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Tag: Marathon News

DR. KARISA FALDEN – THE NEWEST FACE AT BAPTIST HEALTH MEDICAL GROUP IN MARATHON

The newest face at Baptist Health Medical Group in Marathon is Dr. Karisa Falden, a family medicine practitioner. This is her first job, post-residency.  “I love being outside,” said Falden of her move to the Florida Keys, adding that it’s a huge change from Chicago where she spent the last eight years. The Florida native — she graduated from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and did her undergraduate studies at Florida International University — said the novelty of a northern winter wore off by year two.  Why family medicine? “I love … everything,” Falden said. “I had an interest...

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MURDER MYSTER DINNER THEATER COMES TO MARATHON

As of presstime, only tickets for the dinner theater matinee are available. But don’t worry, Marathon Community Theatre is bringing back the second round of mystery dinner theater in September.  The evenings of laughter, intrigue and good food are the brainchild of Charla Garrison, an MCT member, actress and author. She owned the Detective Dinner Theatre in Clearwater for 16 years. In 2018, she sold her business, and her husband sold his surf shop, and the couple relocated to the Florida Keys.  Garrison has written more than a dozen murder mystery comedy plans, and sold several to...

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MARATHON DEVELOPMENT: 21 NEW UNITS & NEW MARINE EDUCATION FACILITY APPROVED

On Aug. 16, the Marathon Planning Commission put its stamp of approval on two projects in Marathon — 21 new units on Coco Plum on Pescayo Avenue and a 24,000-square-foot marine educational facility at Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters. Both were granted conditional use permits.  The Pescayo Avenue project consists of three duplexes and 15 market rate homes for a total of 21 units. The development is located on the west side of Coco Plum Drive and is opposite the canal from Shelter Bay Marine boatyard.  The three affordable duplexes will be built nearer the intersection of Coco Plum...

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CITY OF MARATHON DISCUSSES BOAT RAMP LAUNCH FEES

A funny thing happened on the way to the boat ramp. As City of Marathon staff and volunteers approached the drivers lining up to launch at the Quay boat ramp to distribute educational materials the Saturday before lobster mini season, drivers were reaching for their wallets … at the free ramp. “They are used to paying elsewhere. They were coming up to us and asking how much,” said Councilman John Bartus, who volunteered at the ramp. “They had their billfolds out,” said Mayor Luis Gonzalez. The discussion item was placed on the Aug. 10 agenda of the Marathon City Council by Councilman Dan Zieg....

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Rain and winds from Tropical Storm Fred approach Keys this weekend

Expect heavy rains and some possible tropical storm-force winds in the Keys this weekend.  Tropical Storm Fred approached the Dominican Republic on Wednesday morning, as Keys officials gathered for a storm call via Zoom. Fred is expected to weaken to a tropical depression later today as the core passes through Hispaniola, said Jon Rizzo, warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service out of Key West. There’s uncertainty, however, over the storm’s organization after it emerges to the northwest of Haiti.  Rizzo expressed confidence that the storm will likely approach Florida...

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BRINGING HEALTHY HABITS TO MARATHON – NEW FITNESS COURT INSTALLATION SET FOR COMMUNITY PARK

By Anthony Guntert Don’t have enough time for the gym? Can’t afford it? The solution is coming, says Marathon parks director Anthony Paul Davis, in the form of the new Fitness Court from the National Fitness Campaign (NFC). This court has a similar function as the fitness trail at Oceanfront Park, but with a new design and style. While the final layout has yet to be determined, the court will most likely contain multi-step stations such as a core area, pull-up bars, an agility course and a multitude of other options to be used with a free smartphone app loaded with detailed workouts and exercise...

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MARATHON AIRPORT – WORLD-CLASS FACILITY WITH A SMALL-TOWN TOUCH

The day before lobster mini-season started, Marathon airport was seeing a small uptick in private jet traffic. The welcome area at the jet center’s “terminal” — located within a yellow plantation-style house hugged by palm trees — was a little busy. A passenger strolled into the reception area. “Would you like a beverage? Coffee?” asked the attendants at the front desk. The passenger paused, with a smile on his face. “You got any pies?” Welcome to Marathon International Airport — also known as Marathon Aviation. Though it’s becoming a busier transportation hub every day, it still retains that...

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Keys officials, business owners dealing with rising COVID cases

Increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases in the Keys have some stores and municipalities bringing back mask requirements. Some are issuing messages strongly encouraging their use, while others continue to operate normally since a local mask mandate was lifted in Monroe County.  Masks must be worn by staff and visitors frequenting city of Key West facilities. The decision was announced on Monday morning in an abundance of caution over the current COVID-19 surge in Florida and the Keys.  “We want to be sure that our staff and our citizens stay healthy,” City Manager Patti McLauchlin said in a statement....

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LEARNING LAWS DURING LOBSTER SEASON

Marine patrols from various law enforcement agencies conducted resource checks and safety inspections during a busy two-day lobster mini-season in the Florida Keys. With citations came education for those unfamiliar with the rules and regulations.  Monroe County Sheriff’s marine deputies in the Upper Keys, Nelson Sanchez and Marty Digrus, departed from the Plantation Yacht Harbor dock in Islamorada for patrol on Thursday morning for day two of lobster mini-season. Sanchez has spent 20 of his 26 years with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office working on the water. Digrus has spent the past eight...

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MARATHON’S TAX RATE GOING UP

On July 13, Marathon City Council set the preliminary tax rate and, for the first time in four years, proposed to raise the ad valorem taxes on homes. The tax rate is going to 2.77 mills. Previously, homeowners and property owners in Marathon paid $11.88 per $100,000 value of their homes and the new rate is proposed to be $29.88 per $100,000 of value. Owners of homesteaded properties will only see their tax rates raised by 3% or less. While the tax rate can be lowered at subsequent meetings to discuss the budget, it can not go higher. Meets are set for Sept. 9 at 5:05 p.m. and Sept. 14 at 5:05...

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