HEARTS HEAVY FOLLOWING COMMUNITY ICON’S PASSING

Written by Upper Keys Mortgage Syndicated User on September 13, 2021. Posted in Community, Community News, Monroe County News, Upper Keys Florida Mortgage, Upper Keys Mortgage.

A community grieved on the morning of Sept. 6, as news spread of Mike Forster’s passing following a battle with COVID-19. On Facebook, a flood of posts brought words of sadness over the loss of someone who embodied what it meant to be an active member within the community. Many also relayed thoughts of praise and thanks for Forster, 61, who constantly paid it forward and gave back. Forster was more than a passionate public official and a restaurant owner who boasted awards for some of the best breakfasts around. He supported students and first responders. He loved his pets and enjoyed a day...

GOOD TIMES! MARATHON HS FOOTBALL TEAM CELEBRATE FIRST WIN

Written by Upper Keys Mortgage Syndicated User on September 13, 2021. Posted in Community, Sports, Upper Keys Florida Mortgage, Upper Keys Mortgage.

By Clare Merryman The Marathon High School Varsity Fins got their first win of the season, against Pompano Beach, on Sept 3 by a score of 10-9. Patrick Crews had a 4th quarter 29-yard field goal that put the team ahead for good. “Overall, our team played extremely tough and gritty. We battled until the very end and came away with a huge victory,” said head coach Mac Childress. The post GOOD TIMES! MARATHON HS FOOTBALL TEAM CELEBRATE FIRST WIN appeared first on Florida Keys Weekly Newspapers. Florida Keys Weekly

KEY WEST CONDO GETS REPRIEVE — FOR NOW

Written by Upper Keys Mortgage Syndicated User on September 13, 2021. Posted in Breaking News, Community, Featured, Health, Key West, Key West News, News, Upper Keys Florida Mortgage, Upper Keys Mortgage.

A Key West condominium building received a temporary reprieve Monday morning. Raj Ramsingh, the city’s chief building official, did not condemn Santa Clara Condominiums, 3312 Northside Dr., during a 10 a.m. hearing at city hall. “I will not condemn the building, but this is still not off the table,” Ramsingh told the condo association board, unit owners and some of their tenants who were present. “I don’t want these necessary repairs to fall by the wayside as has occurred in the past,” Ramsingh said after hearing testimony from two engineers and condo association board president Oliver Kofoid. Key...

MOVING MARATHON AMERICAN LEGION CEREMONY HONORS VETS AND THE RECENTLY FALLEN

Written by Upper Keys Mortgage Syndicated User on September 13, 2021. Posted in Community, Community News, Upper Keys Florida Mortgage, Upper Keys Mortgage.

n Sept. 5, Marathon’s American Legion Post 154 honored all veterans and those killed in action in a ceremony that included a rifle salute, the playing of taps by a bugler and speeches by Monroe County Mayor Michelle Coldiron, Marathon Mayor Luis Gonzalez, veteran John Dick, veteran Jonathan Crane, Veteran Affairs director and veteran Cathy Crane, retired Army Colonel Abe Conn and a prayer led by Chaplain J.R. Jones. Attendees listened while holding American flags and gazing at a table that was set for a meal for 13. The place settings symbolized the service members recently killed in action...

Former state Rep. Raschein applies to fill Forster’s commission term

Written by Upper Keys Mortgage Syndicated User on September 13, 2021. Posted in Featured, Local Politics, Monroe County News, Upper Keys Florida Mortgage, Upper Keys Mortgage.

A community continues to grieve following the loss of Mike Forster from a weeks-long battle with COVID-19 just a week ago. His passing on the morning of Sept. 6 remains fresh and in the hearts of many, as social media posts remember his community spirit. As the healing continues, the process begins for Gov. Ron DeSantis’ to decide who will fill Forster’s county commission seat for the remainder of the term through November 2022. While a timetable for a decision remains unknown, those interested in serving can now apply. One of the people applying for the seat, which represents Key Largo and...

MARATHON FIRST RESPONDERS SPEAK OF PASSION FOR PROTECTING COMMUNITY

Written by Upper Keys Mortgage Syndicated User on September 13, 2021. Posted in Community, Community News, Upper Keys Florida Mortgage, Upper Keys Mortgage.

They’re the first ones on the scene of an accident on U.S. 1. They’re the first ones to arrive when things go wrong. On water and land, the Florida Keys’ first responders are at the top of their game when called upon to assist members of the public in a time of need. The job of a first responder can bring long hours and periods in the intense heat. They deal with people who are stressed or at their worst moment. A first responder’s job also carries the unknown over what kind of call will come in and when. This Saturday, Sept. 11, marks the 20th anniversary of the terrorist...

LONGTIME MONROE COUNTY JUDGE REFLECTS ON HER LEGACY

Written by Upper Keys Mortgage Syndicated User on September 13, 2021. Posted in Florida Keys News, Monroe County News, Upper Keys Florida Mortgage, Upper Keys Mortgage.

Judge Ruth Becker was elected to the Monroe County Court in 1990, then was re-elected without opposition until she retired on July 30. The Board of County commissioners saw fit to proclaim Aug. 18, 2021 Judge Ruth Becker Day. “The entire time, Her Honor was one of the best. I had nothing but the greatest of things to say about her,” said her longtime colleague, Marathon criminal defense attorney Bill Heffernan. “When I said goodbye, I’d been a lawyer for 50 years in January. I’ve been doing this for many years, in front of many judges. I can only tell you, Judge Becker was top shelf,...

SCHOOL MASK OPT-OUT IS UPHELD AFTER TENSE EXCHANGE ON BOARD

Written by Upper Keys Mortgage Syndicated User on September 13, 2021. Posted in coronavirus, covid-19, Education, Upper Keys Florida Mortgage, Upper Keys Mortgage.

On Sept. 7, the school board, district staff, health officials and the public sat together through another tense four-hour meeting. At least three hours were devoted to a discussion about masking children in the schools: Should the parental opt-out be changed to a full-on mask mandate with only a medical opt-out? Should the district go against Gov. Ron DeSantis’ recent executive order protecting a parent’s right to decide about masks? In the end, the school board upheld the same mask mandate with a parental opt-out, to be revisited in two weeks. However, the vote was four members for and one...

BEST OF MARATHON AWARDS: 46,000 VOTES AND COUNTING!

Written by Upper Keys Mortgage Syndicated User on September 13, 2021. Posted in Best of Marathon, Featured, Upper Keys Florida Mortgage, Upper Keys Mortgage.

2021 marks the 12th iteration of Middle Key’s people’s choice awards – The Best of Marathon. Since its inception by the Marathon Jaycees back in 2008, the event has grown up and is now one of the most anticipated events of the year where business leaders, elected officials and other supposed big shots gather to celebrate the Marathon community and have some fun while raising funds for the Marathon Rotary Club. This year’s incarnation takes on a special twist as the Florida Keys makes its way out of the global pandemic. “We are going al fresco,” declared Marathon Rotary...

DIVE REPORT: BABY BOULDERS BACK ON THE REEF

Written by Upper Keys Mortgage Syndicated User on September 13, 2021. Posted in Dive Report, Upper Keys Florida Mortgage, Upper Keys Mortgage.

This Week’s Dive Report Conditions this week were spectacular, with light winds and great viz. It wasn’t too hot, so the surface intervals were pleasant. And, as always, we had that magical Florida Keys turquoise blue water to admire. It was a beautiful way to officially end the summer season. This weekend was extra special because we planted boulder corals back to the reef for the first time ever. These are native to shallow tropical waters in places like Florida. In fact, the Florida Keys are known for their huge boulder corals, and the majority of them are succumbing to disease. It’s frightening...

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