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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 2017 • VOLUME 30, N0. 28 • 24 PAGES

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Archaeologists uncover likely Acorn wreck BY THERESA JAVA Free Press Staff

KEY LARGO — Two NOAA researchers may have stumbled upon something big — or at least swam across it. It is about 163 feet long and 40 feet wide and resting on the ocean’s bottom off Key Largo. Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary maritime archaeologist Matthew

Lawrence and Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary maritime heritage coordinator Brenda Altmeier are surveying what has been tentatively identified as the Acorn shipwreck at Elbow Reef, which is directly east of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. It’s about 20 feet below the surface. Elbow Reef is aptly named because it abruptly juts out further into deeper

waters. It’s home to the City of Washington shipwreck and the Hannah M. Bell which was formerly known as “Mike’s Wreck.” Lawrence believes that Elbow Reef notoriously claimed ships hugging the reef line to avoid following the Gulf Stream’s northerly current south and that there may be more wrecks there. “I wouldn’t say we’ve dis-

covered it. It’s always been there. It’s more like we are identifying it,” Lawrence said. Altmeier said they found the wreck while staging the Hannah M. Bell in 2012. They’ve been plotting measurements for a year now and are halfway through. Time spent below the surface so far has only

MATTHEW LAWRENCE/NOAA

Silvana Kreines, left, and Rebecca Hunter of Diving With a Purpose See ACORN, page 3A take measurements to create a map of the likely Acorn wreck.

Floating an idea

Murder-for-hire target asks court to name names BY ADAM LINHARDT Free Press Staff

SOUTHEAST FLORIDA REGIONAL CLIMATE COMPACT

Residents likely won’t see floating homes and roads in the Florida Keys anytime soon, but at a Southeast Florida Regional Climate Compact workshop to brainstorm possible responses to sea level rise, those ideas were floated for a Lower Matecumbe Key of the future. See story on page 6A.

MARATHON — A Marathon businessman targeted in a failed murderfor-hire scheme that sent a former Coast Guard commander to federal prison for a decade wants a judge to order the Department of Justice to unredact censored documents in the case in an effort to find unnamed co-conspirators. The motion is part of a civil lawsuit filed by developer Bruce Schmitt that names former Islamorada Coast Guard commander and former Marathon Marina and Boatyard co-owner Dennis Zecca as a defendant, as well as two co-conspirators previously identified by federal prosecutors as John Doe No. 1

and No. 2. Zecca was convicted and sentenced to 10 years in federal prison in July 2014 following his Dec. 21, 2012, arrest by FBI agents after he agreed to pay an unnamed informant $20,000, or a kilogram in cocaine, to shoot Schmitt dead with a 9mm Beretta h a n d gun over Schmitt the 2012 Christmas holidays. Schmitt has been trying to get to the bottom of the conspiracy since Zecca’s arrest and his conviction. The U.S. Attorney’s Office See TARGET, page 8A

Questions remain about neo-Nazi’s visit to Keys BY THERESA JAVA Free Press Staff

KEY LARGO — What brought an admitted neo-Nazi wanted in Tampa on explosives charges to a Key Largo Burger King where he was arrested and found to be carrying fuses and two recently purchased high-powered rifles with hundreds of rounds of ammunition remains a mystery during the early

stages of his prosecution in the federal court system. A roomm a t e Russell accused of slaying two other men in the apartment they all shared told authorities that Brandon Clint Russell, 21, a National Guardsman

INDEX

and purported leader of neo-Nazi group atomwaffen — German for “atomic weapon” — was planning to attack the Turkey Point nuclear power plant in Homestead, an allegation Russell’s attorney dismisses outright. That Russell may have been planning to flee the country could be a possibility given that the court order revoking his initial $200,000 bond noted that he has

Business & Real Estate ............. 10A Classifieds...........................10-12B

lowing the Tampa Police Department’s arrest of his roommate, Devon Arthurs, 18, who allegedly shot and killed two of their neo-Nazi male roommates inside their Tampa Palms apartment. U.S. ATTORNEY’S OFFICE Russell, who has been An M&P 15 Sport 2 semi-automatic assault-style rifle was federally indicted for posamong the two rifles Brandon Russell purchased on his way to session of a destructive Key Largo. device and for storing the strange 24-hour period explosive materials, was inifamily in the Bahamas. Federal court paperwork that ended with Russell’s See NEO-NAZI, page 7A has revealed details into arrest in Key Largo fol-

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2A • June 21, 2017 • Florida Keys Free Press

county & state news FLORIDA

SOUTH FLORIDA

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Report provider complaints

High water prompts restrictions for WMAs

Governor vetoes college aid proposal

FLORIDA — The Florida Department of Health’s Division of Medical Quality Assurance offers an online health care complaint portal. The portal was developed in collaboration with the Agency for Health Care Administration and allows Floridians to more conveniently report everything from health care violations and unlicensed activity, to fraud and more. The portal also identifies which state or federal agency to contact for a variety of issues ranging from Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act violations to independent living facilities. Working in conjunction with 22 boards and six councils, the Division of Medical Quality Assurance licenses and regulates seven types of facilities and 200-plus license types in more than 40 health care professions. For more information, visit flhealthsource.gov.

SOUTH FLORIDA — High water levels have prompted the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to issue an order temporarily restricting public access to Everglades and Francis S. Taylor, Holey Land and Rotenberger wildlife management areas. These three areas are in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties. This action is necessary because high water levels force wildlife to take refuge on tree islands and levees, resulting in high levels of stress for these animals, FWC officials said. The order prohibits vehicle, airboat, all-terrain vehicle and other public access to these WMAs. Boat ramps and fishing in established canals remain open, but a minimum distance of 100 yards from any tree island must be maintained to minimize disturbance to upland wildlife. These special regulations remain in effect until rescinded by a subsequent executive order. For updated closure and reopening information, visit myfwc.com/viewing and click on “Wildlife Management Areas” and then “Open/Closed Status.”

TALLAHASSEE — Florida Gov. Rick Scott last week vetoed a far-reaching bill that would have boosted financial aid for high school students heading to college while attempting to lift Sunshine State schools into the ranks of elite counterparts. The legislation, which was a top priority for Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart, required the state to cover 100 percent of tuition costs for top performing high school students who attend a state university or college. Florida used to pay 100 percent of tuition for those eligible for the top level of the state’s Bright Futures scholarship, but that was scaled back when the economy soured. Scott in his veto letter pointed out that students heading to school this fall will still be eligible for a higher Bright Futures award since that was included in the state budget he signed, but that is only a one-year fix. The Republican governor, who criticized Florida’s 12 public universities in the past for seeking tuition hikes, said he vetoed the bill because it was too onerous for the state’s 28 colleges. The bill would have placed enrollment limits on four-year college degree programs and would have created a new board to oversee the state colleges. – The Associated Press

County commissioners to discuss placing toll on US 1 BY TIMOTHY O’HARA Free Press Staff

KEY LARGO — The Monroe County Commission will decide this week whether to support exploring placing a toll on U.S. 1, even though state

transportation officials are opposed to the idea. The commission meets at 9 a.m. Wednesday, June 21, at Murray E. Nelson Government and Cultural Center, 102050 Overseas Highway. Islamorada Village

Johnny Earl DeBrule, age 51, of Key Largo, FL,

passed away peacefully on June 13, 2017 at Baptist Hospital in Miami, FL. He was born on July 23, 1965 on NAS JAX in Jacksonville, FL to Johnny Thomas DeBrule and Gloria Jean Janda. He joined the Marine Corps when he turned 18 years old, and served in the reserves as well. He co-owned and worked for Upper Keys Marine Construction in Key Largo, FL before retiring. He married Lisa Sentz on September 5, 2015 in Gulf Hammock. He is survived by his wife, Lisa; children, Stephanie DeBrule, Corey DeBrule, and Travis DeBrule; mother, Gloria Brady; father, Johnny Thomas DeBrule (his wife Gail); siblings, David DeBrule, Marni Caputo, and Evan Stern; grandchild, Sawyer DeBrule; and many extended family members.

and Everglades and canal restoration projects as possible benefactors. If allowable, Forster has called for the toll to go before voters to determine if there is public support for it. Florida Department of Transportation spokeswoman Ivette Ruiz-Paz said federal code that regulates highways “prohibits the imposition of tolls on the existing free lanes of nontolled highways like U.S. 1.” “Under current federal and state law, the existing lanes of U.S. 1 in the Keys cannot be tolled,” Ruiz-Paz said. Given the Florida Keys’

infrastructure needs when it comes to water quality and local bridge and road projects, the idea of a toll is worth exploring, County Commissioner Heather Carruthers said. “Laws can be changed if there is a compelling interest or need to do so,” Carruthers said. “Any other sources of revenue outside just using property taxes are worth exploring. ... All people who enjoy this beautiful place should share in the burden.” Other upscale communities like Key Biscayne and Sanibel Island have tolls at their entrances. Monroe County

Commissioner Sylvia Murphy, who represents the Upper Keys, has questioned how much the county would receive after the federal government and the company that administers the toll received their share. Ke y Bi s c a y n e and Sanibel are only portions of a county and placing a toll at the top of the Keys would impact an entire county, Murphy said. By placing a toll on U.S. 1, there would be no way of driving into the Keys without paying, Murphy said. There is a $1 fee levied on the Card Sound Road bridge. [email protected]

State education bill draws mixed reactions BY MANDY MILES Free Press Staff

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Visitation and funeral service were held on Saturday, June 17, 2017 at Allen-Beyer Funeral Home.

Councilman Mike Forster has proposed placing a toll on U.S. 1, with proceeds going to local road improvement and water quality projects. Forster traveled to Washington, D.C., in April and discussed the proposal with U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo, R-Miami, who represents the Florida Keys. Forster is working with Curbelo’s office and others to determine if the federal and state departments of transportation would allow a toll and if the proceeds could be used for Monroe County projects, he said. Forster cited local infrastructure and road projects

His ashes will be dispersed at a later date on the family farm.

MONROE COUNTY — When it comes to divvying up local property tax revenues that can be

Ingeborg M. Kossmann Age 89, of Mount Vernon

passed away on Thursday, June 8, 2017 at the Country Club Retirement Campus.

schools,” Superintendent Mark Porter told US1 Radio’s Bill Becker last Friday morning. “These mandates from Tallahassee are onerous and challenging and not a good fit for Monroe County.” The Palm Beach County School Board opposed the measure in a statement that explained that “taxpayer dollars will be given to for-profit [charter school] companies to purchase and maintain real estate that will See BILL, page 3A

Charles J. Kupper

There will be no calling hours. The family will observe a private burial at a later date.

1930-2017

To send the family a condolence online visit: www.snyderfuneralhomes.com 503939

The Dowds-Snyder funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Ingeborg M. Kossmann.

Prior to the bill’s passage, school districts had an option — not an obligation — to include charter schools when distributing the property tax pie. Charter school proponents say the measure evens the playing field for all schools in a district, while supporters of traditional public schools oppose the change for a number of reasons. “I don’t think Tallahassee needs to tell us how it is that we can and should work together with our charter

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She was a former resident of Columbus, Ohio and also Islamorada in the Florida Keys. Ingeborg was a proud educator and taught foreign language at Franklin Heights High School for many years. She was born on August 25, 1927 in Alzey, Germany to the late Adolph and Christina (Schreb) Weiss. Ingeborg is survived by her sons, Tom (Lisa Wayne) Kossmann, Dietmar (Debra) Kossmann, and her daughter Sylvia (Timothy) )DUHZHOOÀYHJUDQGFKLOGUHQ.DWKHULQH6HWWHU0DUJRW.RVVPDQQ:LOOLDPV Clair Kossmann, Rick Stanczyk, Nick Stanczyk; three great grandchildren, Elaina Setter, Reed Setter, Felix Stanczyk; and her brother Gerhardt Weiss.

used for school construction projects, the Monroe County School District will have a few extra mouths, or schools, to feed now that some of the county’s charter schools are eligible to share in the distribution. Gov. Rick Scott last week signed a complex and controversial education bill that, among hundreds of other items, requires public school districts to share the locally generated revenues with eligible charter schools in their districts.

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The Lord has recalled one of his own, Charles J. Kupper, Jr., age 87, of Islamorada, FL and Normandy Beach, NJ on June 13, 2017. He has joined his late father, Colonel Charles Kupper, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Municipal Engineer for many of the County’s Townships, and mother, Margret Kupper. Charles passed away at the Ocean Medical Center in Brick, NJ with family members at his bedside. He was born in Plainfield, NJ and has lived in Islamorada, FL for the past 15 years and Normandy Beach, NJ for several years. A graduate of St. Peter’s High School in Dunellen, NJ, Charles went on to the Newark School of Engineering and received his Master’s degree from the University of Alabama. He served with distinction as a Combat Engineer in the United States Army during the Korean War in both Germany and France where he instructed troops in the deployment of Bailey Bridges to cross rivers and streams rapidly under emergency conditions. Upon return from service he joined his family in engineering, and later became owner and operator of Kupper Engineering in Dunellen, NJ for many years. He was the engineering officer for the Township of Brick in the 1960’s and 1970’s. He owned Kupper Airport in Manville, NJ until 1987. He again answered the call of service as an Emergency Engineer for FEMA following the Northridge Earthquake (1994) helping to rebuild Southern California from Los Angeles to San Diego. He and his unit received a Presidential Citation from President Clinton for reconstruction services for Power and Water rendered to his fellow Americans. He was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge 399 in Ortley Beach and the Moose Lodge 2151 in Islamorada, FL. Surviving are his son Peter Kupper and his wife Kris of Mantoloking and grandsons Zach and Hunter Kupper. The family will receive relatives and friends for a memorial gathering on Thursday June 22, 2017 from 4-7 pm at Weatherhead Young Funeral Home, 885 Mantoloking Rd., Brick, NJ 08723. A memorial service will begin at 6:30 pm Thursday evening. Cremation was private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge 399, 1801 Bay Blvd., Ortley Beach, NJ 08751. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.weatherheadyoung.com.

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Florida Keys Free Press • June 21, 2017 •

from page 1 THERESA JAVA/Free Press

Maritime researchers Brenda Altmeier and Matthew Lawrence point to the location of the suspected Acorn steamship wreck at Elbow Reef on a nautical chart.

Acorn Continued from page 1A

Acorn, Lawrence said. “But we are trying to piece its history together still with the archaeological data,” he said before NOAA makes an official determination of the ship’s identity. The Acorn steamship was built in Paisley, Scotland, and it came to rest at Elbow Reef in 1885. No one per-

ished during its sinking. At 165 feet long, the wreck is much smaller than the other two nearby, which are both more than 300 feet long. This information alone is a tell-tale clue to its identity, according to Lawrence and Altmeier. Its steel hull, its low-slung sides and it being steam-propelled pro-

amounted to eight full days. “We couldn’t have done it without our dedicated volunteer partners, Diving with a Purpose,” Altmeier said. The group has sent teams of up to 25 highly skilled divers who have taken key measurements of the wreck. “These divers have poured their hearts out to help us.” Kenneth Stewart, Diving with a Purpose’s program director and cofounder said, “Four years ago, we started with NOAA on the Hannah M. Bell, and within about 300 yards, we found what we think may be the Acorn.” So far, the measurements MATTHEW LAWRENCE/NOAA plotted are consistent with This propeller blade, which is one of two measured on Elbow what is known about the Reef, helped tentatively identify the wreck as the Acorn.

Bill Continued from page 2A

likely appreciate in value in Palm Beach County. The law does not prohibit the charter companies from selling real estate funded by taxpayers for a profit.” On the other hand, Todd German, chairman of the Key West Collegiate Academy, a charter high school that stands to benefit from the new capital revenue sharing, said, “This just makes everything fair and levels the playing field for charter schools. We’ve been able to succeed thus far, and now think of what we’ll be able to do.

“We worked very hard to get this done,” German said. “But I also have to say that in Monroe County, for the most part, charter schools have a much better relationship with the school district than in other counties.” German hadn’t crunched the numbers as of Friday but said eligible charter schools could see a 20 to 30 percent boost in their capital funding. Key West Collegiate Academy will use its new slice of the property tax pie to build a middle school facility on the Florida Keys Community College campus in the coming year. The academy received approval to expand its enrollment to include

vide a timeframe for the maritime archaeologists. “It looked to be an older vintage than either the City of Washington or Hannah M. Bell,” Lawrence said. It even has a partially intact hull compartment that has survived more than a century of waves crashing into it. These features “make it unusual as compared to the other Elbow wrecks,” according to the NOAA team. Two of the vessel’s propeller blades remain, which confirms how she came to rest. Altmeier said the well-developed corals and huge tarpon congregating there add to its beauty. The City of Washington wrecked in 1917 and the Hannah M. Bell wrecked in 1911. The Acorn went down 26 years earlier. Two other steamships, Quoque and Tonawanda, were also lost on Elbow Reef, but they had wooden hulls. The Acorn was a “tramp steamer” without a set route carrying whatever cargo needed to be shipped around Atlantic ports. It was not a fast ship — its steam engine was only rated at 75 hp, pushing it at “something like 15 miles per hour tops,” said Lawrence. When the steamer sank, it carried general merchandise, grain, lard and oil. Wreckers were unable to save the ship from being a total loss, but they did chase down floating casks of lard and oil floating along the Gulf Stream. One confirmed pas-

3A

MATTHEW LAWRENCE/NOAA

Diving With a Purpose co-founder Ken Stewart observes the work of lead instructor Kamau Sadiki as he draws a sketch of the shipwreck at Elbow Reef. senger according to the Philadelphia Inquirer archives was Francis A. Boyd, an African-American man who served as a chaplain during the Civil War. Boyd boarded a steamer with the assurance that it was headed to Jamaica, where he hoped to start a new life. Instead, the captain took him to Cuba, where he feared that he would be sold into servitude. After many appeals to various consulates, Boyd finally secured passage to New

York aboard the Acorn. Boyd eventually relocated to Ohio. “This is just one story of many that adds a human dimension to this ship’s activities,” Lawrence said. For more information about Florida Keys maritime heritage, visit sanctuaries.noaa.gov/maritime. For more information about Diving with a Purpose, find them on Facebook under that name. [email protected]

middle school grades “the Key West as well as Big Pine and Ocean Studies Charter depend on the ownership of their campus. year after next,” German Academy, Treasure Village in Tavernier. Their eligibility will [email protected] said, “so this should help Montessori in Islamorada us build our new facility. But not all charter schools are eligible to share in that millage. I believe charter Sponsor ship Opportu schools are only eligible if nities availab they’re located on property le! that is not owned by their school district, and if that’s the case, that would mean May Sands Montessori isn’t eligible, but Treasure Village Montessori in the Upper Keys would be, and I’m not certain about the other campuses.” Six charter schools operate in Monroe County: Key West Collegiate Academy, May Sands Montessori and Sigsbee Charter School in

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4A • June 21, 2017 • Florida Keys Free Press

key largo news

KEY LARGO

TAVERNIER

KEY LARGO

Rowell’s design contract seeks another OK

Local motorcycle rider airlifted after crash

KEY LARGO — A revised engineering and design contract for Rowell’s Waterfront Park will return before the Monroe County Commission on Wednesday, June 21. It’s being resubmitted to the board because omissions on the previous contract submitted for approval. No changes are being proposed. The county previously approved the engineering and design contract with S&ME, formerly known as Little John Engineering, in the amount of $146,944. “On page five, there was a portion of the contract that was unintentionally left blank. They [S&ME] were required to submit the names of the foreman and other key personnel but they left it blank,” said Cary Knight, the interim county project manager. “The contract was technically an error.”

KEY LARGO — A 46-year-old local man was airlifted to Ryder Trauma Center after his Suzuki motorcycle struck a pickup truck’s trailer last Friday afternoon at mile marker 104, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Thomas Edward Mingo, who was wearing a helmet, sustained serious injuries, FHP reported. According to the report, Mingo was traveling north on U.S. 1 in the inside lane just before 4:30 p.m. when a Dodge Ram driven by Julio Roman Macias, 63, of Key Largo, attempted to cross the highway from east to west but failed to yield to oncoming traffic. Mingo’s motorcycle collided with the trailer Macias was pulling. Charges are pending against Macias, according to FHP.

CONTRIBUTED

From left, Visiting Nurses Association and Hospice of the Florida Keys’ development and volunteer coordinator Becky Love, professional liaison Livia Barbosa, patient care manager Debbie Premaza, Pastor Kerry Foote, medical director Joanne Mahoney, assistant clinical coordinator Aniessa Rittenhouse and nurse Holly Nason show off some of the quilts donated by the Florida Keys Quilters Guild.

Guild donates quilts UPPER KEYS — Each year, the 90-member Florida Keys Quilters Guild donates handmade quilts to support the Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice of the Florida Keys’ mission of providing comfort, care and compassion to its patients and their families. “As long as the organization has exist-

ed we have helped out as much as we can,” Florida Keys Quilters Guild member Mary Lou Wilkinson said. “We also donate quilts to be used for silent auctions at fundraising events. Anything we can do to help.” Each quilt has a label that reads, “One who is sleeping under a quilt is sleeping under love.” For more information, call Wilkinson at 305394-3878.

Rains, winds unleash Key Largo ankle biters BY THERESA JAVA Free Press Staff

KEY LARGO — Mosquitoes and rain go hand-in-hand — and with above average rainfalls recently, the biting bugs have come out swinging. Daily deluges have sparked the mosquitoes into action, making raindrops and welts hard to avoid. Emilio Posada, Upper Keys supervisor of the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District, said mosquito season has begun but it’s too early to declare this year worse than others. “When we’ve had a lot of rain like this and the winds coming out of the west, we get an assault,” he said. He said the numbers being swatted will rise or fall based on changes in the weather. At the beginning of every mosquito season, the district usually receives an uptick in calls for service, Posada added. Beth Ranson, mosquito district

spokeswoman, said the average landing rate of mosquitoes on testers in the field at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park during May was 1.23 mosquitoes per minute. The average for the first two weeks of June jumped to 5.45 mosquitoes per minute. Ranson said the district received 268 service calls last year. So far this year, there have been 400. “Counts are up in the Upper and Middle Keys,” she said, adding that adult mosquitoes migrating from the Everglades contribute to the bite. During the first 13 days of June, the district conducted eight truck spraying missions and two aerial adulticide missions, she said. In order to warrant an aerial spray, the numbers must show a threefold increase in average adult mosquito numbers. Posada confirmed a recent landing rate of 38.6 mosquitoes in one minute at Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park on County Road 905 and 25.5

just south of there at Garden Cove. He referred to that as a “problem area” as it’s sandwiched between the Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge and John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, both state and federal managed lands where the district cannot spray. Posada has five trucks and 11 routes under his supervision. “Our ground efforts are dictated by the weather,” he said. The trucks are highly calibrated to spray a certain amount of insecticide, and if the wind blows more than 10 mph or if there is a fine mist in the air, then the spraying must be canceled. So how much above average has the rainfall been? According to Mike Rapsik with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, “We are in a wet pattern.” Rapsik confirmed the total rainfall from June 1 to June 15 in Key West to be 5.13 inches, which is 3.32 inches above the average of

1.82 inches. Marathon was at 5.50 inches, or 3.32 inches above its 2.18-inch average. Gauges at the Ocean Reef Club recorded 4.86 inches, while Pennekamp recorded 4.84 inches. The last two are not NOAA climatological sites, so there is no historic data for comparison. The Aedes aegypti mosquito, which carries Zika, dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever viruses, breed in containers that collect water. They’re found in small numbers in the Key West area. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 136 confirmed Zika cases in the U.S. in 2017 with Florida being hit the second hardest with 15 cases. Monroe County has had one travel-related case reported. New York has reported the most cases at 26. Floodwater species like the black salt marsh mosquito are more prevalent in the Upper Keys. The district’s website describes them as “pesky with a strong bite.”

The black salt marsh mosquito doesn’t necessarily need water. The species lays its eggs in moist soil, high enough to be affected only by flooding or rain which triggers the eggs to hatch. The black salt marsh mosquito may also deposit its eggs in container sites similar to Aedes aegypti. Either way, once water hits the eggs, larval development proceeds rapidly. According to University of Florida etymology research, one female floodwater mosquito has the potential to lay 200 eggs per batch in moist areas. “These moist areas eventually dry out, and the mosquito eggs also dry and become encased in the cracks and crevices of the dried mud. Because of their unique biology, the eggs need to dry out before they could hatch into larvae,” the UF research notes. So when it rains, they eventually pour out. [email protected]

Pompano man arrested in stolen car D.N. Higgins supervisor was third party KEY LARGO — An 18-year-old Pompano Beach man was arrested last Friday after he drove a BMW stolen from West Palm Beach into the Florida Keys, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. Alexander Mors was arrested for grand theft of a motor vehicle, fleeing and eluding a law enforcement officer and driving with no valid driver’s license Sheriff’s dispatchers

received notification June 16 from BMW Assist that the stolen 2014 silver BMW had entered Monroe County just before 6 p.m. A notice to be on the lookout was issued to all Monroe County deputies about the stolen car. At 6 p.m., Deputy Jason Farr spotted a vehicle matching the description traveling south at mile marker 98, where it turned into the Domino’s Pizza parking lot. Farr pulled in

behind it and turned on his lights and siren. The vehicle pulled out of the parking lot and continued south on U.S. 1. The BMW then turned off on a side road and onto U.S. 1 northbound. When it pulled out, it collided with a Mercedes van, also traveling north. At that point, Farr was able to take Mors into custody. A second man in the See CAR, page 7A

Look for the Mermaid at MM 82 Bayside!

Free Press Staff

KEY LARGO — The actual employer of the supervisor on duty at the Long Key Road incident where three Monroe County contractors perished in a stormwater drain from noxious gases may result in another company being added to the wrongful death claim filed against D.N. Higgins by the family of Robert Wilson of Sugarloaf Key. Ernest Brown, supervisor on duty at the deadly Sexton Cove Roadway & Drainage Improvement project, is not a direct

employee of county road project contractor D.N. Higgins, but rather of McKenna Contracting. Brown hired a lawyer and refused to talk to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office during its investigation of the incident. The Jan. 16 incident claimed the lives of Wilson, 24, Louis O’Keefe, 49, of Little Torch Key and Elway Gray, 34, of Fort Lauderdale. Gray was the first to descend the drain, while Brown was working on the next street over. According to worker Kirby Brown, no one was supposed to go down the

hole until Ernest Brown returned from the next street over and measured the gases in the stormwater drain. According to Marc Lyons, the Wilson family’s attorney, McKenna Contracting is a registered agent of D.N. Higgins but a separate company in the eyes of Florida. Lyons has issued the company a letter of representation. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration report is due six months from the date of the incident.

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islamorada news

ISLAMORADA

ISLAMORADA

ISLAMORADA

Rapper arrested in horrific domestic battery case

CONTRIBUTED

Local firefighters pose with Eagle Scout Chandler Rowland, third from left, and Eagle Scout Brian Neizil, sixth from left.

Eagle Scout provides flag boxes ISLAMORADA — Local Eagle Scout Brian Neuzil created four American flag collection boxes for his 2017 Eagle Scout project. Neuzil built, decorated and painted the collection boxes which have been positioned at all three Islamorada fire stations and the Founders Park Community Center. Residents and business owners can drop off old American flags in the boxes for proper retirement. For more information, email [email protected] or call 305-664-6490.

ISLAMORADA — A 26-year-old Opa Locka hip-hop artist accused of beating his girlfriend with a curtain rod, biting her, choking her, breaking her finger and cutting her face with a broken beer bottle has been charged with multiple felonies, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. Yosvanis Arismin Sierra Hernandez, an entertainer also known as the “Chocolate MC,” faces charges of domestic battery by strangulation, domestic battery causing serious bodily injury and kidnapping. All are felonies. According to the sheriff’s office, Hernandez was in the Upper Keys for a performance on May 27 and was staying at a resort with his girlfriend when be became angry over posts she made on Facebook to former boyfriends. Hernandez ordered her to sit on the bed with her hands on her lap when he began beating her with a curtain rod, reports say. He also bit her all over her

J.Lo performs at OV

body, reports say. He is accused of hitting her with a closed fist to the face, causing a black eye. He then pressed a broken beer bottle to her cheek, cutting her face, reports say. He then began to choke her, leaving bruises that were also visible days later, reports say. The woman tried to escape, but Hernandez pushed her to the ground, grabbed her Hernandez hair and slammed her head on the tile floor, breaking her pinkie finger, reports say. She asked to go the hospital at one point, but he refused to allow her to do so, reports say. Warrants were issued for his arrest and Hernandez was brought to the Monroe County Detention Center on Stock Island last week, where he remains on a $170,000 bail.

ISLAMORADA — Recording artist and actress Jennifer Lopez visited Islamorada last week to film a video for “Ni Tu Ni Yo,” the first single off her upcoming Spanish language album, which is being produced by her ex-husband Marc Anthony. The 47-year-old entertainer filmed on location at the Parlamee Key property on Lower Matecumbe Key as well as on the patio bar at the Ocean View Inn & Sports Pub, where Lopez was joined by Cuban reggaeton group, Gente de Zona. Security was tight and photography unrelated to the production was prohibited, according to local observers.

Land development changes to go before council BY BRIAN BOWDEN Free Press Staff

I S L A M O R A D A — Proposed amendments to land development regulations involving the exchange of lots donated to the village as well as allowing detached affordable housing units in zones deemed residential are two items scheduled to go before Islamorada’s governing board for action this week. The Village Council meets at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 22, at the Founders Park Community Room, 87000 Overseas Highway. The former item, regarding lot swaps, was requested to be brought back before

the board after Councilman Mike Forster admitted to mistakenly voting against the board majority because, according to him, he was on high doses of pain medication from recent oral surgery. The item was denied 4-1 and was to be sent back to staff for changes. During Forster’s June 1 request to revisit the item, Councilman Cheryl Meads was the lone dissenter. Because of that, Forster, later that meeting voted against one of Meads’ items and said it was because of her choice to go against his request. Also, the board will hear a notice of non-compliance of plat approval for Parmelee

Key’s future owner. Redevelopment of the 40-acre property at mile marker 74 was unanimously approved by the council in December. Following that, the state Department of Economic Opportunity approved it in January. The applicant was then informed that it had 90 days to update the paperwork with the village’s newly-appointed officials and then get the village surveyor to sign off on it. Because of errors noted by the surveyor, the applicant wasn’t able to resubmit by the April 17 deadline. Staff is recommending the applicant, Islamorada Village Estates LLC, be

granted a five-month extension to handle the necessary corrections. The board has other options as well such as to pursue code enforcement proceedings or deny the building permit altogether. According to previously presented plans, the property will eventually be the future home of a 10-unit neighborhood with accessory guest houses and affordable caretaker’s cottages. It will also include a community beach and pier, among other amenities. Other items set for the Thursday meeting include: • Discussion regarding a proposed amendment to the comprehensive plan

that would require a supermajority vote by the council for any significant changes to the land use regulations as well as a referendum for any changes to the comprehensive plan. Both items will be headed by Meads. • Discussion changing the residency requirements for those allowed to be appointed to the village’s advisory boards. Councilman Chris Sante would like to include Islamorada business owners who don’t live within the village’s boundaries. • A motion calling for the $300 installation of two stop signs at the intersection of Gulfview and El Capitan drives, and at the entrance to the Port Antigua

neighborhood on Lower Matecumbe Key. In recent months, neighbors have complained of speeders in that area. According to village data from a week in May, 27 percent went over the speed limit of 25 mph there. • And update on the completed 2017 legislative session by state Rep. Holly Raschein, R-Key Largo. The council is also set to hear what its paid state lobbyists accomplished this year. A full agenda can be viewed at islamorada.fl.us. A live stream of the meeting will also be available there. bbowden@keysnews. com

Workshop uses Islamorada as platform for floating roads, homes BY BRIAN BOWDEN Free Press Staff

I S L A M O R A D A — Residents likely won’t see floating roads and homes in the Florida Keys anytime soon, but at a Southeast Florida Regional Climate

Compact workshop held last fall to brainstorm possible responses to sea level rise, those ideas were floated for a Lower Matecumbe Key of the future. At the four-day Resilient Redesign Workshop, scientists, planners, archi-

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tecture school students and government officials met to discuss the future of some of South Florida’s most vulnerable communities and to propose creative ideas on how to save them from future flooding. One Monroe County study predicted in 2014 that local sea levels would rise 3 to 7 inches by 2030. Islamorada’s Lower Matecumbe Key near Sea Oats Beach was the focus for the Florida Keys portion of the workshop. It included the beach, a bayside neighborhood in that same vicinity, a large area of green space and the soon-to-be developed private Parmelee

CONTRIBUTED

The workshop targeted the Sea Oats Beach region of Lower Matecumbe Key for proposed responses to sea level rise. Key property. One idea showed installing wide, floating “roads” that could handle lightweight vehicles and pedes-

trians. They are set up like typical streets and connect to homes also floating on the same platform. A pilot program for how they work

was tested at a town in Italy, according to the compact. Another idea showed three-story homes built on pontoon-like foundations at Parmelee Key. According to the diagram, the home’s bottom story would sit underneath the water during its “resting position” and have the ability to rise during times of prolonged flooding. These ideas don’t hold much water with village officials, though. “It’s completely conceptual and not realistic [for the area],” Islamorada Manager Seth Lawless said. “So I See FLOATING, page 7A

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from page 1 Neo-Nazi Continued from page 1A

tially granted a bond with pending conditions just 21 days after being arrested by Monroe County Sheriff’s Office deputies on May 21. Russell has pleaded not guilty to both charges and U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas B. McCoun of Tampa granted a contingent motion stating that Russell would not be a “flight risk” if placed under house arrest at his grandmother’s Orlando home, which she put up as bond collateral. She was to also serve as a third-party custodian along with Russell’s mother. But just two days later, a motion to revoke the bond was filed by the U.S. Middle District Court citing several new reasons why Russell should remain behind bars, which prompted McCoun to halt his previous order. The judge mentioned the recently made fuses among the reasons for his ruling. Revocation paperwork also states that when Russell was asked what he knew of atomwaffen, he abruptly

ended the interview. Russell told police during their investigation of Arthurs’ murder case, during which they found the National Guardsman’s alleged bomb-making materials and before a criminal complaint had been filed against him, that he was going to visit his deputy sheriff father who lives in West Palm Beach. But he did not go there. Instead, he picked up a fellow neo-Nazi and the two were later stopped in Key Largo after purchasing a M&P 15 Sport 2 semi-automatic assault-style rifle, a Savage Arms Axis .223 caliber hunting rifle with a scope and 500 rounds of ammunition in Dania Beach. Russell was supposed to report back for service with the National Guard on May 20. After Russell left Tampa, police found radioactive materials belonging to him, as well as white supremacy propaganda and a framed photo of Timothy McVeigh, the Oklahoma City federal building bomber. They found enough explosive materials for the FBI to file

the criminal complaint that led to his arrest. Russell said the material was used to launch model rockets which he did as an engineering student. Russell later told the court that he does not have a good relationship with his father and has strong ties to the Bahamas, where his mother and sibling currently live. Russell had only moved to Tampa within the last year. His grandmother said she had no knowledge of his white supremacy beliefs and his relationship with her in court documents was described as “speculative at best.” “These foreign resources and ties demonstrate that Russell has the means and ability to flee,” the paperwork says. During the bond hearing, federal prosecutors also introduced into evidence seven video clips of interviews with Arthurs, who allegedly admitted to shooting and killing the two roommates, Jeremy Himmelman, 22, and Andrew Oneshuk, 18, after they made fun of him for

embracing Salafism, a jihad extremist group that advocates the killing of innocent civilians. During the interview, Arthurs accused Russell of planning an assault on Turkey Point, a seemingly appropriate target for atomwaffen. Ian Goldstein, Russell’s defense attorney, denies such claims. “He wasn’t there targeting anything, which is evidenced by the fact that he didn’t have any chemical materials with him when he was arrested,” Goldstein told the Free Press. “This Key Largo issue is a red herring; a fabrication created by Devon Arthurs in order to justify his own criminal behavior. “This allegation is solely based upon Devon Arthurs’ statements to law enforcement during his interrogation. The allegation is completely untrue, and without any basis in reality. Mr. Arthurs is a very disturbed individual, who was attempting to shift the blame for his murderous conduct onto my client and Mr. Arthurs’ two victims, in

a misguided attempt to justify the killings he committed just hours earlier.” According to Goldstein, the interview with Arthurs will be inadmissible at Russell’s trial. The fellow neo-Nazi who befriended Russell in his online fascist forum group, Iron March, told police that Russell picked him up early on May 20, told him about the murders and said he wanted to go away to clear his head. The friend withdrew $3,000 from his bank account and quit his job on the way out of town. He thought they were going to visit Russell’s

7A

dad, but as they got closer, “Russell changed his mind because he thought police might be looking for him.” They had no specific destination in mind and had no plans to hurt anyone or do any harm, according to the friend who was with Russell during his arrest in Key Largo. While the friend is not named in court documents, The Associated Press has identified him as William James Tschantre, 20, of Bradenton. If convicted, Russell faces a maximum sentence of 11 years in prison. [email protected]

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CONTRIBUTED

Continued from page 6A

doubt it will ever happen.” I s l a m o r a d a Environmental Resources Program Manager Susan Sprunt, who attended the workshop, agreed. “It was just thinking of out-of-the-box ideas,” she said. “This [proposal] is if nothing was limiting [such as development restrictions, regulatory issues, funding and other factors].” The Nature Conservancy’s South Florida director, Chris Bergh, who also represented the Keys at the workshop, said Lower Matecumbe was chosen because of its low-lying geography. The conservancy also owns easements on Sea Oats Beach.

Car Continued from page 4A

vehicle said Mors picked him up earlier in the day and told him they were going to a graduation party

“The area represented all of the design challenges [the compact was looking for],” Bergh said. He mentioned a previous workshop — the compact holds them annually — that focused on Key West. Aside from floating roads and homes, the workshop also discussed implementing natural shoreline protection and restoration treatments at Sea Oats Beach. One idea showed the installation of multiple rock barriers just offshore there to protect the beach and U.S. 1 from storm surges. “It’s all feasible [the floating roads and homes], but maybe just a bit futuristic,” Bergh said. “These workshops are meant to be outside the box, though.” Proposals for dealing with rising waters in Miami’s

in the Keys, reports say. He said he thought Mors had rented the vehicle. He said when Mors began attempting to elude Farr, he told him to pull over, but Mors refused, reports say. Mors was booked into jail.

Arch Creek and Shorecrest neighborhoods were also discussed at the workshop. Participants discussed the possibility of relocating the Shorecrest neighborhood, a proposal that recently garnered coverage in national newspapers. The full presentation can be viewed at southeastfloridaclimatecompact.org. Bergh said a final report from the

workshop is expected to be released by the compact soon. The compact was formed in 2010 to foster sustainability and climate resilience on a regional scale. It is made up of representatives from Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. bbowden@keysnews. com

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8A • June 21, 2017 • Florida Keys Free Press

marathon news

SEVEN MILE BRIDGE

BOOT KEY HARBOR

MARATHON

Body identified as part-time KCB resident

Local man sustains mysterious injury

MARATHON — Monroe County Sheriff’s Office detectives have located and notified the next of kin of Romeo Degani, 52, whose body was found floating off the Seven Mile Bridge on June 4. Degani was a part-time resident of Key Colony Beach and was born in Switzerland. Initial examination of the body revealed a gunshot wound to the head. Detectives on the case say the wound is consistent with suicide, but they are still investigating the circumstances of the death. A car, rented by Degani, was located parked at the south end of the Seven Mile Bridge. Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Major Crimes Detective Matthew Pitcher at 305-2892410.

MARATHON — A Marathon man sustained a serious injury to his neck on June 4, and detectives are attempting to determine what may have happened. Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Detective Amanda Coleman has confirmed Jeffrey Knapp, 55, was last seen uninjured by employees of the Hurricane Restaurant in Marathon. He was escorted by employees from the bar at approximately 9 p.m. Knapp was interviewed by Detective Bob Dosh at Kendall Regional Hospital. Knapp said he did not remember anything after leaving the Hurricane Restaurant. He did remember lying down on a grassy area and not being able to move very well. Knapp was located at 5 a.m. near the Barracuda Grill after a passerby called the sheriff’s office to report someone in medical distress. At the time, Knapp told deputies he believed he’d had a stroke or a seizure. Deputies who initially responded said Knapp had no visible injuries. Knapp told Dosh he did not remember being in an altercation with anyone. All of his valuables are accounted for and there was no indication a robbery took place, reports state. Anyone with any information about what may have happened to Knapp is asked to call Coleman at 305-289-2430.

CONTRIBUTED

The Coast Guard, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and state wildlife officers responded last Thursday morning to a boat fire in Boot Key Harbor that officials say resulted in no injuries. The fire started on an unnumbered, unregistered and unnamed cabin cruiser about 8:30 a.m. A Coast Guard Station Marathon response boat was the first on the scene, said Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Capt. David Dipre. The boat was engulfed by fire when crews arrived. No one was found in the water, and it was unclear to investigators if anyone was living or had been living on the boat, Dipre said. The FWC, MCSO and Marathon Fire Rescue cut the anchor line after the Coast Guard extinguished the blaze and towed the boat to a nearby sea wall to make sure it was not a navigational hazard, Dipre said.

Bridge work to start in August Knights Key to Pigeon Key is to include directional markings for cyclists and pedestrians as well as new railings. The “bumpers,” or short parking curbs currently delineating paths on the bridge, will be removed. Construction work on the structure may require barges, he noted. “The main goal is to preserve the history of the bridge,” Orozco said, referencing the 30-year agreement signed in 2014 by FDOT, Monroe County and the city of Marathon. When refurbishment is complete, vehicles weighing less than 15 tons will be able to use the bridge to access Pigeon Key and the speed limit is to be 15 mph. A proposed ordinance changing from using a code compliance board to a special magistrate got bogged down when City Attorney David Migut shared that his research and discus-

BY JILL ZIMA BORSKI Free Press Contributor

MARATHON — A presentation by a Florida Department of Transportation engineer on the Old Seven Mile Bridge project opened the June 13 Marathon City Council meeting, followed by a code compliance discussion regarding switching to the use of a special magistrate that took a surprising turn when it was discovered residents’ appeals cannot come before the council due to state law. The $33.3 million bridge project is to start in August and is expected to conclude in July 2021, according to FDOT engineer Pablo Orozco. During that time, access to Pigeon Key by ferry from Knights Key will be maintained. Though light on details, Orozco said the refurbishment of the old bridge from

Target Continued from page 1A

released some documents as well as Zecca’s indictment since his arrest, but dark clouds and curious questions have hovered over the case ever since, namely, his motive for attempting to kill Schmitt as well as the two mysterious co-conspirators Zecca mentions to an

undercover Department of Justice operative who was wearing a wire. The case began as a DEA investigation into cocaine smuggling, but DEA agents informed the FBI that Zecca was recorded telling their informant to kill Schmitt. A motion filed earlier this month asks Chief Circuit Judge Mark Jones to force the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Drug Enforcement

Info sought on missing men

Administration and the FBI to reveal the redacted names in those transcripts. “Those [undercover wire] recordings make it clear that Zecca — who barely knew Schmitt and has never confessed to a motive for hiring someone to kill him — was acting with co-conspirators,” Schmitt’s attorney, Lawrence Kellogg of Miami, wrote in the motion.

MARATHON — The families of two men missing in separate cases for a year from the same harbor are still looking for answers. Paul Thomas Murray, 48, has been missing since June 2016 and Albert Bosco, 72, has not been seen since September of last year. Both lived on boats in Boot Key Harbor. Monroe County Murray S h e r i f f ’s detectives say Murray was last seen on his boat at the harbor where he was planning to help a man named Donny Vanaria move his sailboat from Robbie’s Marina on Stock Island to Boot Key Harbor in Marathon. Detectives say they later found the sailboat,

called the Hornet, grounded on rocks near R o b b i e ’s Marina. No one Bosco was on board. Witnesses say Vanaria left town shortly afterward and detectives have not been able to locate him. Murray’s credit cards and social media accounts have not been used, nor has he contacted his children. Bosco’s daughter, who reported him missing in September, said no one had seen him since June 2016. Detectives found his boat and reported that there were no signs of a struggle on board but can find no one who had seen or heard from him. Anyone with information is asked to contact Major Crimes Detective Bob Dosh at 305-289-2410.

name). I gotta go to (redacted people).” “Schmitt needs the unredacted transcripts Zecca and other records reflecting the investigation and prosecution of Zecca so that he can amend this suit to bring civil claims against the co-conspirators,” the motion states. The motion comes after Kellogg deposed Zecca in

federal prison last month, but Zecca cited the Fifth Amendment’s protection from self-incrimination numerous times and little or no new information was obtained. The next court hearing is set before Jones on July 11. State Attorney Dennis Ward, meanwhile, is mulling whether to bring state charges against Zecca upon his release from federal prison. A trial date has yet to be scheduled. alinhardt@keysnews. com

Free Press Staff

staff have been effective at resolving code cases. But Mayor Dan Zieg and Vice Mayor Michelle Coldiron continued to support giving the new method a try due to a desire for impartiality. The proposed ordinance is to be reviewed after one year and has a 90-day clause for changing the contracted magistrate. The council voted to approve 3-1, with Bartus voting no and Councilman Steven Cook absent. The proposed ordinance, if passed upon a second reading, would be followed by a request for proposals to find the code decision-maker. Migut suggested contracting with two magistrates to help avoid conflict-of-interest or scheduling issues. Magistrates do not have to live locally due to the possibility of online hearings.

sion with other municipal attorneys showed no legal avenue for citizens’ appeals of a magistrate’s decision to come before the city council. “The state mandates that an appeal goes to court,” Migut said. The council voted 4-1 in May to ask staff to create an ordinance to switch from using volunteer citizens to a magistrate, citing a magistrate’s impartiality and knowledge of the law. Councilman John Bartus dissented, saying appealing matters to peers on the board was the better way to go. “The only thing that made me partly OK with [using a special magistrate system] was the ability to appeal to council,” Bartus said. “I still believe our code board has been responsive to the people of Marathon.” He said the board and

“However, when transcripts of the recordings were released in 2016, the identities of those co-conspirators were redacted.” According to the motion, Zecca had two taped conversations with the wired informant that are pertinent to Schmitt’s civil lawsuit, including the following exchange: Zecca: “I gotta go get it. I haven’t even talked to these people yet it’s done. I haven’t said nothing to nobody.” Undercover operative: “Who?” Zecca: It ain’t (redacted

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big pine area news REFUGE

REFUGE

9A

BIG PINE KEY

Wildlife volunteers needed

USFWS

The National Key Deer Refuge critter cam captured the circle of life last Thursday shortly after 7 p.m. As the female whitecrowned pigeon sat on the nest, a red-shouldered hawk swooped down and chased her away. Things didn’t end well for the day-old hatchling. In the almost three weeks since the critter cam has been focused on this nest viewers have been able to learn more about the habits of these threatened wild pigeons. In the coming days, viewers will see whether the pigeons will return and re-nest or whether they’ll move on. The cam can be viewed at fws.gov/ refuge/National_Key_Deer_Refuge.

BIG PINE KEY — The National Key Deer Refuge is seeking volunteers to assist wildlife biologists in the field in identifying, reporting and removing non-native plants from refuge lands. Volunteers can also participate in outreach events to distribute native plants and educate people in their communities about exotics and native alternatives. Another volunteer opportunity is assisting in monitoring critical wetland sites for endangered species through camera trapping and live capture/release of at-risk reptiles. Volunteers will place and retrieve game cameras, review pictures and record data, as well as check live traps for secretive aquatic turtles. For more information, email refuge biologist Adam Emerick at [email protected].

USFWS

The darling plum, a.k.a. red ironwood, is one of the summer fruits of the hardwood hammock edge habitats. Fruits can be eaten by Key deer, raccoon, birds and even people. This small tree/shrub is considered threatened in Florida but is relatively common in some areas of the National Key Deer Refuge.

County to proceed with building demolition BY BRIAN BOWDEN Free Press Staff

BIG PINE KEY — The former county-owned home of the Habitat for Humanity ReStore at mile marker 30.3 will soon be no more. Plans by Monroe County to raze the old building, which was deemed unsafe for public use last year, are moving forward starting with a request at next week’s Monroe County Commission meeting in Key Largo to advertise for the work. Habitat ceased public operations on the leased property in mid-January because the non-profit couldn’t pony up the roughly $575,000 to pay for necessary structural repairs. It had been there for over a decade serving as a fundraising thrift store for the affordable home-building Habitat organization. The group has until July to fully vacate. After that, the county will move forward with clearing the property. A timeline for demolition has not yet been determined. According to paperwork, associat-

ed costs are estimated at $60,000 and will come from the county’s facility maintenance general funds. After demolition is complete, the county said it will then evaluate the best use of the property. Also at the meeting, the board will receive an update on the former Big Pine Key Road Prison property. Since the state facility shut down operations of the minimum-security prison on Key Deer Boulevard in April due to costly upgrades for sewer connection and repairs, the county has shown interest in obtaining the property. Last month, staff was directed to research that idea as well as the development potential there. Protocol for state-owned property no longer in use calls for it to be offered first to other state entities or universities that might be interested in leasing it. If no takers come forward, then it can be offered up to the local government in that area for lease. If there are still no takers once all those options are exhausted, it would go to public bid and sale.

FILE

The former Habitat for Humanity ReStore at 30320 Overseas Highway is set for demolition after the non-profit fully vacates the Monroe County property in July. The non-profit ceased operations there in January when they weren’t able to afford the $575,000 in required structural repairs. According to paperwork, permitted uses of the 10-acre site are currently limited to public or hospital facilities. Through talks with the state, the county was told that if it obtained a long-term lease for the property and kept it public, such as a park or museum, there would be no need to offer it to any

state entities. However, ideas previously mentioned by county officials included using the site for affordable housing. Staff is recommending that they continue to explore the potential uses of the property. In addition to serving as a Department of Corrections pris-

on, the property also is used by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to store water vessels, trailers and other gear. Other Big Pine items set for the June 21 meeting include: • Action on a request to advertise for construction-engineering-inspection services for a state-and federal-funded project of a water observation platform at the Big Pine Community Park. The grant amount set aside for this phase of the work is $80,000 and includes improvements at the Higgs Beach pier in Key West as well. This item is listed under bulk approvals. • Action on a $20,000 contract that calls for the purchasing of a roughly 44,000 square-foot lot on Ixora Drive as part of the county’s habitat conservation plan. The advisory committee tasked with reviewing this approved it unanimously last month. Staff is also recommending approval. A full agenda and live stream of the 9 a.m. meeting can be viewed at monroecounty-fl.gov. [email protected]

Refuge staff preparing for summer wildfire season LOWER KEYS — As the summer wildfire season returns, National Key Deer Refuge will be working to reduce fire fuels on refuge lans on Big Pine, No Name and Cudjoe keys. These actions are to help protect public and private lands from wildfires sparked by lightning strikes, according to refuge officials. Select vegetation will be removed mechanically by mowing and trimming using a skidsteer and by hand trimming, with most

USFWS

The refuge conducts mechanical thinning of vegetation with a skidsteer. vegetation thinning work being completed from June to November. Fire breaks

will also be maintained in this manner to help ensure that wildfires can be contained to reduce risk to private property. Reducing highly-flammable vegetation within the forest allows firefighters to control the spread of fire, minimizing risk to homes and businesses, officials say. National Key Deer Refuge also plans to conduct prescribed burns in several locations this year on Big Pine Key. Like mechanical vegetation thinning, pre-

scribed fire is used to reduce the existing natural area fire hazard to both public and adjacent private lands while also improving wildlife habitat. Favorable weather conditions must be in accordance with fire plans before

burns can take place. Professionally trained fire personnel from other national wildlife refuges, other federal agencies, as well as state, county and volunteer department will assist with the prescribed fires on the refuge.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also uses prescribed fire as an ecological tool to maintain the fire-dependent pine rocklands in order to benefit native plants and animals such as See WILDFIRE, page 11A

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10A • June 21, 2017 • Florida Keys Free Press

business & news real estate

FLORIDA

WASHINGTON, D.C.

KEY LARGO

State jobless rate drops to 4.3 percent

DAVID KEITH/IPW

The Monroe County Tourist Development Council sales team and Florida Keys hotel partners attended the recent IPW 2017 in Washington, D.C. From left are Audrey Gonzalez, Hilton Key Largo Resort’s director of sales and marketing; Sabine Pons-Chilton, TDC sales manager; Yves Vrielynck, TDC destination sales manager; Stacey Mitchell, TDC sales director; Rhonda Whitfield, Cheeca Lodge & Spa director of sales; Liana Pyne, TDC sales manager; Maggie Fromm, The Perry Hotel Key West at Stock Island Marina’s sales and marketing manager; and Ashley Keeney, Marathon’s Holiday Inn Express & Suites director of sales and marketing. IPW is the world’s top international travel marketplace and largest generator of U.S. international travel.

FLORIDA — The state’s unemployment rate was 4.3 percent in May, down 0.2 percentage points from April and 0.6 percentage points from a year ago, according to Florida Department of Economic Opportunity figures released last Friday. There were 435,000 jobless Floridians out of a labor force of 10,147,000. The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.3 percent in May. In May, Monroe County had the state’s lowest unemployment rate at 2.7 percent, followed by St. Johns County at 3 percent and Okaloosa County at 3.1 percent. Hendry County had the highest unemployment rate at 6.6 percent, followed by Sumter County at 5.9 percent and Citrus County at 5.6 percent.

CONTRIBUTED

Centennial Bank’s Key Largo branch welcomed three Key Largo School students before the end of the school year to work in bank’s drive-thru, identify counterfeit bills, visit the vault, hold hundred-dollar bills and enjoy a few cookies in the branch lobby. Centennial’s Jody Randel, Fausta Moriera and Kathy Elmore are pictured with Andres Fernandez, Karla Gutierrez and Dalani Thomas.

Bistro goes global with flavors from all over world BY BRIAN BOWDEN Free Press Staff

ISLAMORADA — Just a month into it, executive chef Nassuby Bernal seems content with the path his new restaurant is on. He purposely opened during the summer — the usual slow period in the Florida Keys — so he would have time to work out all the kinks before tourist season hits. And he’s doing just that, but he hopes the local com-

CONTRIBUTED

Fried green tomatoes are one of the offerings at the bistro.

munity will give the eatery a try in the meantime. Bernal runs Just the Thing Global Bistro on Upper Matecumbe Key, 80925 Overseas Highway. “Welcome to your house,” Bernal says when he greets guests at the restaurant. “You’re in charge here.” The restaurant opened on June 6, just 35 days after a complete interior overhaul. Part of that work included adding exterior seating for patrons to eat and enjoy the weather, if it’s not too hot. The restaurant sits roughly 70 total and has a separate room for private parties. Bernal is no slouch in the kitchen and he said thanks to his extensive food background from around the globe, which began during high school in his home country of Venezuela, his restaurant can offer many unique tastes. Bernal, 47, has two culinary degrees and 32 years

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The restaurant seats 70 inside and offers 20 different wines and 25 beers. in the business. He credits a lot of his expertise to his brother Edward Yamid Zambrano and fellow chef Antonio Mendoza. He has cooked for government agencies, corporations, high-profile celebrities and politicians, and more. Bernal highlighted some of his favorite items on the menu. They included the roast pork bites appetizer (at $12), which is slowcooked roast pork with yuca with mojo sauce. The cool

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KEY WEST — Harold Wheeler has been touting the Florida Keys and helping to put visitors’ heads in hotel beds for the past 21 years. But come September,

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Chef Bernal cooks up some wizardry in the kitchen. a customer, even those that show up a minute before closing time. Aside from the restaurant, Bernal runs Hire a Chef for a Nite, a private chef business. For more information on both, visit the website above or call 305-517-6525. The bistro can be found on Facebook as well. bbowden@keysnews. com

TDC director Wheeler retiring this fall BY MANDY MILES

www.iguanacontrol.com

caprese salad (at $15), deepfried green tomatoes with buffalo mozzarella, mixed baby heirloom tomatoes and pesto sauce with balsamic glaze. The jacomo monster burger entrée (at $21) features two beef patties injected with cheese and topped with house bacon, ham, a fried egg, lettuce, tomato, onion, shredded plantain, avocado and slaw. “For what you spend here, you get a lot,” Bernal

said. “It’s a real full meal.” One of Bernal’s employees said her go-to item is the quesadilla (at $12). Patrons get their choice of chicken, steak, shrimp or fish and each comes with veggies, sour cream, guacamole and pico de gallo. Bernal added that all his meats are smoked in-house daily, too. The menu has 37 food selections, including six desserts. For a full menu, visit hireachefforanite.com. The restaurant also offers around 20 red/white wines and 25 beers, including two from the Florida Keys Brewing Co., to pair with meals. Bernal pledges to provide good food, drinks and service. “This is the new spot in town, so come check us out,” Bernal said. “You won’t be disappointed.” Restaurant hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. Bernal said the bistro will never turn away

an two years ago that I was getting ready to retire and I asked for a one-year employWheeler ment contract,” said Wheeler, who had been working under a series of three-year contracts with optional two-year extensions. “So I did a one-year contract, and then another one-year contract, and have been keeping Chairwoman Rita Irwin in the loop with regard to my plans. I just think it’s time. September will be 21-1/2 years.” Before he took the helm of the TDC, Wheeler led the St. Lucie County Convention and Visitors Bureau for 11-1/2 years. “So that’s 33 years working in Florida tourism,” said Wheeler, who was born in Tampa and grew up in Sebring. His tenure in Monroe County saw the TDC’s budget grow from $10 million in its fledgling years to $58 See WHEELER, page 11A

opinion

Florida Keys Free Press • June 21, 2017 •

11A

CONTACT US Florida Keys Free Press 91731 Overseas Highway Tavernier, FL 33070 Phone: 305-853-7277 Classified Ads 305-292-7777, ext. 210 Advertising Email [email protected] News Email [email protected] News Fax 305-853-0575 Website keysnews.com

Publisher Paul A. Clarin [email protected] Managing Editor Dan Campbell [email protected] Advertising Director Melanie Arnold [email protected]

INFORMATION The Florida Keys Free Press is published each Wednesday with a weekly distribution of 13,000 copies serving Big Pine Key to Key Largo. Deadlines Display Advertising . . . . . . . . . . .Friday noon Classified Advertising . . . . . . . . Friday 4 pm Classified Line Ads . . . . . . . . . Monday noon Editorial & Photos. . . . . . . . . . . Friday 5 pm Office Hours Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. (Voicemail after hours.) Notice to Advertisers The Free Press assumes no financial responsibility for typographical errors in advertisements, but, when notified promptly will reprint that part of the advertisement in which the typographical error appears. All advertising in this publication is subject to the approval of the publisher. The Free Press reserves the right to correctly classify, edit or delete any objectionable wording or reject the advertisement in its entirety at any time prior to scheduled publication, in the event it is determined that the advertisement or any part thereof is contrary to its general standard of advertising acceptance. This newspaper is made using renewable wood fiber from sustainably managed forests that are independently certified to meet globally recognized sustainable forest management standards. Free Press is a wholly owned subsidiary of Cooke Communications, 3420 Northside Dr., Key West, FL 33040. ©2017 Cooke Communications

It’s time to address the ‘Green Plague’ There’s one subject upon which almost every resident of the Florida Keys would agree: Iguanas are bad news. We’re all familiar with the most annoying behaviors of this invasive species. They consume flowering gardens, fruit and vegetables at breakneck speeds. They carry and spread dangerous bacteria. They defecate in the most inconvenient places. For now, Keys residents mostly put up with the nuisance of iguanas as a cost of living in paradise, but that relative state of bliss may not last for long. The subtropical Keys provide an ideal climate for these intruders who have no natural predators here. Green iguanas (the subspecies most common in Florida) can grow up to 6 feet long, nose to tail, and females can lay a clutch of 75 eggs a year. They are agile climbers, excellent swimmers and can burrow deep into the rockiest soil to make nests. They elbow indigenous birds and mammals out of their natural ecological niches. Puerto Rico has been virtually besieged by iguanas. Agriculture

editorial

losses tally in the millions of dollars because of this “Green Plague.” National Geographic reports that roadways and sidewalks have cratered around the island from collapsed iguana burrows. Electrical and telephone outages are common when iguanas chew through metal cables. Iguanas warm themselves on airport runways causing air traffic delays. There’s no reason to believe these problems won’t strike the Keys sooner or later. Some already have. The bacteria nearly all iguanas carry present the most immediate risk to visitors and residents in our county. Zoologists point out that in the wild, iguanas tend to defecate in water. Here in the Keys, that water is likely to be a swimming pool. The problem is not simply fouled, muddy pool water. The New England Journal of Medicine reported that “Each year in the United States, there

are an estimated 800,000 to 4 million salmonella infections and approximately 500 are fatal.” While relatively few of those infections are thought to be caused by primary or secondary contact with iguanas, they are certainly more common in iguana-infested regions. More alarming still is the fact that salmonella bacteria commonly carried by iguanas are increasingly resistant to multiple antibiotic therapies making infection far more tenacious — even deadly. Gardening, playing with outdoor pets, keeping chickens and, yes, even a dip in the pool are all contact points for iguana-borne salmonella infection. Kids are at especially high risk: Their developing immune systems are vulnerable and outdoor play puts them in the middle of these dangerous pathogens. The Keys have a good track record of dealing with dangerous invasive species. The Nature Conservancy in Key Largo collaborates with Everglades National Park to identify and trap prolific and predatory Burmese pythons

in the Everglades. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission gives prizes for bagging the biggest and most pythons. Throughout the Keys, the Monroe County Tourist Development Council and non-profit Reef Environmental Education Foundation promote lionfish derby days, restaurants serving the fish and lionfish jewelry workshops where you can sip a glass of wine while learning to craft ornaments from lionfish scales and fins. It is high time we take a similar approach to invasive, harmful iguanas in the Keys. Florida wildlife and environmental agencies have ready-made templates they can apply to iguana control. The TDC and local environmental not-for-profits have a mission-driven interest in keeping iguana populations from further endangering our environment and safety. We are facing our own “Green Plague” in the Florida Keys. It’s time to take care of our iguana problem. — The Key West Citizen

Microcosm vs. macrocosm

Housing project would create urban sprawl

I find it unfortunate indeed that former Islamorada mayor and councilman Bob Johnson must spend so much of his journalistic ability and op/ed space to defend against the spurious, specious attacks of the sycophantic syncro-servo minions of the village’s pro-development faction, which is resolutely and successfully striving to build something on every lot in Islamorada. Equally unfortunate is the almost total lack of response from the apathetic, asleep-at-the-switch population to this plainly political propaganda. The town is being stealthily stolen from under the very noses of its complacently sleeping citizens. It’s past time to wake up. It has been said that what’s true in the microcosm is also true in the macrocosm. As the political corruption, greed and attacks on meritorious officials cripple and obstruct justice in the microcosm of the tiny town of Islamorada, so do the same actions cripple and obstruct us in the nation’s capital of Washington, D.C. The incredibly stupid partisan wrangling and internecine warfare in the upper reaches of our government are a joy and delight to all our foreign enemies and a wonderful opportunity for them to do us serious harm. Honest Abe was correct: “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” In the microcosm of Islamorada and the macrocosm of Washington, D.C., we must awake and take action. Get up on your hind legs and bark.

Re: Major conditional use permit for Southcliff Estates Employee Housing, 95301 Overseas Highway, Key Largo: After reviewing volumes of documents and listening to local public input, we question the land use density being proposed for the above referenced project and are concerned about the impact on community character of single family residents in adjacent neighborhoods. Goals and policies are in place to ensure designated suburban communities maintain their distinctive characteristics. The Monroe County Commission adopted corridor development guidelines as rules for development of parcels fronting U.S. 1 outside the public right-of-way. They are adopted as an overlay to the existing zoning. The type of development being proposed should be directed toward a General Urban Zone to prevent urban sprawl and to ensure protection of the suburban community character. Please take into consideration the participation of community residents who worked closely with county planners to design standards that would maintain and increase the unique cultural identity. Many of these residents still live in this suburban area and join with those who are deeply concerned that projects, such as the above referenced, would allow development to redefine community character through unchecked urban sprawl, ultimately chipping away at the Livable CommuniKeys Master Plan for Tavernier Creek to mile marker 97, the Tavernier Creek to mile marker 97 U.S. 1 corridor development standards and guidelines, and the Monroe County Comprehensive Land Use Plan. There is support for a lower-density project in keeping with the intentions of regulations and neighboring single family residential homes. On behalf of our homeowners association, we would like to encourage the Monroe County Planning Department to re-evaluate the March 13 staff report and recommend denial.

Van Cadenhead, Islamorada

Fool on the hill Short and sweet Bob Johnson, you were exposed to your ineptness. Vice Mayor Chris Sante and I have absolutely no professional ties to each other. The “Lisa Shaw” you quoted as me, on the record, is not me. And I assume that based on your letter, women are not smart enough to write an opinion for the paper. Get over it. You’re a fool on the hill.

Pedro Fernandez, president, Lime Grove Estates Property Owners Association

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business/big pine key continued Wildfire

Wheeler

Continued from page 9A

Continued from page 10A

the Key deer, Big Pine partridge pea, pineland croton and Bartram’s scrub-hairstreak butterfly, officials say. Restoration and maintenance of the pine rockland habitat is essential for a healthy, fire-dependent ecosystem. Community updates, up to and including when prescribed fire dates are proposed and when a prescribed fire occurs, it will be announced through local print and radio press releases, the National Key Deer Refuge Facebook page and roadside advisory signs. Maps of proposed burn areas can be viewed at the refuge visitor center at 179 Key Deer Blvd. and at fws. gov/nationalkeydeer.

million for fiscal year 2018. “It is impossible to measure Harold’s dedication and the contributions he has made to the TDC’s marketing programs for so long,” Irwin said. “He has guided our initiatives through both good and challenging times, and his commitment has never wavered. No doubt he has earned his retirement.” The TDC board will hold a special meeting “in the very near future” to establish a procedure for finding Wheeler’s replacement and establish the criteria for the new director. “I think they’ll want someone with prior TDC and destination marketing organization experience,” Wheeler said, expecting significant interest from members of a statewide association

USFWS

A firefighter conducts a prescribed burn at the National Key Deer Refuge.

of DMOs that Wheeler chaired in 2014. “The board will likely be looking at directors and assistant directors who are familiar with state statutes as well as destination marketing efforts, over someone who has done marketing or press releases for a local business for the past several years.” In addition to his work with the TDC, Wheeler also served on the Florida Governor’s Commission on Tourism for eight years and was a member of Visit Florida’s board of directors for 10 years. Among other honors, he received the 2010 Margo Golan Community Service Award from the Lodging Association of the Florida Keys and Key West. “While I look forward to a more relaxed lifestyle that retirement affords, I will miss relationships that have been made and am proud of the team’s accomplishments,” he said. [email protected]

12A • June 21, 2017 • Florida Keys Free Press

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pursuits • Living • Learning • Playing • Exploring

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FLORIDA KEYS FREE PRESS • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 2017

2B

1B

Cheers!

By the numbers Lima named Baseball Player of Year. 6B

Legal thriller for Grisham, Turow fans

Islamorada Beer Co. team lands tournament-record fish. 9B

A safe haven CONTRIBUTED

Fiddle player Randy Barnett, left, and guitarist Steve Hall form the band Fiddle Rock, a Marathon-based musical act that performs regularly around town.

THERESA JAVA/Free Press

Pelicans and a booby await visitors along the boardwalk at the Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center’s Laura Quinn Wild Bird Sanctuary.

Maimed birds convalesce at center

Duo doesn’t fiddle around, they rock BY BRIAN BOWDEN Free Press Staff

BY THERESA JAVA Free Press Staff

TAVERNIER — The sound of seagulls caw-cawing can be heard from the parking lot, and within a short walking distance along a wooden path, they’re there. About 20 noisy gulls and terns in a sandy-cordoned section of mangroves squawk at visitors, fluff their feathers and puff their chests at the Laura Quinn Wild Bird Sanctuary. Before reaching the seagulls, though, there are two parrots at the entrance. The yellow-headed Amazon is Fredericka, who belonged to the late Quinn, founder of the Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center, which now includes the Mission Wild Bird center at mile marker 92, bayside, in addition to the sanctuary. Fredericka is in her 40s now. The other is Nikki, a military macaw, also in her 40s. The pelicans right next door to the seagulls have a pond with vertical fountains. They are enclosed in a large mesh lanai. There are about 20 or so and a booby too. Their deformities are not as subtle as their neighboring terns’ given their size. The sanctuary provides a home to a flock of about 100 birds that would otherwise probably not have made it in the wild. Something tragic happened to each one that resulted in a major injury. These birds all have

FILE

The Laura Quinn Wild Bird Sanctuary is located at mile marker 93.6, bayside. broken wings, mutilated beaks or limps when they walk. Many of the injuries are the result of a car or boat strike. There are a lot of different birds at the center including hawks, owls, a falcon, ibis, egrets, white-crowned pigeons, cormorants and blue jays, among many more. Each species requires different care and birds of prey require their own habitat. At the center’s hospital, they rescue injured wild birds, treat them accord-

ingly and release them if possible. On average, they treat about 100 birds per month, according to director Rob Bulkiewicz. Rehabilitators limit human contact to ensure a bird’s best chance of survival after its release. “We are constantly working to improve the place. It’s a lot of work, but we have a great team,” Bulkiewicz said. The footprint at the center itself is small but it sits on about 12 acres of land. The bird’s natural habitats are niched out of native foliage, making it as natural as possible. Birds are high-maintenance and require constant cleaning up after. Local volunteer Ken Lorben arrives at 6 a.m. daily to feed the birds. He’s been freely giving his time there for four years. “It’s not as hot out when I get here, and I just get it done,” he said on a recent steamy morning. The bird center’s mission is to educate the public about the importance of coexisting with wild birds. It launched a “No Hooks Left Behind” campaign last year publicizing the importance of not letting fishing line or hooks enter the ecosystem. Earlier this month, the center wrapped up its first program with Plantation Key School. Teacher Tamara Green raised $574 in donaSee HAVEN, page 5B

M A R A T H O N — Musicians Steve Hall and Randy Barnett formed the Middle Keys-based group Fiddle Rock about five years ago. Since that time, the two Boot Key Harbor liveaboards have been performing on the local circuit, belting out classic rock, country tunes and more. Although born over a thousand miles apart and not originally hailing from the Florida Keys, Hall and Barnett would eventually come together through music and, by some odd twist of fate years later, end up living in Marathon at the same time. Hall was born in Arkansas before moving to Tampa shortly thereafter and Barnett was born in New York. The two first met in 2006 in Barnett’s hometown when Hall was touring with artist Eric Stone. Hall would return years later to play that same gig only to learn that Barnett had moved to Marathon — the same place Hall was already getting ready to settle down in. After Hall retired from being on the road full-time

in 2013 and made the move to Marathon, it wasn’t long before he and Barnett were playing together once again. Both musicians have extensive backgrounds in their craft. As a kid, Hall’s father worked at the Grand Ole Opry. So he grew up listening to stories his old man would tell about his time there and, of course, they would sit around and listen to some of the performers who hit that famous stage such as Hank Williams and Dolly Parton. Hall’s grandfather was also a musician, although in a swing band. Hall recalled a framed photograph of him holding a Gibson guitar that hung on the wall of their home. “I grew up wanting to be just like him,” Hall said. Around 14 years old, Hall began making that dream a reality. He started playing the guitar after watching footage of Jimi Hendrix. Thinking about it now, he laughs when recalling that he didn’t have YouTube videos helping him learn how to play an instrument like much of today’s generation See DUO, page 3B

Volunteers needed to catalog moths of the Florida Keys FLORIDA KEYS — Want to help discover a new species? In the past 10 years there have been almost 600 species of moths identified in the Florida Keys and through an ongoing survey new species are being discovered all the time. Moths are important pollinators. While they outnumber butterflies and other well-known pollinators, very little is known about them. This citizen CONTRIBUTED science research project will A sheet illuminated by lights provide information about draws moths for a count. the diversity and abun-

dance of these creatures. June is the best time of year to witness biodiversity in moths, and the first-ever Keys moths Bio Blitz will be held Thursday, June 22, at the National Key Deer Refuge and Saturday, June 24, at Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge. The free, family-friendly events will provide an understanding of the moth fauna in the Keys and will be guided by “Moth Guy” David Fine in cataloging as many species of moths as possible.

The National Key Deer Refuge event will be held from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., and participants should meet at the visitor center in the Big Pine Key Shopping Plaza, mile marker 30. The Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge event will be held from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., and participants should meet at Key Largo refuge headquarters at 10750 County Road 905. For more information, call park ranger Kristie Killam at 305-872-0774.

KEYSNEWS.COM

KRISTIE KILLAM/Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges

The first Keys moths Bio Blitz events will be held Thursday, June 22, at the National Key Deer Refuge, and Saturday, June 24, at Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Key Largo. The citizen science research project will provide information about the diversity and abundance of the area moths.

2B • June 21, 2017 • Florida Keys Free Press

more pursuits

A legal thriller for fans of Grisham, Turow BY DAVID BECKWITH Free Press Contributor

Director and screenwriter Alan Hruska is known for his work on several films and plays, including “Nola,” “The Warrior Class,” “Renunion” and, most recently, 2014’s “The Man On Her Mind.” Hruska, a native New Yorker and graduate of Yale and Yale Law School, is also a former trial lawyer who has represented such high-profile clients as Henry Kissinger, Sam Walton and Katherine Graham. He is also the author of two legal thrillers. “Pardon The Ravens” is the most recent. As cofounder of Soho Press, he currently serves as chairman of its board.

“Pardon The Ravens” takes place in 1961 and the protagonist is an up-and-coming young lawyer named Alec Brno. Brno is a poor boy who grew up in Queens and, only a couple of years out of law school, has been hired by a prestigious Wall Street law firm. Recently in his career Alec had the skill and beginner’s luck to win a case his firm expected to lose. This leads to his next assignment as a junior attorney to one of his firm’s highest profile cases and, by far, the biggest case of his career: a fraud, class-action suit in which billions of dollars are at stake. A New Jersey oil storage facility with tankers that should be loaded with oil are instead full of salt water. The case and

the Angiapello crime family are interrelated. The matter is drawing international headlines. Alec risks it all when he meets and falls madly in love with Carrie, an alluring young woman who happens to be the wife of the Angiapello family’s sadistic don, Phil Anwar, the mastermind behind the scandal. Carrie is a battered wife with a young daughter who is in Phil’s custody. Carrie also has a drug problem, perpetuated by her husband. When she meets Alec she is trying to stay clean to get custody of her daughter back from her sadistic husband. Alec and Carrie end up on the run, but they soon find out there is no place to hide. This book is a legal thriller. If

you like books by John Grisham or Scott Turow, you will probably enjoy this book. The cinematic chapters are extremely short, often as short as one page. This allows you to pick up the book and read it for a few minutes without getting too lost within it. As some chapters begin, Hruska sets the scene as if he is writing a screenplay as he describes the location and place in time. The author tells the story from several different points of view. There are many, many characters to keep up with. Some could have been eliminated with no loss to the story. Some readers may not understand the finer points of law being presented. It is dialogue heavy and light on description.

The editing is solid. But I thought straight-shooter, heroic Alec’s head-over-heels, immediate infatuation with a hardcore drug addict, and his instant willingness to forfeit everything of value in his life, to be a little unrealistic. I thought this visit to the “Mad Men” era was fun. I found the story to be fast-paced and had all the ingredients that make a thriller. It had wife-beating, drugs, alcohol addiction, racketeering, mobsters, trial scenes and killings, and it kept me wanting to turn the pages to find out the final outcome. All in all, I enjoyed the read. – David Beckwith is author of the Will and Betsy Black adventure series.

faces & places PHOTO EXHIBIT

GARDEN CLUB SCHOLARS

top 10 bestsellers HARDBACK FICTION 1. Camino Island (Debut) 2. Into the Water 3. The Ministry of Utmost Happiness (Debut) 4. Magpie Murders 5. Norse Mythology 6. A Gentleman in Moscow 7. Dragon Teeth 8. Anything Is Possible CONTRIBUTED

9. The Underground Railroad

The Marathon Garden Club Scholarship Committee awarded scholarships to two graduating Marathon High School seniors: Alyssa Turner and Mackenzie Helms. Turner, class salutatorian, has been accepted at Florida State University with a major in environmental science. Helms, president of National Honor Society, also has been accepted into FSU’s environmental science program. From left Turner, garden club’s Barbara Wright and Helms.

10. Testimony

H A R D B A C K N O N F I C T. 1. Astrophysics for People in a Hurry

STANDOUT READER

2. Theft by Finding: Diaries 3. Al Franken, Giant of the Senate

Tinashay Cunningham is entering the fourth grade at Stanley Switlik Elementary School in the fall, and she is one of the standout participants of the Marathon Public Library’s 2017 ‘Build a Better World’ summer reading program, according to the coordinators. In her first week of summer vacation, she completed more than seven hours of reading. In this photo, she is holding up a log that shows the time she spent reading. For more information about the program, call 305-743-5156.

4. Hillbilly Elegy 5. Option B 6. The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck 7. The American Spirit 8. Make Your Bed 9. Killers of the Flower Moon 10. The Hidden Life of Trees The Indie Bestseller List is produced by the American Booksellers Association and is based on sales in independent bookstores nationwide during the week ended June 10, 2017.

CONTRIBUTED

The SALT Gallery at 830 Fleming Street in Key West is hosting an exhibit of two dozen images by National Geographic photographer Don Kincaid. A filmmaker and photographer for more than 40 years, Kincaid’s images document the marine habitat of the Florida Keys and the heyday of treasure-hunting. For more information, call 305-517-6088 or visit saltgallerykeywest.com.

CONTRIBUTED

live entertainment LOCAL BAND AND VOCALIST PERFORMANCES FRIDAY, June 23 Bayside Grille: The Catch 6 to 9 p.m. Boondocks: John Bartus & Storm Watch 7 to 11 p.m. Caribbean Club: The Catch 10:30 p.m. to 3 a.m. Cheeca Lodge: The Little Things 4 to 6 p.m. Gilberts: Bobbe Brown noon to 4 p.m., Ocean Disco 7 to 11 p.m. Hog Heaven: The Little Things 7:30 to 11:30 p.m., DJ 10:30 p.m. to closing. The Hurricane: Simone & The Supercats 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Island Grill at Snake Creek: Derrick Herring 6 to 9 p.m. Jimmy Johnson’s Big Chill: Taylor King Band 6 to 11 p.m. Kiki’s Sand Bar: Roger Jokela 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Looe Key Tiki Bar: Cat 4 7 to 11 p.m. Lorelei: The Carousers 6 to 10 p.m., Magic by Michael Trixx after sunset. Nowhere Bar and Grill: DJ Maja 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. Oceanview Lounge: Allan & Luke 7 to 11 p.m. Pilot House: Beatleman 6 to 10 p.m. Postcard Inn: Stereo Underground 8 p.m. to midnight. Safari Lounge: Lady A Blues Band 8 to 11 p.m. Snapper’s: The Outer Band 7 to 10 p.m. Snook’s Bayside: Yishka 6 to 10 p.m. Sparky’s Landing: Karen Weber & The Funkin’ Conchs 6:30 to 10 p.m.

SATURDAY, June 24 Bayside Grille: Steve Venini 6 to 9 p.m.

Boondocks: Jade Storm 7 to 11 p.m. Caribbean Club: Cat Daddies 10:30 p.m. to 3 a.m. Gilberts: Cutler Stew 1 to 5 p.m., Shane Duncan Band 7 to 11 p.m., Magic with Michael Trixx 8 p.m. Hog Heaven: Taylor King Band 7:30 to 11:30 p.m., DJ 10:30 p.m. to closing. The Hurricane: See Friday listing. Island Grill at Snake Creek: John Mavis 1 to 4 p.m. (beach), Derrick Herring 6 to 9 p.m. Kiki’s Sand Bar: Michelle Dravis 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Looe Key Tiki Bar: Phoenix 7 to 11 p.m. Lorelei: The Dropouts Band 6 to 10 p.m. Nowhere Bar and Grill: See Friday listing. Pilot House: Mike Mitzner 6 to 10 p.m.

Postcard Inn: Brothers of Others 8 p.m. to midnight. Snapper’s: See Friday listing. Snook’s Bayside: The Freddies noon to 4 p.m., Ashba 6 to 10 p.m. Sparky’s Landing: High Tide 6:30 to 10 p.m.

SUNDAY, June 25 Bayside Grille: The Outer Band 6 to 9 p.m. Boondocks: Island Kissed Country 6 to 10 p.m. Gilberts: The Regs 1 to 6 p.m. Hog Heaven: John Cuilla Acoustic 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Island Grill at Mandalay: Jam Nite with Kenny Channels 6 to 10 p.m. Island Grill at Snake Creek: Kenny

Channels 1 to 4 p.m., Steel Drums (beach) 1 to 4 p.m. Kiki’s Sand Bar: Emily Springsteen 4 to 7 p.m. Looe Key Tiki Bar: Paul Kercher 6 to 10 p.m. Lorelei: TBA noon to 4 p.m., Webb & Davidson 6 to 10 p.m. Nowhere Bar and Grill: Karaoke 5 to 9 p.m. Postcard Inn: Klass 1 Band 1 to 6 p.m. Snapper’s: Live Jazz by Frank Carmelitano 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Catfish 5 to 9 p.m. Snook’s Bayside: The Sweetwater Band noon to 4 p.m., Steel Drums by Sir Cedrik 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sunset Grille: Chris Case Duo 6 to 9 p.m.

Florida Keys Free Press • June 21, 2017 •

things to do

3B

Cooking-themed films continue MARATHON — The Marathon Public Library will present the film, “The Hundred-Foot Journey,” starring Helen Mirren and produced by Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey, at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 21, as part of its free June Cinematheque series, “The Joy of Cooking” For more information, call 305-743-5156. The library is at 3251 Overseas Highway.

Art on display KEY LARGO — The Key Largo Library’s community room walls have a rotating display of works by local artists. Space will be available again starting Aug. 1. Artists can display their works for 30 days. Artists who have not displayed yet will get preference. An agreement must be filled out and is available at the library’s front desk. CONTRIBUTED

Those with collectables and the desire to learn more about them and how to preserve them are invited to attend the Key West Art & Historical Society’s ‘Trash or Treasure?’ event on Saturday, June 24.

Are your items trash or treasure? KEY WEST — Those interested in learning more about their own personal historic objects and how to preserve them are invited to “Trash or Treasure?” from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 24, at the Custom House Museum, 281 Front Street. Admission is free. Key West Art & Historical Society curator Cori Convertito, Monroe County Public Library archivist Breana Sowers and Key West artist and architectural historian Sharon

Wells will provide tips on how to best catalog and preserve important personal items for future generations. The society will present examples from its own permanent collection, samples of archival-grade storage materials, archive and museum catalogs for perusal, handouts relating to digitizing photograph and paper collections, and information about collecting oral histories. “Examples of objects that people are encouraged to bring to ‘Trash

or Treasure’ include family photographs and albums, family bibles or books, local artwork, important family documents, documents relating to Florida Keys history and 3-D items such as textiles, jewelry, tableware and sculptures,” Convertito said. The session comes with free museum entry for participants, parking behind the museum and refreshments. For more information, call Convertito at 305-295-6616, ext. 112 or visit kwahs.org.

Duo

ISLAMORADA — Upper Keys historian Jerry Wilkinson will host a new monthly history program at 7 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of the month at Coral Isles Church, mile marker 90, oceanside. The June 27 program will include a screening of the movie, “AeroJet-Dade,” about the AeroJet Corp.’s $10 million solid rocket engine facility in the eastern Everglades in the 1960s.

Writers to meet KEY LARGO — The monthly gathering of the Latitude 25 Writers will begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 28, at the Key Largo Library community room, mile marker 101.4, oceanside. For more information, call Steve Gibbs at 305-451-4164.

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Barnett, above, and Hall, right, perform during a past concert. years and worked behind the scenes with production. He eventually returned to his fiddle in 2006 and made his way to the Keys in 2011, where the local circuit, like in his hometown, beckoned to him. Hall doesn’t hide the fact that Fiddle Rock is a cover band, but he doesn’t think that defines them. When asked what sets the group apart from other local acts, Hall didn’t hesitate, saying it’s Barnett’s fiddle — somewhat unique in the Keys — combined with his electric guitar. He added that many musicians here lean toward acoustic shows and that can produce a lot of similar material. “You won’t get any sunset music from us,” Hall said. “We always come to rock

out.” Fiddle Rock plays weekly at four locations: 8 p.m. Monday at the Hurricane, 4650 Overseas Highway; 6 p.m. Thursday at Sunset Grille, 7 Knights Key Blvd.; 6 p.m. Friday at Havana Jack’s, 401 E. Ocean Drive; and 7 p.m. Sunday at Dockside Grill, 35 Sombrero Blvd. Aside from those gigs, they perform at 7 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month at Looe Key Tiki Bar, 27340 Overseas Highway, and can also been seen on occasion at the Safari Lounge, 73814 Overseas Highway. For more information on the band including booking, visit fiddlerock.com or find them on Facebook. bbowden@keysnews. com

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does. He was all self-taught, he said. During the 1990s, after a stint in the Navy, he became one of the founding members of an Alabamabased group called the Watermelon Creek Band. They recorded one album before disbanding. Then in 2003, he started touring with Stone. That lasted a decade before he decided to hang his traveling hat up. Barnett, on the other hand, grew up playing instruments from a very young age. At age 5, he was playing the piano. At age 9, the guitar. At 12, the flute. At 14, the violin. “I immediately took to the violin learning Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix songs,” Barnett said. During the ‘80s, Barnett played a barrage of instruments for several groups in his hometown of Binghamton, N.Y. In the ‘90s, he played with artist Hollywood Joe for Woodstock’s 25th Reunion Tour. “There is nothing like seeing over 50,000 people as you play the fiddle,” Barnett said. Barnett took a break from performing for a few

History presentation

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4B • June 21, 2017 • Florida Keys Free Press

outdoors

at the movies … IN THE KEYS & SOUTH FLORIDA

coming soon: Transformers: The Last Knight (PG-13, Action/Adventure and SciFi/Fantasy) - Optimus Prime is gone, and humans and

Transformers are at war. The key to saving our future lies buried in the secrets of the past, in the hidden history of Transformers on Earth. Saving our world falls upon the shoulders of an unlikely alliance: Cade Yeager, an English lord and an Oxford professor.

now showing: Rough Night (R, Comedy) - Five best friends from college

reunite 10 years later for a wild bachelorette weekend in Miami. Their hard partying takes a hilariously dark turn when they accidentally kill a male stripper. Amidst the craziness of trying to cover it up, they’re ultimately brought closer together when it matters most. All Eyez on Me (R, Drama and Biopic) - This film chronicles

the life and legacy of Tupac Shakur, including his rise to superstardom as a hip-hop artist, actor, poet and activist, as well as his imprisonment and prolific, controversial time at Death Row Records. Against insurmountable odds, Shakur rose to become a cultural icon whose career and persona both continue to grow long after his passing. Cars 3 (G, Family, Action/Adventure and Animation) - Blindsided

by a new generation of blazing-fast racers, the legendary Lightning McQueen is suddenly pushed out of the sport he loves. To get back in the game, he will need the help of an eager young race technician with her own plan to win, inspiration from the late Fabulous Hudson Hornet and a few unexpected turns. The Mummy (PG-13, Action/Adventure and Horror/Suspense) Thought safely entombed in a crypt deep beneath the desert, an ancient queen (Sofia Boutella) whose destiny was unjustly taken from her is awakened in our current day, bringing with her malevolence grown over millennia and terrors that defy human comprehension. Wonder Woman (PG-13, Action/Adventure and Sci-Fi/Fantasy)

- Raised on the mythical island of Themyscira and trained by Amazonian warriors, a young woman named Diana fulfills a destiny long ago bestowed on her by the gods when her home and the world at large are threatened. Information courtesy of movieinsider.com

future releases:

The House

Despicable Me 3

Baby Driver

dvd releases

All the world’s a sage BY ROBIN ROBINSON Key West Garden Club

W

hat do the Galapagos Islands and the Florida Keys have in common beside birds that don’t fly away when we walk amidst them? Both have swimming iguanas and the native wild sage or Lantana involucrata. I don’t know how lantana got to the Galapagos, but the birds find the puce drupe of berries irresistible, so maybe the seeds flew to the South American islands in the belly of a migrating bird. Lantana is a shrub 4 to 8 feet in height and the same in width. It has willow-like, wooden, densely branched stems and rough bark. Lantana means “flexible,” referring to its bendable branches. It grows along sunny hammock edges, pine rocklands and coastal thickets. Wildlife uses its thick cover to hide. Like all the native plants, it likes nutrient-poor, well-drained soil and is drought-, windand salt-tolerant.

ROBIN ROBINSON/Contributed

The flowers cluster together to form bright lights among the dark green leaves.

ROBIN ROBINSON/Contributed

Lantana is a native shrub that attracts wildlife.

It is also called wild sage because its rough, ellipsoidal leaves smell like sage when they are crushed. The leaves are added to baths to ease heat rash and insect bites. That soothing quality made them useful for the old-time itches of chicken pox and measles. A calming tea is also made from the leaves. The white inflorescence is a small group of fivelobed flowers with yellow or pink centers. Each flower is approximately a quarter-inch across. They bloom year-round, often at the same time that fruit forms. Every butterfly found in the Keys stops by for a slurp of sweet nectar. The gardener will be well rewarded for planting this ROBIN ROBINSON/Contributed hearty shrub. Watching Lantana berries are covered the butterflies is a form of with the remaining flower calyx. backyard meditation. When

What’s in a Florida Keys name, Part 3 few more locations, but on the lighter side. El Radabob Key is located on the eastern n this series, we’ve edge of Largo Sound, discussed how Alligator Reef, Indian within the boundaries of Key, Carysfort Reef, Garden John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. In 1774, Cove, Looe Key, Pickles Reef and Molasses Reef got El Radabob was initially called Sound Point their names. If you read because it was thought those articles, you’d know to be the true location of that locations depicted Cape Florida, also known were typically named for as Sound Point. Later, it historic events — some of became an agricultural setthem tragic (shipwrecks, tlement and was renamed Indian raids, etc.). This Julia’s Island. The name El week we’ll be going over a Radabob was created from the Radford Crane family, who owned the island when John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park was designated in 1960. When Radford Crane donated a significant amount of land to the park, it included the NOW SHOWING island, which was renamed El Radabob, using parts of the names of the children: Ellen, Radford Jr., David (PG-13) and Bob. 7:00PM Nightly Lake Surprise, one of 2:00PM Matinees on the more amusing names Saturday & Sunday in the Florida Keys, was COMING SOON not so humorous to those The Mummy (PG-13) who discovered the lake. 305.743.0288 • 5101 Overseas Hwy. It is one of the first bodies Behind Marathon Liquors & Deli of water traversed by the www.marathoncinema.com

BY BOB MUHLY

PICK OF THE WEEK Life (R, Thriller, Horror and Sci-Fi/Fantasy) - On the International Space Station, the crew has received a biological sample from Mars that may be the first proof of extraterrestrial life, which could completely revolutionize science. But the sample proves to be intelligent and dangerous. Soon the astronauts are racing to save themselves, and the Earth, from lethal consequences.

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someone asks, “What are you doing?” You can idly reply, “I’m observing the butterflies.” Insects choose which flower to eat from by sensing the ultimate readiness of the nectar. When the nectar is forming it has a negative electrical output. When it is ripe and ready to eat the signal turns from negative to positive. Insects have the ability to detect that electrical change. The small fruit forms in drupes and creates a splashy puce accent on the inconspicuous bush. Every seed-eating bird flocks to imbibe on the appealing juices. However, the fruit is poisonous to humans so don’t follow their lead and eat it. Involucrata describes clustered flowers protected by bracts. That is a complicated explanation for a very

small flower. Gardeners can see the bracts around the forming fruit. Wild sage can be propagated from green stem cuttings or seed. Mash the fruit on a paper towel until the small seeds are released. Let the paper towel dry. Soak the seeds overnight and plant the next day. Folk medicine used it for cough control, congestion, vomiting and to break fevers. The leaves also were used in cooking. Its oil is used in cosmetics and liquors. The gardener uses it as a screen, buffer or a hedge. If put in the garden, it is sure to attract a plethora of insects, butterflies, small wildlife and birds to revel in its abundance. Key West Master Gardener Robin Robinson was a columnist for the Chicago Daily News and syndicated with Princeton Features. Her books are “Plants of Paradise” and “Roots, Rocks and Rain: Native Trees of the Florida Keys.”

who first surveyed the Keys and wrote “Reconnaissance of the Florida Reef and all the Keys,” reported that the island between Summerland Key and Little Pine Island was called “No Name Key.” Despite Spanish efforts to name all the Keys under their control, this island went unnamed. It is a relatively small island of approximately 1,140 acres, approximately 1 mile wide and 2 miles long. Comparatively, its neighbor to the west, Overseas Highway, just past Jewfish Creek. It truly Big Pine Key, has about is a lake, contained entirely 5,800 acres. In 1870, there were only 22 houses, with within the island of Key 16 of them occupied, when Largo. Its discovery was a tremendous surprise when the census enumerator passed through the Lower encountered by construction crews building Henry Keys. Although housing Flagler’s Florida East Coast and population counts Railway. Since the body of have increased since then, water had not appeared it is still one of the “best on preliminary surveys of kept secret” locations in Key Largo, it presented one the Keys. of the earliest obstacles If your interest is peaked, for the project. When the Florida State Parks include crews attempted to fill in a much of the history of the causeway for the railroad, Florida Keys. Learn more rather than build a bridge, about the stories behind the fill material simply dis- the names and plan your appeared. After 15 months trip by visiting floridastateof arduous work, Lake parks.org. Surprise was eventually Bob Muhly is a park conquered. ranger at John Pennekamp In 1849, F. H. Gerdes, Coral Reef State Park.

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Florida Keys Free Press • June 21, 2017 •

things to do

5B

‘Ernest’ attempts to be a look-alike out for Hemingway, who lived in Key West for nearly a decade in the 1930s. The look-alike contest is a highlight of the island’s annual Hemingway Days celebration. Set for July 18 to 23, the festival salutes the writing talent, sporting pursuits and colorful lifestyle of the American author who was Key West’s most famous literary resident. Look-alike hopefuls come from around the United States to enter the contest. They typically compete

wearing safari gear or wool fishermen’s turtlenecks, apparel identified with the author in his older years, and attempt to copy the “Papa” persona eventually adopted by Hemingway. Preliminary rounds are set for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 20, and Friday, July 21, with the finals at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. The contest is judged by a group of former winners including 2016’s Dave Hemingway, who is not related to Ernest. Look-alikes also take

center stage at Sloppy Joe’s “Running of the Bulls,” a spoof of the renowned annual event in Pamplona, Spain. More a parade than a fast-paced sporting challenge, the event features mock bulls and begins at 1 p.m. Saturday outside Sloppy Joe’s. Also scheduled is a Wednesday evening “meet and greet” where contestants and their fans can mingle with former winners, and a “birthday party” onstage at Sloppy Joe’s on

TDC

Hemingway look-alikes compete in 2015. the 118th anniversary of Hemingway’s July 21 birth. In addition, the look-alikes are to announce the recip-

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Rehabilitating birds are kept in cages at the sanctuary.

Haven Continued from page 1B

tions with her elementary students. The bird center’s education outreach coordinator, Jordan Budnik, went to visit the children to teach them about wild birds and what the center does to help them. To better demonstrate, she brought with her a merlin falcon that is a resident at the center. “The kids really loved it,” Budnik said. She’ll be working with the Reef Environmental Education Center’s summer camps throughout July to teach children there about birds. She said which bird

she will bring with her depends on its mood that day, though Nikki, the military macaw, is a likely candidate. It is Budnik’s personal bird and both Budnik and Nikki are new additions to the center. TripAdvisor lists the Tavernier-based bird center as the fifth most popular attraction in the Florida Keys and has awarded it with a certificate of excellence. Without pausing to observe each bird’s behavior, a walkthrough of the center will take about 20 minutes. Those wishing to linger should consider wearing mosquito repellant. The Laura Quinn Wild

Bird Sanctuary is located at 93600 Overseas Highway. Cash donations can be made in a secured box or through a donation station credit card kiosk. For more information, visit keepthemflying.org or find them on Facebook. [email protected]

ients of the Hemingway Look-Alike Society’s annual scholarships for Florida Keys students. Many aspiring “Ernests” attempt to prove their strength in Sloppy Joe’s final festival event, an annual arm-wrestling championship. Registration and a bloody mary gathering are set for 10 a.m. Sunday, July 23, with the contest following at 11 a.m. For more information, visit sloppyjoes.com.

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KEY WEST — More than 120 stocky, bearded men are to gather on the island Ernest Hemingway called home to emulate the author’s appearance and larger-than-life character during Sloppy Joe’s 37th annual Hemingway LookAlike Contest. Spectators can cheer for their favorite competitors during nightly rounds Thursday, July 20, through Saturday, July 22, at Sloppy Joe’s Bar. The 201 Duval St. saloon was a frequent hang-

Historical trolley tours ISLAMORADA — The Matecumbe Historical Trust will present the “29 Points of Interest” Historical Trolley Tours on Saturday, June 24, starting at the Islamorada Moose Lodge, 81573 Old Highway. The hourly tours begin at 10 a.m. Tickets, which may be purchased on site, are $15. Children ages 6 and under are admitted free. A staffed tent will provide information, ticket purchase, books, T-shirts, historic photographs and memorabilia for sale. For more information or reservations, contact Barbara Edgar at 305-393-0940.

Free library events KEY LARGO — The Key Largo Public Library is offering a wide range of free events for children ages 6 and up along with its regular summer reading program. Children need to be registered for the events which take place Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Children do not have to attend the events to participate in the reading program. They do need to pick up a reading log and keep track of their hours. Each time they turn in a completed log, they will win a prize. The library is located at Tradewinds Plaza, 101485 Overseas Highway. For more information, call 305-4512396.

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sports & recreation

SOUTH FLORIDA

MARATHON

Local boxer wins in Bolivia MARATHON — Armando Alvarez, who was born in Marathon at Fisherman’s Hospital and raised in Key West, remains undefeated in his boxing career after winning a recent fight in Beniana Del Boxeo in Trinidad, Bolivia. Alvarez holds the World Boxing Council Latino welterweight title with a 16-0 record. He successfully defended the title when he defeated Jonathan Ramirez with a third round knockout on May 28. Alvarez now lives in Homestead and trains full-time as a professional boxer. He is ranked 33rd in the world in the welterweight division at 147 pounds by the World Boxing Council. One of Alvarez’s teammates, super bantamCONTRIBUTED weight Alexei Collada, also won that night Armando Alvarez, left, celebrates with teammate Alexei in Bolivia with a knockout of Walter Rojas to Collado after winning his fight in Bolivia and remaining the World Boxing Council Latino welterweight champion. extend his record to 22-2.

CONTRIBUTED

Several players on coach Adam Keaton and coach Mike Dunn’s team were ready to show off their skills on the first night of Summer Soccer last week at Marathon Community Park. The program runs all summer at 6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Registration is still open for ages 4 to 10. Call the Marathon Parks and Recreation office for more information at 305-743-6598.

Lima did all he could to power Hurricanes BY J.W. COOKE Free Press Staff

UPPER KEYS — With the Coral Shores High School baseball team opening the 2017 campaign on a 10-0 streak, Jose Lima’s senior season seemed to be going better than he could have expected. Holding a 4-0 record through those first 10 games, the Hurricanes’ pitcher seemed to have his team on track to claim the South Florida Baseball Conference championship and potentially garner a spot in the 4A state tournament. Down the stretch of the season, Lima continued to do everything in his ability to help his squad pick up victories, finishing the season with a 7-2 record on the mound to go along with a Florida Keysbest 2.54 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 46 innings of work that included three shutout performances. At the plate Lima was just as dominant, batting a team-high .421 on the season (second best in the Keys) and picking up 24 hits and 21 RBIs, with five doubles and a triple, en route to becoming The Key West Citizen’s All-Monroe County Baseball Player of the Year. It would still not be enough as injuries, illnesses and internal team issues kept the Hurricanes from reaching Lima’s goal this season of winning the SFBC crown. “This season was good individ-

KATHY LANCASTER/Contributed

Jose Lima makes the tag on a Marathon High School base runner in this file photo. ually for me, but it wasn’t good as a team,” Lima said. “I had fun, but, in the end, the team chemistry just wasn’t there. I really wanted to win and get that conference championship, and losing like that just puts a dimmer on it.” After beginning the season on a 10-game win streak, Coral Shores’ first loss of the season came against District 8-4A rival and state-ranked Westminster Christian, and Lima said the wheels came off for the Hurricanes at that point of the season.

“We started pointing fingers and it just started piling on from there,” he said. “By the end of the season, we had Jake [Curry] injured, Aiden [Hawkins] was sick for the playoffs, other guys didn’t show up, and we were just outmanned.” Even though Lima was unable to drive his team to victory, his talent did not go unnoticed, in part because his mother set up a website for Lima and he drew attention from D-1 schools like Milwaukee and Alabama, where

he had an offer to red shirt as a walk-on freshman. “There was a scout [from Alabama] at one of the games his summer ball coach was at and they got to talking about Jose,” Coral Shores coach Jorge Bosque said. “It was also when he had a really, really good game, and at the end of the season, they offered him an opportunity to come out and walk on. So he has a lot going on.” Despite that opportunity in Alabama, Lima’s parents decided

it would be best if he remains in Florida for his college years. So instead, he had a showcase for Florida International University recently and another is planned later this summer at the University of Central Florida. If a scholarship arises from either of those workouts, then Lima said he will certainly attend the college. If not, he will be heading to Inspirational Baseball Academy in Tampa. “It’s a one-year thing to get you on the right path,” Lima said about the academy. “A lot of the kids that go there end up going to a D-1 school, and my dad really wants me to stay in Florida, so that’s what we are going to do. “I want something that is going to help me in the future,” he added. “I also want to go somewhere where I like the academics and it’s not all just focused on baseball. I have to like where I’m at.” All this, of course, is in hopes of accomplishing his ultimate dream of playing baseball professionally, a goal he could still reach — unlike his last one of winning a SFBC championship that he was unable to complete in his final season in the green and gold. “That’s my dream and I’m going to go hard every day and see if it’s possible,” Lima said. “I’m going to take baseball as far as I can go with it.” [email protected]

Four softball players from Keys tapped for All-State School softball teams, two players from each school were named to the 2017 FLORIDA KEYS — After Miracle Sports All-State stellar seasons for the Key Softball teams. West and Marathon High Lady Conchs’ shortstop

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Ashley Grimanelis was chosen as first team All-State for Class 5A, while teammate and The Key West Citizen’s All-Monroe Player of the Year Kendell Snow was picked for second team Class 5A. Marathon’s Becca Boucher and Cecily Ozbun were selected second team All-State for Class 3A. Last season, Marathon had two players named first team All-State. Dolphins coach Kevin Freeman said

it was an honor to add two more players to that list. Boucher, a junior during the season, took over the catching duties last year for the Lady Fins. This year she was behind the plate for Ozbun, an eighth-grader, who went 11-4 over the season. Boucher caught 23 of the 25 games the Lady Fins played. She struck out only three times and had a .412 batting average. Ozbun was the youngest player on the second team

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All-State squad. She led Marathon to a 20-win season with 11 victories and a 3.14 ERA in 73.2 innings pitched. She gave up just 58 hits and 43 walks with 84 Ks. She also batted .527 with 29 RBIs and struck out just nine times with five homers. “If you look back over the season both of those girls were an integral part of our success,” Freeman said. “We would not have been where we were if not for those two. What a great honor for them.” One of five infielders named for the first team, Grimanelis had an .872 fielding percentage on 78

chances, 48 putouts and six double plays. She had an on-base average of .479, with six strikeouts. Snow led the Lady Conchs to a 19-5 record going 11-4 with a 2.35 earned run average over 98.1 innings. “I think it has been a while since we had a girl named to the All-State team,” Key West coach Jason Garcia said. “It means a lot to our program to have two girls chosen and we’re looking for more. The girls need to put the work in over the summer to get bigger, faster, stronger to keep the tradition going.” [email protected]

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Florida Keys Free Press • June 21, 2017 •

s&r continued ISLAMORADA

7B

MARATHON School wins FHSAA award

CONTRIBUTED

The Fighting Manatees team of Islamorada, comprised of Jon Olsen, Eliza Colmes, Beth Kaminstein, Tom Strobel, Rob Dixon and Larry Herlth came in first place in their division in the June 10 Coast Guard-sanctioned Swim Around Key West. Another Fighting Manatees team, comprised of Travis Yednak, Mark Coleman, Tracy Holstein, Rosie Sanchez, Nelson Sanchez and Chris Wilson came in fourth in their division. Sarah Kirschner of Islamorada, who swam 12.5 miles solo, came in first in her division.

MARATHON — The Marathon High School athletic program has received the Fred E. Rozelle Sportsmanship award from the Florida High School Athletic Association. Marathon was chosen from all of the Florida high schools in the Class 4A division for its “dedication and commitment to sportsmanship” as evidenced by the behavior of its athletes, fans and administration. As part of the award, Marathon High School will receive $2,500 and a plaque to be displayed at the school.

Young Owen fishes on EP-2 for second time Fishing Columnist

O

wen Hritz, my buddy Mike Leonard’s grandson, came to town recently. Owen is a 15-year-old from Ohio. Last year, Owen came to visit and Mike and I took him offshore. He had a blast. We ran all the way out to the Marathon Hump. Owen was mesmerized just by the fact that we were so far offshore. I can tell how a person is going to handle an offshore trip when we first get too far from shore to see land. You can see it in their eyes. Either they are happily electrified by the thought of being out there in the “unknown” depths of Davey Jones’ Locker, or they are nervous and uncomfortable. Owen loved every minute of it. We fished the Hump and caught a mess of blackfins. When Mike and I wore down from fighting the always uncooperative tunas, we decided to keep Owen on the rod. “Hey, get that one, Owen,” Mike would yell. And then, “Hey Owen, get this one, too.” It’s always good to have a young guy on board. The older I get, the more I believe that. I’m surprised that I even said that out loud. So, this year, when Owen walked over to say hello after just arriving at his grandfather’s house, I had

KEYS

CONTRIBUTED

Owen Hritz, 15, of Ohio, caught this mahi-mahi with his grandfather aboard columnist C.J. Geotis’ boat. to smile. Owen had grown since I last saw him. In fact, Owen had really grown. He’s taller than me now and outweighs me by an easy 20 pounds. “I can’t believe how much you’ve grown,” I said. “I can see how big you are, but are you strong too?” Mike broke in and said, “He is very strong.” I smiled again. It’s good to have a young guy on board, but it is even better to have a young, strong guy on board, I thought to myself. “My goal for today is to wear you out, Owen,” I joked. “Go for it,” he replied. The next morning, we boarded the EP-2, pushed the remote boat-lift button and lowered the EP-2 into the tranquil canal behind the house. We headed for open water and started final preparations. Frozen baits were placed in water to defrost, the downrigger was attached to its base, the GPS trip calculator

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lines. “Mike, let me know when we get close to those birds,” I called out. “We’re close to those birds,” Mike yelled. With all four prearranged lines out, Owen and I returned to the helm, stood next to Mike and prepared to do battle. “Nice job helping to get those lines out, Owen.” I said. “No problem ... FISH ON!” Owen yelled out mid-sentence. “It’s about time, sorry it took so

long,” I spit out the “fake” apology. Owen jumped to the screeching reel. Mike slowed the boat and Owen started deftly lifting, dropping and reeling, lifting, dropping and reeling. “I see you didn’t forget how to do that,” I said. Rightfully ignoring me, he kept his concentration on the feisty, flailing fish. A pulsating electric-blue mahi broke the surface and headed skyward. Shards of glisten-

Come Visit Your Friends at the

ing saltwater littered the air and fell, pelting the top of the endless Atlantic Ocean. Owen drew the fish closer to the boat. Slowly and gently he prodded the reluctant quarry toward us. Mike and I looked for other mahi that might be following the hooked fish. We threw several pieces of cut bait behind the boat. We saw nothing. “Maybe See GEOTIS, page 9B

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was reset to zero, and the rods and reels for the first trolling spread were put in the appropriate rod holders. Now we had instant offshore fishing — just add water. Deep water. Deep saltwater. We navigated the no-wake zones. We were psyched to start fishing. We engaged in nervous chatter waiting until we could throttle up and head for open water. I love the sense of anticipation and urgency that fills the EP-2 in the early mornings as we head offshore. Owen’s eyes were glued to the water. The morning sun was losing its color and we felt its energizing heat working its way into our skin. We reached the outer marker, throttled up and I yelped, “I love this stuff!” This is the very early moment in all my fishing ventures when I first leave the restraints of land and work. My heart rate climbs and my mind becomes totally focused on only the task at hand — to find and capture our finned quarry. Mike and Owen share my passion for the ocean. They stood side by side, looking out through the windshield and dreaming about the events ahead. We stopped two or three times to examine pieces of floating debris that turned out not to hold any mahi-mahi or other large fish. The Marathon Hump was programmed into the GPS and when we got within about 4 miles of our destination, we saw two birds cartwheeling close to the ocean surface. “Battle stations,” I bellowed. Mike took the wheel. Owen and I started deploying trolling

BY C.J. GEOTIS

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Florida Keys Free Press • June 21, 2017 •

s&r continued

9B

CONTRIBUTED

The Islamorada Beer Co. boat led its anglers to victory in the fifth annual Ladies Dolphin Tournament. Rebecca Brito, right, landed a tournament-record-setting dolphin fish weighing 45.6 pounds. Overall, she and teammates Jen Brito of Tavernier, Stephanie Harper of Islamorada and Julia Lozano of Key Largo, cored a winning three-fish tally of 86.6 pounds.

Ladies dolphin event winners land tournament record ISLAMORADA — When the weigh scales closed at 5 p.m. Saturday, June 10, Islamorada Capt. Justin Matson, skippering the Islamorada Beer Co. boat, had led his anglers to victory in the fifth annual Ladies Dolphin Tournament. Rebecca Brito of Tavernier landed a tournament-record dolphin fish weighing 45.6 pounds.

Overall, she and teammates Jen Brito of Tavernier, Stephanie Harper of Islamorada and Julia Lozano of Key Largo, scored a winning three-fish tally of 86.6 pounds. First-place tiaras and trophies as well as $3,000 in cash were awarded. Rebecca Brito earned an additional $1,000 and a dolphin pendant custom crafted by a Keys

Caribsea’s Casey Spaulding and Conan Yates led anglers Jessica Ellis, Tracy McCandless and Lita Russo, all from Islamorada, to third place and $1,000 with fish weighing 21.4, 21.3 and 13 pounds for a total of 55.7 pounds. Twelve-year-old Peyton Zuloaga of Stuart caught an 18.5-pound fish to earn the junior angler title and her own tiara. Zuloaga fished

jeweler for her record dolphin. Team Bali Hai, captained by Islamorada’s Brooks Gregory, took second place and $1,500 for a combined 62.8 pounds of dolphin. Anglers Julie Landau of Tavernier and Amie Smith and Jennifer Alexander of Islamorada weighed in a large dolphin of 40 pounds plus a 12.8- and a 10-pounder.

crossword

aboard the Contagious with Capt. Brian Cone of Islamorada. Organizers reported that 83 anglers aboard 37 boats competed in the annual day of fishing that helps Florida Keys Elks Lodge charities. The tournament was headquartered at Florida Keys Elks Lodge 1872, mile marker 92.5 bayside.

KEY

Geotis Continued from page 7B

we should boat this fish right away,” Mike said. “That’ll be Owen’s first mahi-mahi of the day.” We all agreed that seemed like a good idea. Taking no

chances, we gaffed the fish and brought her onboard. The three of us whooped and hollered. We all man hugged and high-fived. The mahi was submerged in ice and we returned to fishing. We fished the area for a while and then turned back toward the Marathon

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horoscopes KEY

JUNE 21 – JUNE 28

ACROSS 1 “All ___ are off!” 5 First-rate 9 Coaster 13 ___ vera 14 Deadly snake 15 A fisherman may spin one 16 Table accessory 18 Brook 19 Armageddon 20 Beldam 21 Compunction 23 “The Open Window” writer 24 “My boy” 25 Computer artist 33 Abnormal respiratory sound 34 Casting need 35 “Much ___ About Nothing” 36 Auditory 37 Kid 39 Cornstarch brand 40 Top secret? 41 Grimace 42 Philosopher William of ___ 43 Not helpful 47 ___ grass

48 49 53 54 57 58 61 62 63 64 65 66

Camp beds Error Female sheep Marienbad, for one ... Plot Balcony section Buttinsky “B.C.” cartoonist Bow Spanish appetizer Also known as a levee

DOWN 1 Bottom 2 Brio 3 “I ___ you!” 4 Undertake, with “out” 5 Calamitous 6 Common deciduous tree 7 Dock 8 Under pressure 9 Undiluted 10 Den 11 Building additions 12 Drop 14 Uniform shade

17 Persian potentates 22 Churn 23 Particular, for short 25 Adult 26 4:1, e.g. 27 Adjust, in a way 28 Washer and ____ 29 Moray, e.g. 30 Slang for narcotics agent 31 First name in mystery 32 Spacious 37 State of being despised

38 QB’s cry 39 “Hamlet” has five 41 Alternative to a fence 42 Exterior 44 Baby 45 Summer cooler 46 Shady spot 49 Draw out 50 “Pumping ___” 51 ___ lily 52 Legal prefix 54 Cut down 55 Skate ____ 56 A chip, maybe 59 Bit of a draft 60 High degree

GEMINI – MAY 22/JUN 21 The last few weeks have been good for you, Gemini. Others have had the chance to see what you are capable of accomplishing, and your confidence and ego are soaring as a result. CANCER – JUN 22/JUL 22 Cancer, you may be called on to host family or friends and will have to arrange all of those details. Recognize your strengths and delegate what you can’t handle. LEO – JUL 23/AUG 23 Leo, if you have been hesitant about being in the spotlight, times are about to change. There are no more excuses this week. Dive head first into everything.

SAGITTARIUS – NOV 23/DEC 21 People around you may seem extra passionate about their beliefs this week, Sagittarius. But you can still take things lightly if those same fires are not stoked in you. CAPRICORN – DEC 22/JAN 20 This week you may pick up some skills you never thought possible, Capricorn. It may be computerrelated, or you may even begin to learn a foreign language. AQUARIUS – JAN 21/FEB 18 Aquarius, you may finally arrive at a destination only to discover you really didn’t want to go to this place after all. Sometimes, you learn through discovery.

VIRGO – AUG 24/SEPT 22 It’s time to pull your head out of the clouds and get back to business, Virgo. The real world is beckoning, so get your mind straight and return to form.

PISCES – FEB 19/MAR 20 Pisces, get outside and enjoy the fresh air as much as possible. The great outdoors can provide a welcome respite from the daily grind.

LIBRA – SEPT 23/OCT 23 Libra, when speaking with others, take a more serious tone than you are used to. You don’t want to come off as if this is just a big joke. Something important is happening.

ARIES – MAR 21/APR 20 You may find yourself easily annoyed this week, Aries. Surround yourself with positive people so you’re not pulled into the doldrums. You will snap out of this funk.

SCORPIO – OCT 24/NOV 22 Consider listening rather than gossiping about others, Scorpio. Sit back and enjoy the conversation as it unfolds around you. You might be surprised by what you hear.

TAURUS – APR 21/MAY 21 Taurus, when others call on you to police a situation, you might be stuck between doing the right thing and taking the side of a friend. Do your best to remain impartial.

Hump. All three of us expected the Hump to be a sure thing. Sadly, the only consistent thing about fishing is inconsistency. For only the second time in my life we could not locate a fish on the Hump. There were no birds, no surface-breaking tunas, no bent rods on neighboring boats. As we passed close by other boats we all shrugged our shoulders to each other. This is the universal language of fishermen meaning we are having no luck. After an hour of fruitless trolling over and around the Hump, I decided to head out deeper. I had been calling out, and showing Owen our depth on the GPS chart-plotter. His eyes sparkled as I called out steadily higher numbers. “OK, Owen,” I called out, “You have now been to 1,000 feet of water in the middle of the ocean.” He came to the helm and looked at the GPS. “Do you think you are the only person in your class that has been in 1,000 feet of water?” I asked. “Probably,” he answered. Surprisingly, we found no fish in the deeper water. We run-and-gunned 30 miles back to shore, stopping every now and then, but we still found no fish. We were all very happy that we boated the only hook-up of the day. We all had sameday mahi for dinner. I was very pleased that Owen had a great day. He is welcome on my boat anytime. He worked hard in the cockpit. He learned a lot and he gained new memories that will last his lifetime. And, bottom line, as usual, life is good in the Florida Keys; life is very good in the Florida Keys. C.J. Geotis is a life-long fisherman who followed his dream 15 years ago to live in the Florida Keys. His book, “Florida Keys Fish Stories,” is available at amazon.com. He lives in Marathon with his wife, Loretta, and her Coca-Cola collection. His email is [email protected].

10B • June 21, 2017 • Florida Keys Free Press

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Send résumé to [email protected]

512923

Experience Required. Paid per trip plus [PWZWYVÄ[ZOHYPUN ZHSLZJVTTPZZPVU

Immediate Openings for Customer Relations/Sales & Marketing Staff

512962

Come to work with a busy and exciting dive center here in the heart of the Dive Capital! Duties include checkingin guests, answering phones, taking reservations, invoicing, and equipment sales. Computer and scuba diving experience are required. This is a salaried position which includes profit sharing and sales commission. Send résumé to [email protected]

OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Only if you have a proven record as a positive, extremely reliable, self-starter capable of interacting with and supporting a wide range of individuals and diverse job requirements. Strong computer knowledge and competency required. Full Time Position. Please email resume to [email protected] Reference #1288 in email 503925

0220

Help Wanted Lower Keys

400 RENTALS 0220

Help Wanted Lower Keys

0220

305.852.1300

Help Wanted Lower Keys

0240

Help Wanted Upper Keys

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY UPPER KEYS RESTORE ASSISTANT MANAGER

Habitat is seeking an organized multi-tasker to work 36 hours a week as a ReStore Assistant Manager. Great hours, good pay, relaxed work environment. Some retail experience preferred.

503930

Excellent Benefits

503881

0220

Patch Man (Gelcoat Repair) & Boat Painters Needed

Apply in person MM 81.5, Islamorada or email resume to LALBURY@ CARIBEEBOATS.COM DFWP

503940

Line Cook AM & PM Apply In Person. Hungry Tarpon Restaurant MM77.5 Islamorada 503934

IMMEDIATE JOB OPENINGS! We are currently hiring for the following positions:

• Banquet On-Call Staff • Public Area Attendant • Bellman • Bartender • Steward/Dishwasher • Engineer • Sous Chef • Retail Attendant • Concierge

Email resumes to [email protected]. Applicants can also apply here:

https://recruiting.adp.com/srccar/public/RTI.home?d=Cheeca-External&c=1066841

For food and beverage positions, candidates with at least 1 year of fine dining experience will be considered competitive candidates. 503926

Part/Full Time 0417

Medical Assistant TELLERS, Full-time in Marathon & Key Largo TELLERS, Full and Part-time in Islamorada We are looking for experienced, friendly, outgoing applicants with excellent customer service skills to assist customers in handling transactions. Must be flexible and able to work Saturdays. Teller experience and/or excellent customer service skills required. To apply, please go to www.my100bank.com, then click Careers or contact [email protected] EEO/AA/M/F/Veteran/Disabled

• Room Attendant • Turndown Attendant • Sales Administrative Assistant • Director of eCommerce and Marketing Communications • Reservations Agent • Housekeeping Dispatch AM • Guest Services Operator

Help Wanted Lower Keys

600

AUTOS/ TRANSPORTATION

EXPERIENCE PAINTERS WANTED Must be able to lift and work with extension ladders up to 28 ft. No drugs or alcohol. Call 305-304-2930.

Call Jack at 305-453-0050 to pick up an application.

EXPERIENCED FORKLIFT DRIVER Full-time; benefits. Valid Driver’s License and Good Communication Skills Required Drug-Free Workplace Weekends and Holidays Required Pick up application at MM 90.8

500 REAL ESTATE

CIL OF THE KEYS and building materials minimum amount of person should have Accounting Position hardware and paint a prior related work with experience in Microsoft Must have knowledge plus. Position is fullMonroe County Office, specific of Quick Books Pro, time with competitive experience. Primary experience with Xcel. Must pass a level pay and benefits. function to repair, Microsoft Access will 5 background Please apply in maintain and perform be an advantage; have screening. Fax person at 30251 all tasks associated excellent organizations or email resume Overseas Hwy, Big with installing plumbing skills; be able to multi305-453-3488, Pine Key. EOE. facilities in all county Full-time Physical task; enjoy answering [email protected] buildings, including Therapist phone calls; entering Help Wanted Bradley Electronic Director of Physical data into a data base; 0230 Middle Keys Plumbing fixtures at the be available to assist at Therapy needed for LICENSE CAPTAIN Monroe County busy Key West scheduled meetings WANTED Stuck In The Wrong Detention Facility. May practice. throughout the Keys Part-time and fill in Job, At Last, Your be required to provide email or fax resume to when required. Search Is Over! Come off season, full-time disaster assistance [email protected] Successful candidates possible in season. Work For HDR/ICA during time of 305-296-2209. should be prepared to Must be fulltime As A Maintenance emergency in any take a typing test. resident in the Key Technician capacity deemed Journeyman Previous applicants Largo area. Call Due to the closing appropriate. Salary Plumbers and should not reapply. Captain Sterling of the Big Pine Road Experienced depends on Experienced Starting Salary 305-395-0033. Prison, HDR/ICA, an Veterinarian qualifications. Please Apprentice Needed commensurate with Asset Maintenance Technician/ contact John Lewinski Immediate experience and Company, now has Tech Assistant PART-TIME hr@monroecounty-flgov employment. includes excellent several exciting entry Part time, available Accounts Receivable or apply at Top wages and benefit package. level opportunities for Saturday's. Physical Position benefits! 305-296-6013 www.monroecounty-flgov Email resume to you to join our team work involved. Email Veterans preference $15.00 per hour or apply in person at [email protected]. working out of our resume to available, EOE. UPPER KEYS Serious 6409 2nd Terrace. No phone calls please. Marathon office [email protected] Inquiries Only maintaining the or stop in at 1456 Please email resume to Key West Hammocks Sales Associates Florida Department Kennedy Drive, [email protected] is looking for great Dion C-Stores is of Transportation’s Key West. Sales people. Hourly currently accepting assets throughout pay plus commission. SHELL WORLD applications for both As Mount Sinai the Florida Keys You should be Armored Car KEY LARGO full and part-time for all continues to grow, as a Maintenance motivated, proactive . Driver/Messenger Seeking engaging, shifts at our Key West so does our legacy of Technician. We are Will train the right Par-time Must possess dependable, locations and caring. We are looking looking for applicants person. Apply in or able to obtain "D" experienced person(s) for top talent to join our Islamorada. Applicants living in the Florida person before Noon at Security Guard & "G" to work with the team must be able to work Key West team. Keys from Key West 719 Duval St. Firearm License. For has Part and Full time, nights and weekends This facility has to Key Largo with more information. the Mile Marker 106 and have 1 - 2 year exciting openings for: experience in the Maintenance Position Call 305-797-2791. has Part-time previous retail. All *Practice Manager construction and/or Galleon Resort is hiring interested candidates landscaping trades and opportunities available, *Medical Assistant a maintenance tech. some weekend and can stop by any Dion’s clean driving records to *Registered Nurse Electricians and Experience in evening hours. or send resume to Qualified candidates fill these positions. Experienced plumbing, electrical Opportunities for [email protected] please send resume We are an Employee Helpers Wanted and A/C at least 5 advancement, great EOE/ DFW/ M/D/V. to: Owned Company Work available in Key years experience in benefits, competitive brenda.salazarreyes@ offering a competitive West, Marathon and these fields. Military salary and flexible The Pier House msmc.com salary starting at Tavernier. Call: welcome to apply. hours. Please stop by Is hiring smiling faces We offer a competitive $16/hr. based on 305-292-3369 Must be able to work and fill out application for the following benefits package. experience, medical, Start Immediately. weekends and evening or Fax resume to positions: Learn more at: dental and vision shifts (3) 1-9 and (2) 8305-451-9798. *Spa Receptionist www.msmc.com insurance, 401k with 4. Full benefit package *Engineer II employer matching, available. Please apply OFFICE ASSISTANT *Engineer I Yard Sales Upper paid holidays, sick in person at 617 Front (Full Time – 40 hours 0332 Keys *Painter II, leave, vacation and life Street. per week) *PT PM Line Cook insurance. All positions YARD SALE The Monroe County Temporary on call are full-time with a MONROE Sat. June 24th. Tourist Development Night Auditor (with Monday-Friday COUNTY BOCC 8-noon. Council (TDC) has an previous experience) workweek and Senior Plumber, No Early Birds! immediate opening for Please come to HR overtime/weekends Corrections Facilities Lots of Teak. Lots of a full-time Office located at 1 Duval St. as required. All tools Key West household goods Assistant to support the and complete an 98640 Overseas Hwy and equipment are High School Diploma Moving Sale. Administrative, Sales application. EOE provided. If you are MM98 • Oceanside or GED 5 to 7 years and Finance staff. This interested in working Furn. Condos Overseas Lumber for a worldwide 0416 Lower Keys Supply Is Now company that has a Accepting proven track record SMATHERS BEACH 512917 Applications For The and has been in 1 & 2 Bedroom fully Following Positions: business for over 100 furnished condos YARD WORKERS years with great on 8 acres of gated Join the AND DRIVERS. opportunities for seclusion, 2 pools & Keys Top Name Driver applicant must advancement tennis courts. All you have a valid Class B please apply at need are clothes and in Boating! CDL License. Applicant www.hdrinc.com/careers groceries. Available for must be able to select “Search for a 6 to 9 month leases. load/unload building Job”, and enter the Monthly rates range materials and work following job number: from $1,600 to $1,850. daily outside. This 144673. Please call Some Utilities included. position is full-time with Michelle Lee Gale Shepard, Broker competitive pay and 305-289-4360 or email 305-294-6069 Accepting benefits. [email protected] applications for RETAIL SALES HDR is an Equal KEY WEST REALTY Applicant must be Opportunity Employer the following: 2/2 Solana Village. dependable, have a and a Drug Free Large private yard & neat, clean appearance Workplace. EXPERIENCED hot tub. No pets. and be customer $2,400/mo. $4,800 service oriented. MARINA KEYSNEWS.COM security deposit. Experience in lumber FORKLIFT Pictures & more at KeyWestRealty.com OPERATOR 305-294-7368.

reason beyond the CHANGES cost of the ad itself. Once an ad has been placed only acceptCANCELLATIONS able minor changes All word ad rates are can be made to the placement fees and ad. non-refundable (for frequency days canHelp Wanted celed). Ads may be 0220 Lower Keys removed from publication with placement A-PLUS ROOFING fee remaining. Experience Roofers Wanted. Will train. Pay equal to experience level. Apply 8amFull time Noon Monday - Friday 5686 Maloney Ave. A/C Tech’s, 305-296-2568.

Installers, Helpers needed

300 MERCHANDISE

Centennial Bank is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, status as a protect veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.

510062

position available

Call Alex @ 305-529-9901

512967

Fulltime Housekeeper Se esta buscando una persona dinamica que nos pueda ayudar con la limpieza de las habitaciones del Hotel. La persona a aplicar debe poder subir y bajar escaleras, tener una comunicacion basica de ingles es de gran ayuda. Se ofrece un minimo de 40 horas semanales, con posibles beneficios de Retiro Privado (401K) y vacaciones pagas. Por favor los interesados deberan buscar y completer la solicitud de empleo en la recepcion del hotel Creekside Inn Islamorada, MM90.6 Old Hwy. 503935

Two Oceans Digital is seeking a Project Manager for our Tavernier Office. Ideal candidate is energetic, proficient in Microsoft Office, has exceptional organization and communication skills and is self-motivated. The Project Manager is responsible for managing multiple client accounts while adhering to strict campaign deadlines. This position is multi-faceted, with the ideal candidate being able to effectively manage their time while working on multiple projects in different stages. Core Responsibilities: • Collaborate and communicate with our team of Account Managers, Designers and Developers to ensure client expectations and deadlines are met. • Maintain relationships with our diverse client base through day to day communication via phone, email and other methods. • Additional duties include light office responsibilities. Additional Information: $15/hour plus benefits to start with growth opportunities. Our business hours are Monday through Friday, 9-5. Join our team and learn all about Internet marketing!

Send resumes to: [email protected]

Sunday, Monday, Tuesday

Furnished 2/2 MM87 $1,800/mo. Oceanside, pool, pier,laundry. No pets. 305-852-5337.

0428

Unfurnished Apts. Lower Keys

AT HOME IN KEY WEST, INC Yearly & Monthly Rentals Available AthomeKeyWest.com 305-296-6996

0432

Responsibilities include general office work, answering phones, and customer service, focused on calling out boat launches and confirming such launches are made. Good communications skills and proper phone etiquette a must. Should be computer literate. Knowledge of QuickBooks will be a real plus.

GENERAL MAINTENANCE

Pick up application at 90800 Overseas Hwy, Tavernier.

Condos Upper Keys

Mid-Flagler 1BR/1BA with AC, W/D, $1,800 mo. Incl. elec., water, sewer. F/L/S 305-304-2986.

PART-TIME OFFICE ASSISTANT

Daily maintenance of marina grounds. Knowledge of basic plumbing and electrical work a plus.

Unfurn. Condos Lower Keys

2BR/2BA NEWLY RENOVATED Salt Ponds Condo. Private cover parking, storage unit, W/D, D/W, pool, tennis courts. $2,200 month plus utilities, F/L/S, 1 or 2 year lease. Sorry no pets. 305-304-8947.

0420

Unfurnished Apts Upper Keys

MM95 1 Bedroom includes water and sewer. F/L/S $950 a month Call 305-731-0109.

0440 503932

0010

100 SERVICES

CANCELLATIONS All word rates are placement fees and non-refundable (for frequency days canceled). Ads may be removed from publication with placement fee remaining.

512951

000

ANNOUNCEMENTS

NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS In case of errors, please check your ad the first day it appears. In the event of an error, we are responsible for the first incorrect insertion of an ad. The Citizen does not assume responsibility for any reason beyond the cost of the ad itself.

Unfurn. Houses Lower Keys

3Br/2BA Big Pine W/D, A/C, fenced yard, includes appliances. $1,800 mo., F/L/S. 305-304-2986.

KEYSWIDE CLASSIFIED

Florida Keys Free Press • June 21, 2017 •

SERVICE DIRECTORY CONTRACTORS

REPAIRS Screen Repair Storm Shutters Rescreens New Screen Rooms Frame Repair Accordion Shutters Storm Panels, Etc

Tom Domiano President

aCell: 305.923.6338 Office: 305.853.2662

FREE ESTIMATES License # SP1993

BIG KAHUNA TIKI HUTS

CONTRACTORS

503929

Lic. no. ENG II 303C

HOME REPAIR 305-393-1807 LICENSED & INSURED ARCHITECTURAL WOODWORK

INTERIOR • EXTERIOR PLASTER • STUCCO CEMENT • BRICK & BLOCK STEEL & ALUMINUM FABRICATION SEAMLESS REPAIRS

Bob Eyster:

664-9243

503863

503825

New Docks • Dock Repair Pile Driving • Boat Lifts Bulk Heads • Basin Dredging Beach Restoration

JEFF’S COMPLETE

24-Hour Service Islamorada, FL 33036

503865

CLEANING SERVICES

SP-4180, SP-4183, SP-4187, SP-4185, SP-4181, SP-4182, SP-4184, SP-4186

MARINE SERVICES

NEW BUILDS TIKI BARS • RETHATCHING

SEWER CONNECTIONS MCF Construction, Inc

(305) 340-5007

Marine Repair & Rigging Dockside Service Waverunners & Jetboats

512937

FL Contractor Lic. CBC1259971 Insured • Seminole Exemption PalmHuts.com • Big Kahuna Tiki Huts

• Completed more Sewer Connections than any other company in the Keys • Serving the Keys over 30 years • Starts & finishes jobs faster than any other company • No other company has a better warranty

Henry Panse 305-852-4320 or Cell: 305-451-7850

LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED

LAWN CARE

COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES REQUIRING DEP PERMITS: MCF can provide complete design / build service including engineering, permitting, & installation.

Don’t Waste Your Warranty!

CHAGO LAWN MAINTENANCE SERVICE

786-351-0098 [email protected]

•Yamaha •Mercury •Minn Kota

Complete Maintenance

NOW ACCEPTING

Factory Authorized Service Appointments this week!

I like to keep my customers satisfied with my work!

503867

LICENSED & INSURED

503823

✔ CGC062399 ✔ CBC055266 ✔ CFC1428220

305.664.0064

81954 Overseas Highway• Islamorada

Call for a FREE Estimate FULLY INSURED No. 011A00003965

512802

305-394-2430

PEST CONTROL

G & S LANDSCAPING

www.tikihuts.com

503917

www.islamoradaboats.com

AUGER SERVICE • BOBCAT SERVICE • EXCAVATOR SERVICE BOULDERS • PEAROCK • SAND

FULL LAWN SERVICE • WEEKLY & BIWEEKLY Licensed & Insured • Residential & Commercial Locally Owned 503918

RIS DEBOVAL REM Gunter Bloy 305-664-1233

Bobcat Service Hurricane Shutters Remodeling New Construction

786-255-1820

Lic & Ins. CGC 1511836

View classifieds online anytime at keysnews.com

503864

Contractor # SP 4017

503862

“The Termite Professionals” Roberto (Bob) Lozano Manager 104615 Overseas Hwy #4 Key Largo, FL 33037 Key West: 305.294.8770 • Tavernier: 305.852.0099 Dade: 305.234.5122 • Key Largo: 305.451.1105 Fax: 305.451.1107 Email: [email protected] • Whitefly Control • Mosquito Control • Complete Pest Control Service • Lawn & Ornamental Care 512800

MAINTENANCE

PRINTING

Sunshine Home Service & Maintenance, Inc. *Doors *Cabinets *Custom Closets *Tile *Painting

*Shutters *Windows & Impacts *Decks & Docks *Pressure Cleaning *Framing & Forming

Commercial Printing On Quality Newsprint

Licensed & Insured SP2388 SP2397

Gary Lentz

SP2396 SP3001

Paul Donnelly

www.sunshinekeys.com • [email protected]

Cooke Communications

Phone/Fax (305)853-0511 Mobile 393-6758

[email protected] • 305-292-7777 Ext.216

503827

Call or go online to browse, buy or sell!

Tabloids • Booklets • Newsletters • Info Guides

PROMO

Recycle Your Stuff for Cash in the Classifieds KEYSWIDE CLASSIFIEDS KEYSNEWS.COM • 305.292.7777

Advertise Today! Call 305.292.7777 ext. 204 • [email protected] 512448

FLORIDA KEYS FREE PRESS • KEYSNEWS.COM • THE #1 WEEKLY IN THE KEYS!

11B

KEYSWIDE CLASSIFIED

12B • June 21, 2017 • Florida Keys Free Press 0440

Unfurn. Houses Lower Keys

0444

Unfurn. Houses Upper Keys

0534

Commercial Property

0534

Commercial Property

2/2, MM 103 Bayside Double lot, W/D. $1,700/mo. F/L/S. Call Kristen 305-451-4100

0451

Mobile Home/ RV Sites

RV LOTS FOR RENT MM 81.6 Bayside Islamorada Dock space available. 305-393-3377.

SELL YOUR BOAT KEYSWIDE CLASSIFIEDS

305.292.7777

MM 113 Daily • Weekly • Monthly Full Hookup

305.522.6598

512805

RV SITES FOR RENT

2 Story Bar & Restaurant Front & Simonton corner. 524 Front/Upstairs Lease office spaces from $650 to $5,750. Conch Harbor Retail Center 2 left! 1,200 & 115 sf All Major KW Shopping Centers 1,400 sf to 6,500 sf. Claude Gardner Jr 305-766-3133 Will Langley 305-394-9020 Keysrealestate.com #1 in KEY WEST Sold over $1 Billion

Keyswide Classifieds 305-292-7777

Please call 305.394.0411 for more information

Call today to place your ad! KEYSNEWS.COM

0662

DREAM home found!

Power Boats

30 ft Private Dive Boat 350 Crusader engine, 200 hrs. 6 tank racks, dive ladder, dive platform. electric anchor puller. Appointment only. $6500. Bad health must sell. 305-393-0234

SUNDAY REAL ESTATE

503913

Central Air, Tile, Dishwasher, Washer-Dryer, No Pets, No Smokers, 2 Adults Max, $1,250 month + utilities F/L/S

503880

2 Bed 2 Bath Clean Modern Upstairs Apt., MM 95

330 Julia St. Price now $2,650,000. Mix-use 2 res units & gallery space. 718-720 Caroline Historic seaport area retail shops. 1,281 sf & 1,331 sf. Profitable Duval St Business. Licensed to sell cigars, beer, wine, carryout food. Claude Gardner Jr 305-766-3133 Will Langley 305-394-9020 Keysrealestate.com #1 in KEY WEST Sold over $1 Billion

Advertise your House for Sale in the Keyswide Classifieds

305-292-7777

FIND WHAT you’re looking for.

KEYS WIDE CLASSIFIED