’s a full bar and outside entertainment to pass the time while you wait for a table — and it’s worth the wait.

MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

Top: Thin, tender chicken atop light, fluffy, homemade waffles makes the ideal chicken & waffles combo. Above: Keys restaurateurs Lynn Bell and her son, Joe Bell, in front of Key West’s popular new culinary addition, Square Grouper Key West, 920 Caroline St. MANDY MILES/Keys Weekly

PENNY

3.5-year-old-female pit bull mix.

Looking for: A loving home full of treats and belly rubs.

Turnoffs: I’m not sure about other dogs yet.

SWIPE RIGHT

Adorable furry faces are waiting for families at the Florida Keys SPCA

Keys Weekly is thrilled each week to showcase some “furever” friends that are ready, waiting and available for their perfect adoption “match” at the Florida Keys SPCA’s Marathon campus – complete with their best qualities, preferences and turnoffs to ensure the best fit.

From cats and dogs to guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, reptiles and birds, the perfect addition to your family is waiting for you at one of the SPCA’s two campuses, in Key West and Marathon. The SPCA’s knowledgeable staff will help with advice and care tips while working to ensure a good fit between each pet and its people.

See all the animals waiting for a home at fkspca.org. To contact the Marathon campus, call 305-743-4800 or visit 10550 Aviation Blvd.

THIRSTY

1.5-year-old domestic shorthair.

Looking for: Someone to notice me.

Turnoffs: The other cats bully me.

ANDOUILLE

3-year-old male domestic shorthair.

Looking for: I’d like to be the ruler of your home, and do as I please.

Turnoffs: Other cats. They’re subpar. Kittens are cool though.

Having Fun in the Middle Keys

Founded by Betty Debnam

Meet Will Shakespeare

William Shakespeare was born in April 1564, and even now, more than 460 years later, his plays, including “Romeo and Juliet” and “Hamlet,” are among the most admired literature in the world. He is also known for his sonnets (SAHNits), a special type of poem.

This week, The Mini Page learns more about the writer known as the Bard.

WILL’S

HOME

William was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. His father, John Shakespeare, was wealthy. He had gained much of his money from his wife, Mary Arden. A woman’s property went to her husband at that time.

William’s dad made leather goods such as gloves. He was also a top official in Stratford. He was chief alderman, or an elected official similar to a city councilman. At times, he served as deputy bailiff (BAY-lif), or sheriff.

William grew up with five siblings and many cousins. His mother and grandmotherprobably taught the kids to read at home.

When they were 4 or 5 years old, children learned to read with a hornbook, or a little wooden tablet with a piece of paper or parchment glued to it. It was covered

TRY ’N’ FIND

ACTOR, ALDERMAN, ANNE, BAILIFF, BARD, ENGLAND, GLOBE, HORNBOOK, LONDON, PLAYERS, PLAYS, POEM, SCHOOL, SHAKESPEARE, SONNETS, STRATFORD, THEATER, WILLIAM, WRITER.

with a thin, protective piece of animal horn. Children attending grammar school usually learned both reading and writing. There were no set rules for how to spell words at that time, so nobody had spelling tests.

GOING TO SCHOOL

When he was 7, William began attending the Stratford Grammar School, an excellent school founded in 1295. It was in a large hall above a meeting room.

School was hard. The school day started at 6 a.m. in the summer and 7 a.m. in the winter. It lasted eight to 12 hours, six days a week. Kids had to bring their own candles to study in the dark.

The boys studied plays and literature by ancient Romans and Greeks. Students learned by reciting or writing things over and over. They had to memorize a lot. They also had to learn how to compose their own works.

DRAMATIC PLAYS

About once a year, groups of traveling players, or actors, came to Stratford. From the time he was about 8, William was able to watch plays with the rest of the townspeople.

Players would perform in front of town officials, in the square or in an inn yard. People would watch from balconies around the inn.

There were no women players. Young men acted the women’s parts. Traveling players may have performed in churches or on temporary stages built in the town.

where they performed.

GROWING UP

William left school at around 15 years old and may have become a schoolmaster in a household in northern England, or he may have become an actor.

He returned to Stratford when he was 18 and married a neighborhood girl, Anne Hathaway. They had a daughter, Susanna, and twins, Hamnet and Judith. Hamnet died when he was 11.

SHAKESPEARE’S PLAYS

We don’t know how Shakespeare got started in theater, but experts know he was in London acting and writing plays by the 1590s.

His playwriting career went very well. He bought a house in Stratford for his family. He became part owner of a successful playing, or acting, company called The King’s Men. It was probably sponsored, or supported, by King James. Shakespeare also owned property in London.

RESOURCES

On the Web:

• folger.edu/explore/shakespearefor-kids

At the library:

• “Shakespeare’s First Folio: All the Plays: A Children’s Edition” by The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust

Words that remind us of William Shakespeare are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find:

A global seafood company is offering a $48 bounty per fish captured after around 27,000 of its farmed salmon escaped from a facility off Norway’s coast, sparking concerns for the area’s ecology. The escape occurred after a powerful winter storm damaged a fish pen in Troms. Norway’s government has ruled out banning open-net farms, where fish are raised in large floating cages in the ocean. Conservationists warn that escaped farmed salmon threaten wild populations by reducing genetic diversity and spreading disease.

The Mini Page® © 2024 Andrews

Mini Fact: This painting from 1834 shows the house where Shakespeare was born (center house).

art by

Phoebe Dightonrt, courtesy Folger Shakespeare Library

A hornbook

William Shakespeare

Shakespeare’s acting company built the Globe Theatre in London,

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LOCKING IN

Four lifters headed to states | P.4

APRIL 10

Marathon Baseball Berean Christian 4/1 W, 8-3

Coral Shores Baseball Dade Christian 4/1 W, 7-6

Marathon Baseball Berean Christian 4/1 W, 14-0

Coral Shores Softball Colonial Christian 4/1 W, 33-24

Coral Shores Boys Lacrosse Miami Country Day 4/1 W, 8-5

Coral Shores Girls Lacrosse Palmer 4/1 L, 10-3

Marathon Softball Ransom 4/2 W, 22-10 Key West Baseball Miami Academy Charter 4/2 L, 11-9 Key West Softball Mater Bay Academy 4/2 W, 20-5

Coral Shores Baseball Mater Bay Academy 4/2 W, 14-4 Key West Girls Lacrosse Miami Country Day 4/3 L, 11-10 Marathon Baseball Jupiter Christian 4/3 L, 5-1

Key West Boys Lacrosse Miami Country Day 4/3 W, 17-11

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

HOLLY

He is a great leader on and off the field with his teammates. He’s a big part of why we are 16-1-1.”

.788

Coral Shores senior Eddie Holly currently leads the Hurricanes in home runs this season with three, all of which were pounded out last week in a magnificent performance at the plate. He started the week with a tworun homer against Dade Christian in a game that could not have been closer, helping the Hurricanes to keep their win streak alive. The following night, Holly let two fly, driving in five runs with an unprecedented three homers in one week.

Holly leads the team in on-base percentage at .600, which coach Joe Szymanski described as unheard-of. Holly is currently hitting .455 and his slugging percentage is .788. Defensively, he is perfect 98.6% of the time, making him, statistically, nothing short of a phenom. For his unparalleled contributions to the Hurricanes last week and all season long, Coral Shores’ Eddie Holly is the Keys Weekly Athlete of the Week.

THIS WEEK Eddie

Senior, Coral Shores

Photo by: JOY SMITH/Keys Weekly

four of Marathon’s weightlifting captains will head to

big dance at the FHSAA State Championships. From left: Max Childress, Tanner Ross, Matthias Martinez-Velez and Damian Stasiewicz.

Baseball DH/Catcher

– Hurricane coach Joe Szymanski

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.

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.

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IN CONTENTION

Four Keys lifters qualify for state championships

On April 3, Coral Shores and Marathon sent some of the strongest young men in the Florida Keys to the FHSAA 1A Region 4 championships in Frostproof. For four of them, it won’t be the final stop in their postseason journey.

Marathon had a strong showing, securing a third-place team total in Olympic lifts and a runner-up trophy in traditional. Fueling the team’s successful showing at regionals were two first-place titles as well as multiple second-place finishes to stack on points to their team totals, much as they do with plates on their Olympic bars. Coral Shores did not place in the top 10 at regionals as a team, but had some success in individual weight categories.

Two lifters left Frostproof with automatic qualifications for the state meet by winning their weight classes outright. Marathon’s Matthias Martinez-Velez won the regional championship in the traditional event in his 139-pound weight class. He combined 225 pounds on the bench with 180 on his clean and jerk to win the title outright and punch his card to states. Martinez-Velez is in a three-way tie for the eighth-place ranking for states. The talented junior came in fourth in the Olympic competition, missing a second state bid by a five-pound one-place margin.

Joining Martinez-Velez at the top spot on the podium last week was senior Damian Stasiewicz, who claimed a regional title in the Olympic competition and a runner-up medal in traditional. The 169-pound lifter paired a 185-pound snatch lift with 185 pounds in the clean and jerk to win the title. Stasiewicz is tied for eighth in the state rankings in Olympic lifts and will also compete in the traditional event at states.

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Marathon’s best shot at a medal lies with junior Max Childress, who brought home a pair of second-place finishes from regionals in the 183-pound class. In the Olympic event, Childress snatched 185 pounds and added a 275-pound clean to secure his medal and qualify for states, where he is ranked fourth. Given that he failed his final

tracy mcdonald

sean mcdonald

CONTENTION

snatch, it is likely that Childress has the ability to add at least 10 pounds to his total and could bring home some hardware. In traditional lifts, he is ranked fifth with a 265-pound bench added to his clean lift. Childress likely has more in the tank at bench, as well.

The final competitor to qualify for states in boys weightlifting this season is Tanner Ross. Like Childress, Ross secured a pair of runner-up medals at regionals. In the 199-pound Olympic category, the senior put together 205 pounds in the snatch with 265 pounds in clean to tie for an eighth-place ranking at states. Ross failed both of his final lifts at regionals, giving him a potential extra 20 at states, which could easily bump the senior into medal contention. In the traditional event, Ross benched 265 in his second lift and went for a big 15-pound increase in lift number three, which was recorded as a fail. Should he find the fortitude to dig deep and clear his best attempts from regionals at the state meet, Ross could also find the podium in that event.

The team captains have led the Fins to resounding success this season.

Coral Shores did not have any state qualifiers, but did have some notable performances at regionals. Tyler Bettner placed third in the traditional event and fifth in Olympic at 139 pounds, bringing home a pair of medals. Teammate Aaron Lykins was the runner-up behind Stasiewicz in the 169-pound class in Olympic lifts. Despite coming in second, Lykins missed the state cut by two places with just five pounds of combined weight separating him from the big dance. Lykins was third in traditional lifts, giving him two regional medals this season. At 154 pounds, William Roberts medaled in sixth place in the Olympic category.

The four Fins and their coaches head to Lakeland’s R.P. Funding Center this week for the FHSAA 1A State Championships, which will occur Saturday, April 12.

Far left: Tanner Ross puts up a 265-pound clean and jerk.

Left: Max Childress preps for his 265-pound clean and jerk at regionals.

Right: Marathon’s Matthias MartinezVelez, left, Max Childress, Damian Stasiewicz and Tanner Ross will head to states this week to compete in the FHSAA 1A Championships in Lakeland.

Photos by Barry Gaukel and Jackson Garcia

NEXT LEVEL

Two Conchs sign letters of intent

ASoccer star DJ Barrett, left, and baseball standout Sam Holland sign their letters of intent with Roosevelt University and the University of Tampa.

MAICEY MALGRAT/ Keys Weekly

BATTING 1.000

Softball teams have perfect week of wins Keys-wide

As the final month of prep softball’s regular season began, Keys teams refused to lose.

The

pair of Key West athletes signed national letters of intent last week to take their skills to the next level.

Come fall, baseball player Sam Holland will continue to don red, but the Conch will put on a Spartan hat for Division II baseball stronghold University of Tampa. Holland’s performance in the outfield has been nothing short of stellar this season, with a .985 fielding percentage. His ability to gun the ball from deep in the outfield makes him an asset, and he has turned five double plays this season, a testament to his athleticism. Holland’s bat also attracted much collegiate attention; he is batting .323 with 21 hits, 18 RBIs, 11 doubles and a home run this season.

Also signing was soccer standout Dennis “DJ” Barrett. The defenseman, described as a true team leader for the Conchs who is willing to do the gritty work behind the scenes, often without recognition, will take his can-do attitude to Chicago’s Roosevelt University.

The Division II Lakers are very excited with their Southernmost addition. "We’re thrilled to have Dennis joining our program at Roosevelt University,” said coach Paddy Hoepp. “He brings an infectious energy to the team, combines physicality with a strong work ethic, and has the kind of mindset that will help him grow quickly at the college level. We’re excited to see him develop and make an impact in our squad."

Key West added to their win column last week after routing the Rays of Mater Bay Academy 20-5 on April 2. The Conchs piled on 18 hits, with Kaleaya Dickerson and Tavyn Gage accounting for three each. Chloe Kongos, Kaleya Cervantes and Alexa Condella added two each. Ryleigh Harnish earned the win on the mound, fanning three, walking nine and allowing two hits over three innings. Brianna Brenner put in four innings of work in the circle, striking out five, walking one and giving up just one hit. The team stands at 10-6 with a little over a week to go in the regular season.

Coral Shores improved to 3-4 after a two-game win streak, starting with the Patriots of Colonial Christian. Despite it being April Fool’s Day, the 33-24 score was legit. The ’Canes stacked up 20 hits, with four from Presley Bagwell and three each from Jenna Mandozzi, Chloie Stanley and Addison Gady. Mira Jones earned the win pitching four and one-third innings, striking out seven, walking six and giving up four hits. Bagwell spent two and twothirds innings in the circle, fanning five, walking six and surrendering seven hits to the Patriots.

it being April Fool’s Day, the 33-24 score was

On April 4, the Hurricanes picked up their second road win of the week against Ransom Everglades. Jones had the hot bat for Coral Shores, registering four hits. Melanie Estevez added three more to the team total of 12, with Arianna Talan driving in four runs in the 21-11 victory. Bagwell spent five innings pitching, striking out eight, walking nine and surrendering seven hits.

Marathon defeated the Raiders 22-10 errors.

The ’Canes were not the only Keys team to bring home a win from Ransom last week; the Dolphins of Marathon defeated the Raiders 22-10 on April 2. The Fins had 16 hits, with Maeve Merryman and Madelyn Thornton leading the charge. The pair had three hits apiece and Merryman drove in five runs while Thornton had four RBIs. Elena Eubank, Trinity McLeod, Sara Robinson and Elianys Roque had two hits each.

The following day, Marathon hosted Miami Country Day, a team they suffered a mercy-rule loss to just one month prior. This time around, the Fins were ready and did their best to capitalize on five Spartan errors. Merryman, Thornton and Elena Eubank had the Fins’ only hits, but it would be enough. Thornton held the Spartans to a single hit, and Marathon’s defense held steady to safeguard the win. Now 8-4, Marathon, like the rest of Monroe County’s teams, must continue their winning ways to boost their power rankings in hopes of securing a top spot in district playoffs later this month.

ning ways to boost their power rank-

Kaleaya Dickerson had three hits against Mater Bay Academy on April 2. MAICEY MALGRAT/Keys Weekly

CIVIL SERVICE

’Canes girls and Fins boys enjoy late-season wins

On April 2, Marathon hosted Coral Shores, with the Dolphins and Hurricanes trading wins on the tennis courts. Though the teams are one another’s closest rivals, the Fins and ’Canes tennis crews enjoy a civil relationship, meeting up multiple times each season and looking forward to rematches.

“It’s great that we get to play them so much,” Marathon coach Kevin Freeman said. “They are a good team with two really good coaches. Our players and theirs get to know each other and it’s always a great match when our teams get together.”

The Lady ’Canes prevailed 6-1, with wins from Chloe Koval, Emma Sogegeian, Harlee Beeler and Kameron Vetter in singles plus wins from the doubles teams of Koval and Vanessa Gabriel and Sogegeian and Emily Rosu. Marathon’s lone winner was Emily Alvear, in the No. 1 singles spot.

Marathon’s boys secured a 5-2 victory, with Adrien Holdinga, Carlos Lezcano and Graham Murphy winning in singles. Holdinga and Lezcano and Matt Delgado and Kasimir Krzypkowski teamed up to take both doubles matches for the Fins. Coral Shores’ wins came from Zach Bolano in the No. 2 singles match and Max Smith at No. 4 singles.

As of press time, Marathon will have played their final regular-season matches while Key West and Coral Shores will play theirs against one another on April 10 in Tavernier. District tournaments span April 14-17 for the various Keys teams.

Adrien Holdinga, left, and Emily Alvear both won matches in Marathon’s No. 1 singles spots last week. BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly

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WRECKING CREW

Eight records fall in track and field action last week

Eight Keys school records were broken last week in track and field as athletes gear up for districts later this month. The first to fall was via the legs of Coral Shores freshman phenom Ali Wheatley, who placed first at a South Dade mini meet on April 1. Wheatley ran the 800-meter run, finishing two laps around the track in 2:36. Teammate Sammy Bates placed second in the same event. Wheatley went on to win the 3,200-meter run in 12:15 for two firsts.

Alaric Rodriguez placed first in the boys 800-meter run, finishing in 2:04. Adrik Gadea was one second behind Rodriguez for second place. Hayden Teal was second in the girls 1,600-meter run, while Tristian Rios and Jamie Cary were second and third in the boys race. Tristan Sanchez took second in the 3,200-meter boys run and Jarmoris Davis was second in shot put.

Two days later, the ’Canes headed to Marathon for the Middle Keys Invite.

Marathon’s girls won the meet 180-142 while Coral Shores won the boys competition 245-237. The Lady Fin win was driven by a trio of first-place throws from junior Justice Lee, whose top tosses re-broke all three of her own Marathon school records. Her discus throw, considered an elite performance by Mile Split, landed 33.20 meters from the throwing circle. That’s just under 109 feet, more than twice as far as her closest competitor. In the shot put, Lee hurled the 6-pound ball 37’3” and her javelin toss was 105’3”. Ava Merryman broke her own school record in pole vault, clearing the bar at 9’7.25” for a first-place finish in the event. Tinashay Cunningham won the 400-meter race in 1:04.25 on the track while Marathon’s jumpers secured multiple field events.

Daysi Williams won the high jump, clearing 4’9.75”, while Caylie Globe leaped 15’7.5” for a first in long jump. Other Fins wins were the 4x800 relay team of Rebecca Merryman, Rilynn Richards, Molly Joly and

Mylana Loza and the 4x100 team of Bryanna Jouvin, Marti Kilbourne, Williams and Adrianna Golding.

The Lady ’Canes saw firsts in the 100-meter dash, finished by Niveah Howard in 14.05 seconds, and the 200-meter dash, with Olive Welch finishing in 30.31. Sammy Bates won the 800 in 2:47 while Wheatley opted for the longer 1,600, which she won in 5:42. Julieanna Oddo raced to a first in the 100 hurdles in 20.03 seconds and the Coral Shores 4x400 team of Mira Jones, Tess Hill, Bates and Kate King was the team’s final first-place finish.

The Hurricane boys took 10 firsts. In the field events, Evan Osipov won the discus with a 120’4” throw while Jarmoris Davis threw the shot 41’11.5”. Adrik Gadea outjumped the field of long jump competitors with a 20’2.25” leap, while Riley Froman won the pole vault competition, clearing a 10’11.75” bar. On the track, Sean Harm won the 200-meter race in 24.76 seconds, Adrik Gadea won the 400 in 53.11 and Victor Lopez

1. Mikail ‘Jay’ Marshall leads the pack in the 100-meter dash.

2. Marathon’s Justice Lee, seen here preparing to unleash a PR javelin toss, broke three of her own school records April 2.

3. Coral Shores’ Evan Osipov won the discus competition at the Middle Keys Invitational on April 2.

4. Fabbianho Louis Jeune catches major air during his winning triple jump on April 2.

was first in the 800 with a time of 2:16. Tristan Sanchez rounded out the individual winners with a 12:25 3,200 race. The Hurricanes had two winning relay teams as well: the 4x100 crew of Uriel Gutierrez, Harm, Danny Malagon and Tanel Irons and 4x400 team of Alaric Rodriguez, Tristian Rios, William Roberts and Gadea raced to first-place finishes.

Marathon’s boys had just two track wins. Mikail Marshall won the 100 in 11.47 seconds and Vance Bursa was first in the 1,600, winning in 4:33. In the jumping events, Fab Louis Jeune won the high jump and triple jump, clearing 5’5.75” and 36’9.5” respectively. Israel Gonzalez won the javelin event with a 111’6” throw. Maverick McDonald’s 8’7” vault did not win but did break a school record.

Key West had some elite performances of its own last week at the Father Luis Ripoll S.J. Relays at Belen Jesuit, where more than a dozen top-level South Florida teams went to compete on April 5. The Conch boys were second overall and the girls were fourth, with multiple notable performances from both squads.

Just prior to the meet’s start, Conchs head coach Dave Perkins asked thrower Noah Mercer if he would be breaking any records that day. Mercer’s short reply,

Photos by RICK MACKENZIE/

“Yep,” rang true as he won the boys discus event with a 152-foot toss that broke his own school record by six feet. Shane Lavallee then hurled the javelin 176’8” to take over that Conch record, surpassing the old one by more than seven feet. And though it was two-and-ahalf inches shy of a school record, Malachi Telisma won first place at the meet with a fantastic 6’3.5” high jump performance.

Other notable performances from Key West’s boys team were Walson Morin’s second-place 200-meter race. Morin also ran a leg of each of Key West’s secondplace relay teams. Morin teamed up with Jeff Dejean, Lavallee and Telisma in the 4x100 and 4x200 relays. Dejean went on to place second in the long and triple jump events, Ian Newton was second in pole vault and Josh Johnson was second in the shot and discus events.

Audrey Smith was the big winner for the Lady Conchs, sweeping the throwing events for a trio of firsts. Smith threw the javelin 119’10”, the discus 110’9” and the shot 28’5.75” to secure nearly half of the team’s points. Colleen Barter accounted for the team’s other first-place finish, clearing the high jump bar at 4’7.75”. Ariel Newton was second in pole vault, clearing 8’10.25”, and then ran a leg of the second-place 4x200 relay team with Alyssandra Camargo, Mirakle Humphrey and Janiliah Moore.

All three Keys teams will meet in Key West on Friday, April 11 to finish out their regular seasons. District meets begin April 22 for Key West and Coral Shores, who will compete at Tropical Park in Miami for the FHSAA 2A District 16 Championships. Marathon will compete the following day at Palmer Trinity for the 1A event.

Jace Jackson’s successful faceoffs helped boost the Hurricanes in a five-game win streak the past two weeks. JOY SMITH/Keys Weekly

HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE

’Canes

and Conchs won’t travel for quarterfinals

Coral Shores baseball is not the only team with an impressive win streak this season. The Hurricane lacrosse team has won its last five games, giving them a slightly easier path in district bracketing as the postseason begins.

Last week, the team added three of those wins, first against Miami Country Day on April 1 in an 8-5 triumph over the Spartans. Yandel Chaguaseda scored three goals and assisted on another to lead the scoring. Zane Martinez and Reed Tudor found the goal twice each and Finn McDonough scored one and assisted on two more. McDonough also picked up 11 ground balls for the ’Canes. Jace Jackson won 15 of his 16 faceoffs and scooped up seven ground balls of his own. Brock Bynum registered 11 saves in goal.

Two days later it was Christian Gonzalez with the high score, with two goals netted. McDonough, Tudor and James Mitchell accounted for the other three and Bynum had another 19 saves in a 5-3 win over Miami Palmetto. The following night, Bynum recorded a rare lacrosse shutout against Keys Gate. A dozen Hurricanes scored against the Knights in a lopsided 18-0 win. Mitchell and Tudor each recorded hat tricks and Drake Prosek and Rory Ferger scored two apiece to bring the team to an 11-5 regular season finish.

Key West finished 8-6 after defeating Miami Country Day 17-11. The win likely boosted the Conchs just enough for them to earn a coveted home-field playoff game in the district quarterfinals this week.

Coral Shores will play Florida Christian in the FHSAA 1 District 16 quarterfinals on Thursday, April 10 at 4 p.m. The ’Canes come into the tournament ranked No. 3 while Florida Christian is sixth in the standings. In their last meetup, the Hurricanes prevailed over the Patriots, but the game was forced into overtime before a victor could emerge. Should the Hurricanes beat the Patriots, their most likely opponent in the semis would be Ransom Everglades, another team the Hurricanes narrowly defeated in the regular season. The topranked team in the district is a formidable Gulliver Prep, a high-scoring crew that remains untested against Keys teams this season.

Key West, ranked No. 4 in District 16, is matched with fifth-ranked Westminster Christian in the quarterfinals. The teams will face off in The Backyard of Key West on April 10 at 6 p.m. Key West is looking to avenge a narrow loss to the Warriors earlier this season, and should they prevail, their path to the championship game becomes a bit trickier; their next opponent would be Gulliver for the semis on April 12.

5. Riley Froman sets up to clear the bar for a win in the boys pole vault competition.

Coral Shores baseball stretched its win streak to 15 last week after a pair of victories, beginning with what amounted to a home run derby against Dade Christian School on April 1. Donovan Thiery started the slugfest with a solo homer to center field before the Warriors retired the side. The game went scoreless for the next two frames until Campbell Lavoie sent one over the center field fence for a solo home run of his own. Then it was Dade Christian’s turn, but unlike the Hurricane homers, this one scored three, giving the Warriors the lead until Eddie Holly drove home two with a shot to left field for home run number four of the game.

By the top of the sixth, Coral Shores was ahead 7-4. A pair of Dade Christian home runs put the Hurricanes in jeopardy, but the team held on and brought home win number 15. Thiery earned the win pitching for Coral Shores while Lavoie collected the save. Lavoie, Holly and AJ Putetti had two hits each in the team total of 10.

15 STRONG Hurricanes extend win streak as all three Keys squads carry winning records

The following night, the ’Canes won 14-4 at Mater Bay Academy. Holly and Putetti’s bats were still on fire, with each slugger logging three hits while Lavoie added two to the team’s 11-hit total. O’Berry threw four innings of no-hit ball, striking out six and walking one. Glade Harrelson closed it out for win number 16 for the team, whose 16-1-1 record should serve them well in district seedings.

MARATHON

Marathon had an action-packed week, playing four games in as many days. They started off at Berean Christian in West Palm Beach for a doubleheader with the Bulldogs on April 1. In game one, Marathon collected seven hits with two from Mason Thornton, who had two RBIs. Gavin Leal added a hit and three RBIs to the team totals. The Fins stole 10 bases, with three each by Thornton and Jason Stubblefield. Shane Dieguez lasted five innings, striking out four, walking none and allowing five hits and zero earned runs in an 8-3 Dolphin win.

Due to the doubleheader, the teams decided to make game one a bit shorter, cutting off play after five frames. Game two would also be abbreviated, but this time due to the mercy rule. In a resounding 14-0 win, Marathon racked up 16 hits, with two each from Dylan Williams, Jack Chapman, Jack Dunn, Gavin Leal and Gabe Leal. Gabe Leal and Curren Nicolay each drove in three runs for the Fins. Roco Piscetello earned the win on the mound, surrendering just two hits, walking one and striking out one batter.

Two nights later, the Fins were at Jupiter Christian, where despite outhitting the Eagles, they lost 5-1. Gabe Leal went the distance on the mound, delivering two strikeouts and two walks while surrendering seven hits. Leal led offensively as well, logging three hits against Jupiter. Jason Stubblefield and Thornton had two hits each out of the Fins’ nine total. The team stole five bases, but luck was with the Eagles, whose perfectly-placed hits gave them the advantage while nine stranded Fins runners made for a low score.

Marathon’s week ended in a home game against Mater Bay Academy on April 4. The Dolphins defeated the Rays 10-3

Top: Coral Shores’ pitcher Campbell Lavoie’s efficiency on the mound has led to a 2.03 ERA this season. The senior hurler has five wins and two saves this season. JOY SMITH/Keys Weekly

Above: A 3-3 performance at the plate by Marathon sophomore Jason Stubblefield, plus two stolen bases, helped power the Dolphins’ home win against Mater Bay Academy on April 4.

SEAN WESTERBAND/Keys Weekly

off 10 hits, led by Stubblefield, who was 3-3 at the plate. Stubblefield went on to steal two of Marathon’s eight stolen bases in the win. Williams, Thornton and Leo Mendez had two hits apiece and Gavin Leal added one. Thornton got the win on the mound with eight strikeouts, one walk and five hits allowed over five innings. Jack Chapman and Dylan Williams finished out the innings to help bring Marathon to a 14-9 record as they await their conference playoff bracket, which will precede district playoffs for the Fins.

KEY WEST

Key West made the trip to Mater Academy Charter on April 2 to take on a talented Lions team. The Conchs put one on the board in the first inning, then the Lions answered back with an eight-run rally for a comfortable lead. Key West took advantage of a pair of errors and strong hitting from Conch bats in the third to narrow the deficit by five runs, but a strong Lions team and the unfortunate first inning were too much to overcome. Roman Garcia had three of Key West’s nine hits. Kade Maltz and Xavier Perez were good for two each in the 11-9 loss.

The Conchs then took their frustrations out on the Stingarees of Miami High in a two-game series with the 7A team. In the April 4 matchup, Key West dispatched them in five innings via nine hits, nine walks and three hit batters. Darreld Tremino and Nelson Ong had two hits each in the win. Tremino had three RBIs and Ong had two. Sam Holland had three RBIs and a pair of stolen bases. Jon Carlos Lampas-Gormley threw four innings for the win, striking out six, walking one and allowing four hits before Kasey Kasper closed the show for a 14-4 Conch win.

The following night, the Stingarees lasted seven innings but still ended up on the losing side thanks to a dozen Conch hits, several of which went for extra bases. Maltz registered two doubles and a triple while Pichardo had a triple and two singles. Tremino smacked three singles for three RBIs and Nelson Ong added two singles. Auggy Davila accounted for the final Conch hit. Vinnie Moline earned the win in four innings on the mound by fanning five, walking two and surrendering four hits. Maltz and Cruz Holmes also saw action, striking out two batters each. The 14-9 Conchs have just two games left in the regular season.

KTIME TO SHINE

Giacopuzzi says that the team will focus on shifting to a more confident dialogue and use their errors from the Country Day game to fuel them in the postseason. The Lady Conchs’ power rankings placed them as the fourth seed in District 16, matching them against No. 5 Lourdes Academy for their quarterfinal matchup on April 9 (results not available at press time).

Coral Shores had a pair of games last week, starting with an away game at Palmer Trinity School on April 1. The Hurricanes lost that one 10-3, but with one game left in the regular season to pick up a W, the team was not about to go winless – and in their final showing, the Hurricanes downright dominated.

Shay Stober scored a half-dozen goals to lead the charge in the April 4 home game against Keys Gate. Lela Goodrich and Ivy Tiedemann each netted hat tricks while Adelynn McNew, Allegra Fucaraccio and Anaia Woods scored two apiece. Saylor Wampler, Chloe Cummings and Eliyanna McLeod accounted for the other three in a 21-2 thumping. Wampler and McLeod enjoyed their first career goals in the team’s first win of the season.

The ’Canes will need to win a play-in game prior to earning a district quarterfinal game. The good news is their opponent for the April 9 play-in was Keys Gate at Westminster Christian School (results not available at press time). A win against the Knights would place the Hurricanes in the quarterfinals, but that game would occur directly afterward, against the district’s top-seeded team.

The Westminster Christian Warriors are not just the top-ranked team in the district; they will play their quarterfinal matchup against either eighth-ranked Coral Shores or ninth-ranked Keys Gate on fresh legs at home when their opponent has just finished a full game.

ey West’s girls lacrosse team finished the regular season 5-8 after a disappointing loss at Miami Country Day on April 3. The Lady Conchs lost 11-10 to the Spartans despite maintaining a narrow lead for the bulk of the game. A last-minute sideline error and twominute penalty gave the Spartans the upper hand, and they capitalized to tie the game and force a six-minute sudden-death overtime period. In such a predicament, Conchs coach Marisa Giacopuzzi said, “It all comes down to the draw. Win the draw, win the game. And that is exactly what Miami Country Day did in less than one minute.”

Though the loss wasn’t the final game the Conchs wanted, some fantastic performances were noted from Key West’s athletes. Althea Olsen was on point in her defense against the Spartans’ top scorer, shutting her down for much of the game. Deanna Mercier scored four goals, picked up three ground balls and won three draw controls to lead the stat boards. The talented senior also caused a turnover. Kaitlyn Piloto netted one goal, won four draws and scooped three ground balls. Colbie Turner scored three and Adriana Dall and Eisley Whitehead each scored one goal while Mavis Bishop won a pair of draw controls. Courtney Grabus and Olivia Moore combined for 16 saves in goal to keep the game close.

From left: Mavis Bishop added one goal to the team total against Miami Country Day last week.

Althea Olsen was credited with putting other teams on lockdown this season.

Saylor Wampler netted her first career goal last week.

Shay Stober scored six against Keys Gate on April 4.

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES •

FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of Ocean Breeze Marathon located at 101 11th Street, Marathon, FL 33050 intends to register said name with the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.

By: 101 11TH STREET LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

Publish: April 10, 2025

The Weekly Newspapers

FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of Sunset Harbor at Cow Key located at 5031 5th Avenue, Key West, FL 33040 intends to register said name with the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.

By: 5031 5th AVENUE LLC, a Delaware limited liability company Publish: April 10, 2025

The Weekly Newspapers

FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of The Hideaway located at 6531 Maloney Avenue, Key West, FL 33040 intends to register said name with the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.

By: 6531 MALONEY AVENUE

Statute 328.17, Robbies of Key West, LLC claims a possessory lien on the following described vessels:

Owned by Phillip Northcutt for unpaid storage fees: a 1974 Coronado Yachts 35’ Sailboat “Starship” HIN: CYNA01840174

Owned by Eric Desantis for unpaid storage fees: a 1972 Morgan 36.5’ Sailboat “Southern Aire” HIN: 623721

Owned by David Vance for unpaid storage fees: a 1984 Hunter 31.3’ Sailboat “Zephyr” HIN: HUN31366G484

Sealed bids will be accepted on April 18th, 2025 at Robbies of Key West, 7281 Shrimp Rd, Key West Fl 33040. Robbies of Key West, LLC reserves the right to reject any and all bids.

Publish:

April 3 & 10, 2025

The Weekly Newspapers

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

Florida Keys Council of the Arts

Notice of Upcoming Meetings

Apr 21, 2025, at 4:00 PM

Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 868 5977 7957

Passcode: 474491

Executive Committee Meeting

Apr 23, 2025, at 4:00 PM Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 829 1861 1720

Passcode: 588567

Publish: April 10, 2025

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS CITY OF MARATHON REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) FOR

PROFESSIONAL AUDITING

SERVICES NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that sealed proposals will be received by the CITY OF MARATHON, until 10:00 am, local time, Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at the Clerk’s office of the City of Marathon located at 9805 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Florida, 33050.

Marathon, FL 33050, or by email to: ci.marathon.fl.us.cityofmarathon@ No verbal communications shall be binding. Only written Addendum from the City shall be Publish:binding. April 10, 2025

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS CITY OF MARATHON NOTICE TO QUALIFIED PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER: REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

PUBLIC NOTICE

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.

THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.

The date of first publication of this Notice is: April 10, 2025.

Co-Personal Representative: HARVEY E. BROWN

c/o Samuel J. Kaufman, Esq.

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

3130 Northside Drive Key West, Florida 33040

Florida Bar Number: 359173 Cunningham Miller Rhyne PA 10075 Overseas Hwy PO Box 500938

Marathon, FL 33050

Telephone: (305) 743-9428

Fax: (305) 743-8800

E-Mail: service@ floridakeyslaw.com

Secondary E-Mail: rmiller@ floridakeyslaw.com

Co-Personal Representative: JILL E. WINLAND-BROWN

c/o Samuel J. Kaufman, Esq.

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

3130 Northside Drive Key West, Florida 33040

LLC, a Delaware limited liability

Publish:company

April 10, 2025

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

Please take notice that in accordance with Florida

The Florida Keys Council of the Arts will hold the following meetings via Communications Media Technology using a ZOOM webinar platform. The access points to view the Zoom meetings or for members of the public to provide public input will be: JOIN ZOOM via the Zoom app and use each meeting ID and password listed. Meetings are open to the public, and all are invited to attend. Questions, or to RSVP, please email Liz Young at director@keysarts.com

Art In Public Places Committee Meeting

Apr 15, 2025, at 4:00 PM Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 889 2768 6745

Passcode: 960431 Council of the Arts Nominating Committee

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:

The City of Marathon, Florida, hereby requests, sealed "Proposals" from Professional auditors to provide auditing Services to the City of Marathon.

Proposals shall be prepared, addressed and submitted in compliance with detailed instructions as set forth in the RFP documents. Bid documents may be examined and obtained online at www. demandstar.com.

The City reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals, to waive irregularities, technical errors and formalities, and to award the contract as it deems will best serve the interest of the City.

Any questions by prospective Proposers concerning this RFP shall be addressed in writing to the City Clerk, not later than 7 days prior to the submittal date by mail to 9805 Overseas Highway,

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

The City of Marathon, Florida, is seeking to hire a contracted Public Information Officer (PIO) to manage all social media and press releases within the City of Marathon. The PIO will keep the media and public informed of the services and accomplishments of the City. This includes but is not limited to: writing press releases, all social media (Facebook, etc.), television, website information, and communication with the press. Request for Qualifications (RFQ) documents may be examined at City Hall, 9805 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Florida. RFQ documents may also be examined online at www.demandstar.com. All RFQ documents must be obtained from Demand Star. RFQ documents obtained from any source other than Demand Star may not be accurate or complete, and each Responder and subcontractor assumes all risks by their reliance on such documents. Any Responder or sub-contractor who does not obtain the RFQ documents from Demand Star will not be notified of any RFQ addenda issued by the City, which could contain material changes thereto (such as additions or changes to the technical specifications, extensions of time, etc.)

Responses should be limited to 10 pages.

To be considered, qualifications packages must be submitted to the City Clerk of the City of Marathon. Qualifications packages will be received by the City Clerk, at the City of Marathon City Hall, 9805 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Florida 33050 until 3:00 PM EDT, May 15, 2025 (the “Response Submission Deadline”). Responses received after this time will not be considered. Responses received will be opened promptly thereafter. One (1) original qualification package and two (2) complete unbound copies must be signed and submitted in a sealed opaque envelope. Envelopes must be clearly marked:

City Clerk City of Marathon RESPONSE TO RFQ

Public Information Officer (PIO)

Publish: April 10, 2025

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

PROBATE DIVISION

File No. 25-CP-000093-P Division: Probate IN RE: ESTATE OF Charles C. Phelan, also known as, Charles Craven Phelan, Deceased.

The administration of the estate of Charles C. Phelan, deceased, whose date of death was July 5, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88770 Overseas Highway Suite 2, Plantation Key, FL 33070. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative's attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent

The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent's death by the decedent or the decedent's surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216-732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes.

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

The date of first publication of this notice is April 10, 2025.

Personal Representative:  Sandra L. Phelan 121 Front Street, Unit E  Lewes, DE 19958 Attorney for Personal Representative:  Bryan E. Bloom Florida Bar No.126722  Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

2600 Campus Drive Florham Park, NJ 07932  Email Address: bryan.bloom@ faegredrinker.com Telephone: 973-549-7104 Publish: April 10 & 17, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION CASE NO.: 25-CP-125-K IN RE: THE ESTATE OF LARRIE STEPHEN BUSLOFF, Deceased. NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of LARRIE STEPHEN BUSLOFF, deceased, whose date of death was March 17, 2025, Case: 25-CP-125-K, is pending in the Circuit Court, Probate Division, the address of which is 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040. The names and addresses of the personal representatives and the personal representatives’ attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, on whom a copy of this notice is served must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF

Attorney for Co-Personal Representatives: Samuel J. Kaufman, Esq. Florida Bar No. 0144304

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

3130 Northside Drive Key West, Florida 33040

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

Telephone: (305) 292-3926

Fax: (305) 295-7947

Publish: April 10 & 17, 2025

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 25-CP-97-M

DIVISION: MARATHON IN RE: ESTATE OF DONALD ROBERT BRASWELL Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of Donald Robert Braswell, deceased, whose date of death was February 17, 2025, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 3117 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent's death by the decedent or the decedent's surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216-732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.

The date of first publication of this notice is: April 3, 2025.

Personal Representative: James Gary Braswell 670 E. Riverside Dr. Bastrop, TX 78602 Attorney for Personal Representative: Robert K. Miller, Esq. Attorney

Publish: April 3 & 10, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA

KEY WEST DIVISION “IN ADMIRALTY” CASE NUMBER: 4:25-cv-10021JEM IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPLAINT OF:

WILLIAM MILNER & PAULA MILNER, as owners of the S/V Sara Lou, a 1992 34’ Pacific Seacraft Monohull Sail, bearing Hull Identification No.: PCS34227G192, its Engines, Tackle, Appurtenances, Equipment, Etc., In a cause for Exoneration from or Limitation of Liability. Petitioner.

___________________/

NOTICE TO ALL POTENTIAL CLAIMANTS OF COMPLAINT FOR EXONERATION FROM OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

As the owner of the S/V Sara Lou, a 1992 34’ Pacific Seacraft Monohull Sail bearing Hull Identification No.: PCS34227G192, (the “Vessel”)—and pursuant to 46 U.S.C § 30501, et seq., and Supplemental Rule F of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure—William Milner and Paula Milner filed a Complaint on March 4, 2025, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida seeking exoneration from, or limitation of, any liability concerning any and all personal injury, property damage, destruction, or other losses arising out of or related to an incident on or about December 27, 2024, on the navigable waters of the United States in Buttonwood Sound, Key Largo, in Monroe County, Florida, as more fully described in the complaint. The Court has accepted a letter of undertaking as interim security for all claims against Petitioners and the Vessel. Pursuant to 46 U.S.C. § 30511(c), “all claims and proceedings against the owner related to the matter in question shall cease.” By June 9, 2025, all persons or entities claiming damage for any and all loss, destruction, injuries, and/or death allegedly as a result of the occurrences and happenings recited in the complaint must file their respective claims with the clerk of this court and serve copies thereof on Petitioners’ counsel. By the same date, all persons or entities presenting claims and desiring to contest the allegations of the complaint must file an answer to the complaint in this court and must serve copies thereof on Petitioners’ counsel or be defaulted. Service on Petitioners’ counsel may be made by delivery or mail to Richard J. McAlpin, or Lourdes M. Cardelle of MCALPIN FLOREZ MARCOTTE, P.A., 80 SW 8th Street, Suite 2805, Miami, Florida 33130, telephone number (305) 810-5400. Dated: March 13, 2025. Angela E. Noble United States District Court Southern District Court of Florida By: Nadhege Augustin Deputy Clerk

Publish: April 10, 17, 24 and May 1, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES •

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 16TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 25-DR-349-K DEON ROBINSON, Petitioner, and ANTTWON JEWSOME, Respondent.

NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE (NO CHILD OR FINANCIAL SUPPORT) TO: ANTTWON JEWSOME RESPONDENT’S LAST KNOWN ADDRESS: 1213 14TH STREET, LOT 184, KEY WEST, FL 33040

YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action for Dissolution of Marriage has been filed against you and that you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on Deon Robinson, whose address is 1213 14th Street, Lot 184, Key West, FL 33040 on or before May 31, 2025, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040, before service on Petitioner or immediately thereafter. If you fail to do so, a default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the petition.

The action is asking the court to decide how the following real or personal property should be divided: N/A

Copies of all court documents in this case, including orders, are available at the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office. You may review these documents upon request.

You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office notified of your current address. (You may file Designation of Current Mailing and E-Mail Address, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.915.) Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed or e-mailed to the address(es) on record at the clerk’s office.

WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, requires certain automatic disclosure of documents and information. Failure to comply can result in sanctions, including dismissal or striking of pleadings.

Dated: March 26, 2025 Kevin Madok, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Destiny Johnson Deputy Clerk Publish: April 3, 10, 17 & 24, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 16TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 25-DR-315-K MONIKA BANDOVA, Petitioner, and MICHAEL DAVID CARBON, Respondent.

NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE (NO CHILD OR FINANCIAL SUPPORT)

TO: MICHAEL DAVID CARBON RESPONDENT’S LAST KNOWN

ADDRESS: UNKNOWN

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 Monika Bandova, whose address is 3 Casa Roma Lane, Apt. 3, Key West, FL 33040 on or before April 28, 2025, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 530 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040, before service on Petitioner or immediately thereafter. If you fail to do so, a default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the petition. The action is asking the court to decide how the following real or personal property should be divided: N/A

Copies of all court documents in this case, including orders, are available at the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office. You may review these documents upon request. You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office notified of your current address. (You may file Designation of Current Mailing and E-Mail Address, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.915.) Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed or e-mailed to the address(es) on record at the clerk’s office. WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, requires certain automatic disclosure of documents and information. Failure to comply can result in sanctions, including dismissal or striking of pleadings.

Dated: March 17, 2025

Kevin Madok, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Shonta McLeod Deputy Clerk

Publish: March 27 and April 3, 10 & 17, 2025

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CIVIL DIVISION CASE NO.: 25-CA-0291-K BANKS G. PREVATT, PATTY L. PEERY-PREVATT and JILL NOTTKE, Plaintiffs, vs. LITTLE TORCH PROPERTIES, INC.,(A DISSOLVED FLORIDA CORPORATION),JOSEPH PARDO, AS RECEIVER OF LITTLE TORCH PROPERTIES, INC.,(DECEASED), AND ALL UNKNOWN PERSONS OR BUSINESS ENTITIES HAVING OR CLAIMING TO HAVE ANY RIGHT, TITLE, OR INTEREST IN THE DISPUTED PROPERTY IN THIS CASE, WHETHER THROUGH OR DERIVED FROM LITTLE TORCH PROPERTIES INC., OR OTHERWISE, Defendants. ___________ / NOTICE OF ACTION TO QUIET TITLE To: LITTLE TORCH PROPERTIES, INC., (A DISSOLVED FLORIDA CORPORATION), C/O JOSEPH PARDO (DECEASED), AS RECEIVER OF LITTLE TORCH PROPERTIES, INC., AND ALL UNKNOWN PERSONS OR BUSINESS ENTITIES HAVING, OR CLAIMING TO HAVE, ANY RIGHT, TITLE, OR INTEREST IN THE DISPUTED PROPERTY IN THIS CASE, WHETHER THROUGH OR DERIVED FROM LITTLE TORCH PROPERTIES INC., OR OTHERWISE, YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action to quiet title of the following described property in the Circuit Court of Monroe County, Key West Division, has been filed against you and you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to Kevin Hoyes, of Kevin Hoyes Attorney, P.A, at 422 Fleming Street, Key West, Florida, 33040, Phone (305) 731 3349 (Plaintiffs Attorney), on or before DATE: April 28, 2025, and file the original with the Clerk of this Court either before service on the Plaintiffs' attorney or immediately thereafter, including your full name and address; otherwise a default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint.

The Property at issue in this case is formally described as follows:

1. The disputed property lies at the rear of 141 Pirates Road, Little Torch Key, is of a size of approximately 750 square Feet, has a parcel ID number of 00215471-000000 (and an Alternate Key Number of 9036754) according to the Monroe County Property

Appraiser's website.

2. The upland property is also more fully described (according to a survey dated February 19, 2025 by Reece & Associates (of 31193 Avenue A, Big Pine Key, FL. 33043), as follows:

Parcel 1

A portion of the northerly 25 feet of Lot 30, Block 1 of Jolly Roger Estates, according to the Plat thereof as recorded in Plat Book 5, Page 34, of the public records of Monroe County, Florida, and being more particularly described by metes and bounds as follows:

Commence at Southwest corner of Lot 30, Block 1 of Jolly Roger Estates, Plat book 5, Page 34, thence bear N00°00'00"E along the west line of said Lot 30 and the east right-of-way line of Pirates Road, as shown on said Plat, for a distance of 85 feet to the point of beginning.

Thence, continue N00°00'00"E for a distance of 10.22 Feet to a point on the edge of an existing canal and the intersection of the westerly projection of an existing concrete seawall; Thence leaving said right of way line, bear S89°54'0l"E along said canal edge and seawall for a distance of 24.32 feet to a point on the northwest corner of an existing boat basin; Thence bear S00°40'33"W for a distance of 10.18 feet to a point that is 25 feet south of and parallel to the north line of said Lot 30, Block 1; Thence bear N90°00'00"W, along said line, for a distance of 24.44 feet back to the point of the beginning.

Together with Parcel 2

A portion of the northerly 25 feet of Lot 30, Block 1, Jolly Roger Estates, according to the Plat thereof as recorded in Plat Book 5, Page 34, of the public records of Monroe County, Florida, and being more particularly described by metes and bounds as follows:

Commence at Southwest corner of Lot 30, Block 1 of Jolly Roger Estates, Plat book 5, Page 34, thence bear N00°00'00"E along the west line of said Lot 30 and the east right-of-way line of Pirates Road, as shown on said Plat, for a distance of 85 feet to a point of intersection with a line that is 25 feet south of and parallel to the north line of said Lot 30, Block 1; then bear S90°00'00''E, along said line, for a distance of 49.60 to a point on the east line of an existing boat basin and the point of beginning.

Thence, bear N00°55'28", along said basin, for a distance of 9.73 feet to the northwest corner thereof, said corner also being on the face of an existing concrete seawall on the southerly side of an existing canal; Thence S89°06'33"E, along said seawall, for a distance of 50.24 feet to a point on line of said lot 30; Thence bear S00°00'00"W, along said east line for a distance of 8.95 feet to s point that is 25 feet south of and parallel to the north line of said Lot 30, Block 1; Thence bear N90°00'00"W, along said line, for as distance of 50.39 feet back to the point of the beginning. Containing 469.85 Sq. Ft., more or less. 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, 302 Fleming Street, Key West, Florida 33040; (305) 292-3423, 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. Dated: March 17, 2025 Kevin Madok, Clerk of the Court for Circuit Court of Monroe County Key West, Florida By: Shonta McLeod As Deputy Clerk

Publish: March 27 and April 3, 10 & 17, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers

AUTOS WANTED

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

AUTOS FOR SALE

1964 Ford Galaxy, 427 Big Block, 5-speed, located in Key Largo. REDUCED $45,000 954-445-6647

BOAT SLIP FOR RENT

19’x40’ slip in Marathon, could handle somewhat larger boat with approval from dockmaster. Desirable location in marina, easy in, easy out. Electricity, available, free water, pump out, WiFi. Available 1 May 25 thru Oct 25, possibly long term lease. Please contact Vern Rozier, 904 626 5279, or 904 626 8224 and leave call back info. Or email vrrozier@yahoo.com.

EMPLOYMENT

All Keys Yamaha hiring a Technician Marine Repair specializing in Yamaha outboard engines. Also hiring: Retail Parts/Counter HelpMarine outboard knowledge a plus. QuickBooks experience a plus. Hours M-F 8a-5p for both positions. Apply in person at 2001 Overseas Highway, Marathon. 305-743-3530

ALL KEYS GUTTER HIRING INSTALLERS $25/$35hrMajor Holidays Off - Benefits - Tavernier. 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/

HELP WANTED: Two Conchs in Marathon is now hiring a Full Time Retail Sales Person in our Tackle Shop/Marina. Competitive wages. Contact George 305-289-0199

Part Time Supervisor/ Housekeeper Position Available Immediately in Key Colony Beach. Hours may vary depending on need including weekends. Responsibilities include oversee housekeeping staff, inspecting rooms prior to guest occupancy, making up laundry bags, cleaning rooms, etc. Physical demands: ability to lift and carry laundry bags ~ 35 lb. **Must have reliable transportation** Please call/ text or email to discuss pay and to request application. Vivian -952-208-2850 Cheryl -305-505-8747

Marathon Yacht Club is hiring a part-time bookkeeper. QuickBooks experience required. Must provide photo ID, social security card or passport, and checking account. Email office@ marathonyachtclub.com to schedule an interview.

Marathon Yacht Club is hiring a part-time line cook. Private club, friendly atmosphere. Flexible lunch/ dinner shifts available Tuesday – Saturday, some Sundays. English proficiency required.

Must provide photo ID, social security card or passport, and checking account. Email office@marathonyachtclub. com to schedule an interview.

The Housing Authority of the City of Key West now hiring for the following positions: Resident Care Supervisor with min. 3 yrs. experience of an LPN, Carpenter-FTKeyWest, Housing Manager- FT-Marathon, Maintenance Mechanic (Maintenance Worker. To apply, please contact Human Resources at: wrightk@kwha.org or 305-296-5621 ext. 224. Applications are available at the Administrative Office located at 1400 Kennedy Dr., Key West, FL 33040 or online at www.kwha.org - EOE & Drug Free Work Place. This opportunity is covered under Section 3 of the HUD Act of 1968.

Serve/Bartend on the ocean! The Cabana Club, an ocean front private swim club is seeking a customer service-oriented Server/ Bartender. Serve on pool deck, beach and/or bar lounge. Open year round, 9:30am- 7pm 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 404-219-3359 and ask for Dave.

Full time office position with strong computer skills, KCB Condominium, $78K per yr., apply by e-mail to HardingThomasL@aol.com, text or call 734-476-0531. HIRED IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS!!!

PRIVATE COLLECTOR

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

PRICE REDUCED!

2BR/1.5BA Mobile on canal in Key Largo. Single-wide, unfurn, w/40' dock-davits. No pets. $2,100/mo + $2,100 security. References needed. 616-813-9755

Downstairs apartment of a duplex to rent to 1 person (no pets). Large living room/ bedroom and separate kitchen. Large screened porch with its own washer/dryer and driveway. Utilities include wifi/tv. 150 ft to the ocean. MM 96 Key Largo $1600/ month. F/L/S 305-853-3779

1 upstairs bedroom for rent in Grassy Key (East Marathon). Unfurnished. Mostly private bathroom with shared W/D. Other upstairs occupants are the homeowners: A probation officer, his wife, and their very small dog. $1200/ month F/S 305-393-5049

Rental in Marathon: 4/2 pool waterfront tiki bar home with dock for up to 50 ft. Steps to Sombrero Beach, ocean in under 10 mins. Seasonal or annual. Furnished. Thania Moses, MBA & Realtor 954.683.2150

Available Now, Stock Island near CVS. Traveling nurses/Working professionals only. No pets, smokers or drugs. Gated, safe, quiet, has parking and a pool. Fully furnished room w/private bath, smart TV, washer/dryer. House and kitchen privileges always, w/fridge and cabinet space. Monthly rent REDUCED to $1,400.00 All Included. First and Last due at move in time. Call 305-797-5600

1BR/1BA fully furnished Apt. for rent in Marathon. Ideally one person. On canal w/boat lift, W/D, Wifi. $1,950/mo. 850-376-7137 RENTED IN THREE WEEKS!

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

YARD SALES

SARA’S ESTATE SALE: Part 2 of 2 Selling the contents of an award-winning watercolorist’s waterfront estate in Marathon!! Sale is Fri, April 11 and Sat, April 12 from 845a to 1p, both days, 2691 Sombrero Blvd, Marathon. We have ART! and art supplies: frames, canvas, mats, paper, paint & pastels. Three Q bedroom sets (Drexel and wicker), living room & sitting room furniture, 6-seat glass & wood dining set. Bestequipped kitchen ever: AllClad, Le Creuset, Williams & Sonoma, crockpots, lobster pots, mixers, Breville oven & more. Pink Mikasa silverware matches a GINORMOUS set of Lenox “Poppies on Blue” matches French glass plates & pretty crystal pieces. Designer clothing (sm & med); shoes (8-8.5); purses by Dooney & Burke, Coach, Vera Bradley, etc.; pretty perfume bottles. Office chairs, printer, grill, grill accessories & outdoor wicker furniture (6 pcs). Flatscreen TVs (3), bedding, towels, beautiful pottery, lamps and so many rugs (runners & room). And, finally, a huge Knox gun safe. Follow the signs and park with consideration (DO NOT PARK on golf course grass). More photos at estatesales.net.

To place a Classified ad, please call 305-417-0871 or email anneke@keysweekly.com Anything from Autos or Boats for Sale to Housing for Rent or Yard Sales. The Keys Weekly Newspapers is the perfect place for you to advertise - only $25/ week for up to 5 lines of copy!

NOW HIRING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IT DIRECTOR

Manages the IT department and other technical operations within the City Government providing day to day support. Their main duties include identifying the organization’s IT needs, adding updates and enhancements to current computer systems and ensuring employees’ technical issues are resolved efficiently.

Researches and responds to technical questions regarding the operation of computing system functions. Works with the existing security and IT services provider to ensure accurate billing and IT needs are being met.

Extensive knowledge in computer systems and Microsoft application and operating system software required. Additional experience using proprietary software, such as ESRI ArcGIS, VueWorks, and/or other work-flow management software tools is helpful. Relevant experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis. Prior experience with similar hardware, software, and network systems and familiarity with local government information system is desirable.

Please see the online post on our website for additional details. www.ci.marathon.fl.us/jobs

MARINE OPERATIONS SPECIALIST AT FIU’S AQUARIUS REEF BASE

Join our dedicated Florida International University team that provides offshore logistical and emergency response support to the Medina Aquarius Program. We maintain and operate all underwater laboratory equipment and boats, monitor Life Support Systems, and coordinate diving activities as we assist scientists and clients in achieving their underwater research objectives.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

- Service, maintain, and operate underwater laboratory equipment support systems, ensuring functionality of critical safety equipment.

- Assist divers with underwater tasks such as experiment placement and data collection.

- Provide shore-based logistical support for Aquarius diving and boating operations, ensuring equipment is ready for missions.

- Serve as Captain of the ARB research vessel and as a USCG Captain for passenger vessels during operations.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

- High School Diploma with 3 years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

- SCUBA diving certi cation and the ability to pass a Diving Physical Exam within 90 days of hire.

- General knowledge of diesel inboard boat operation and maintenance.

- Certi cations in CPR, Automatic External De brillator, First Aid, and Oxygen Administration, Current USCG License 6 Passenger.

For further information or to apply, please visit careers. u.edu and reference Job Opening ID# 534641. The position is open until lled; we will begin reviewing applications April 15, 2025.

SOLAR SALES FOR SALT ENERGY, LLC. - Dynamic, local company looking for good people to grow with us. Located in Marathon, we have been engineering, installing and servicing solar energy systems in the Keys, South Florida and Caribbean for over 30 years. We are looking for a Team player with a great attitude, excellent communication and sales skills, who is excited to share the benefits of solar energy. Initially, this position will be representing the residential and small commercial sector of the company, focused primarily in the Florida Keys.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Visit customers’ homes to perform site surveys and provide tailored solar solutions.

• Prepare and deliver compelling sales proposals and negotiate terms to close deals.

• Communicate and collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless project implementation and complete customer satisfaction.

REQUIREMENTS

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to build rapport with customers.

• Self-motivated, target-driven and able to work independently as well as part of a team.

• Results-oriented mindset with a focus on delivering an outstanding customer experience.

• Strong understanding of solar energy systems and industry best practices, preferred.

EDUCATION: High school diploma required. College degree in business or communication preferred.

JOB TYPE: Full-time. WORK LOCATION: In person.

PAY: Base pay plus bonus commissions. Benefits: 401(k) matching, PTO.

SALT Energy, LLC., 2992 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050. Send resume and cover letter to Lisak@saltenergy.net.

NOW HIRING!

e Turtle Hospital in Marathon wants you to join their team!

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM GUIDES/GIFT SHOP SALES

Full and part-time. Public speaking and & retail sales experience helpful. $19/hour to start.

Send resume to: turtlehospital@turtlehospital.org

NOW HIRING

HVAC TECH WANTED

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.

Call 305-407-3262 or email info@floridakeysaquariumencounters.com 11710 OVERSEAS HWY, MARATHON WANT TO WORK IN A

We are hiring for a new Walking and Running Store in Islamorada and Marathon, WALK HERE RUN HERE.

DUI FRONT DESK CLERK & EVALUATOR/INSTRUCTOR

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.

DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER is a fun, environmentally friendly non-profit 501(c)(3) Corporation specializing in education, research, and rescue of marine mammals.

We have the following openings available. Scan the QR code to visit the careers page on our website.

FACILITIES MAINTENANCE

APPRENTICE

(Full-Time, Permanent)

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

OPENINGS AVAILABLE

PHYSICIAN PRACTICE OPENINGS

- Advanced Practice Provider (APRN-PA-C)Surgical, Ortho, Tavernier

- Advanced Practice Provider (APRN-PA-C), BHMG Multispecialty - Marathon, $5k Bonus

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

(Full-Time, Part-Time, Permanent)

DRC seeks to provide for the well-being of its employees by offering a competitive total package. DRC currently offers a 401k retirement plan, medical benefits, HSA account, paid holidays, vacation, sick and an employee assistance program. DRC also provides life and disability insurance at no cost to the employee.

COME JOIN THE FAMILY!

Email your resume and a DRC application to drc-hr@dolphins.org. EOE

DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER

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

YEARS!

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

MIAMI CANCER INSTITUTE KEY WEST

- Radiation Therapist, $12k Bonus

- Registered Nurse, Chemotherapy Infusion, $15k Bonus

- Advanced Practice Provider (APRN/PA-C), Medical Oncology, $5k Bonus

TAVERNIER MARINERS HOSPITAL

- Cook, Dietary

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

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

- Registered Nurse, Emergency Department, $25k Bonus

- Patient Scheduler, Radiology

- ED Team Coordinator 1, Emergency Department

- Environmental Tech 1, $5k Bonus

- MC Multi-Modality Imaging Tech 1, Ultrasound/Vascular with Echo, $50k Bonus

MARATHON FISHERMEN’S COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

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

- Radiology Technologist 1, $40k Bonus

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

- Registered Nurse, Multispecialty Care, $25k Bonus

- Social Work Case Manager, Case Management, $10k 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 bonuses are available only for select full-time positions based on candidate experience.

Behavioral Health Counselor (Children)

MARATHON Care Coordinator (PT)

Driver – PT (CDL not required)

RN/Licensed Practical Nurse (PT)

Behavioral Health Therapist (Adult)

*Behavioral Health Technicians – 3 shifts (FT/PT)

*Support Worker (Assisted

MARATHON GARBAGE SERVICE

CLIENT MEDICAL SERVICES ASSISTANT, CNA (FT)

Assisting our clients with dental, medical and transportation appts. Act as liaison between clients, families and support staff. Requires some on-call responsibility. Min. requirement - Florida certification as a Certified Nursing Assistant.*

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.*

DIRECT CARE STAFF – NIGHTS/WEEKENDS - GROUP HOMES 24/7 (FT)

These positions are available at our Windsor and Von Phister Group Homes. Providing direct-care services and support to our clients in their home. Must be willing to work flexible shifts including overnights. This position requires a minimum of high school completion or GED and 1 year of experience with care giving or 30 hours of college coursework.*

*ALSO REQUIRED FOR ALL POSITIONS: Fluent in English language, speaking and writing, proficiency is a must. Level 2 background screening and valid Florida driver’s license. EOE