THE FLORIDA KEYS’ TOP-SELLING WEEKLY NEWSPAPER • 25 CENTS
Vol. 46 No. 35 KeysNet.com FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2013
OUR OCEANS ISLAMORADA Rescued Keys whale dies in Wastewater captivity two years later project cost could increase by millions Council member caught off guard by costs, delays
BY DAVID GOODHUE Reynolds Water Islamora- [email protected] da, the company chosen to A proposed change order build the pipeline system to could add millions more to Key Largo. Islamorada’s $91 million “Preliminary estimate for wastewater construction the actual vacuum collec- project, and it could take tion construction work... .is almost a year longer to com- $6,500,000,” which plete, according to a docu- includes low pressure ment obtained by The “credits.” Representatives Reporter. with Islamorada, Reynolds The Aug. 26 change order “term sheet” was written by Turn to Islamorada, 2A
Brant Gabriel of SeaWorld Orlando’s animal-rescue team helps Hundy acclimate to her surroundings shortly after arriving at SeaWorld Orlando in September 2011. The pilot whale, rescued during a mass stranding in the Florida Keys, died this week.. (SeaWorld Orlando photo) SeaWorld scientists say goodbye to ‘300’ officials as their permanent home. “We really appreciate the work BY KEVIN WADLOW to care for her. The SeaWorld team so many people put into the rescue [email protected] is feeling a loss right now.” and care of these two whales,” Sea- A pilot whale that barely sur- A younger pilot whale, Fredi, World’s Nick Gollattscheck said of vived a May 2011 stranding in the from the same mass stranding of the Keys efforts. “Volunteers spent Florida Keys died suddenly late 23 animals off Cudjoe Key is in hours and hours caring for them. Kapil Anand, a 24-year-old third-year medical student at the Monday, after two years of treat- good heath at SeaWorld. Fredi was We know they’ll feel this loss, University of Miami, discusses a patient with Dr. Sandy ment at SeaWorld Orlando. classified as unreleaseable since too.” Yankow in Yankow’s Good Health Clinic office. (Photo by Once known as “300” for the she was too young to have learned Hundy was about 12 feet in number assigned during initial res- oceanic survival skills before length and weighed more than David Goodhue) stranding. cue efforts, the adult female was 1,000 pounds during the rescue GIVING BACK renamed Hundy during her time at Both the whales were moved to effort. the marine park. the Marine Mammal Conservan- In an online statement at the “She was an amazing animal,” cy’s rehabilitation site in Key Marine Mammal Conservancy said Mike Boos, SeaWorld Orlan- Largo shortly after the stranding. website, a group spokesman said, Free health clinic do’s vice president of zoological They remained there until Septem- “Unfortunately, we know that loss operations. “All of us feel privi- ber 2011, when SeaWorld Orlando leged to have had the opportunity was designated by federal wildlife gladly serves the Turn to Hundy, 3A area’s needy IN THE COURTS But endowment or benefactor Judge dismisses case against crane operator would be appreciated pening,’ “ Wiseman said. “I didn’t BY DAVID GOODHUE Yankow, the clinic’s Deputy in 2010 died after [email protected] do anything wrong. Just the idea of founder, says finding a con- crashing into parked tractor-trailer such a frivolous lawsuit; that’s The Good Health Clinic sistent revenue stream or benefactor has so far eluded BY DAVID GOODHUE the road. what made people mad.” depends on grants and [email protected] Attorneys for Deputy Melissa Powers, who was 36, died a little donations so it can treat the clinic since it opened in 2004. A judge last week dismissed a Powers’ family argued her death after 10 p.m. June 22, 2010 when low-income, uninsured “We are looking for a case against a Key Largo crane may have been caused by the way her police cruiser veered off U.S. 1 patients in the Upper Keys benefactor or endowment, company owner being sued by the the truck was parked. The case was traveling northbound at 106 miles at no cost. but cannot find one,” family of a Monroe County Sher- originally filed in 2010. per hour and struck the 1985 The clinic, at mile marker Yankow said. “The bird iff’s Office deputy who died in Wiseman, owner of Buz Wise- Freightliner tractor-trailer parked 91.5 on the ocean side, this sanctuary has one, Habitat June 2010 after crashing her car man Crane Service at mile marker on the side of the highway in front year received $125,000 for Humanity has one. But into the company’s parked truck. 101.8, said this week he was of Wiseman’s business. from Baptist Health South we really don’t have one, Circuit Court Judge David relieved the case against him is She reportedly was looking for Florida, the faith-based and we deal with the health Audlin on Aug. 19 sided with finally over, and he wanted to her patrol supervisor, Sgt. Thomas non-profit hospital group. and needs of the uninsured. owner Buz Wiseman’s attorneys, thank the community for its sup- Kiffney, who switched his radio to Monroe County also funded We really have to scrape by who argued there is no case in port. a different frequency and turned the clinic with $60,000. to get some money.” Florida that establishes liability “I received great support from a off his cell phone that night while While this money is The Good Health Clinic against a property owner if some- lot of people in the community. I on duty. According to Sheriff’s greatly appreciated, how one crashes his or her car into an even got anonymous phone calls much will be donated varies year to year. Dr. Sandy object on the property after leaving saying ‘I can’t believe this is hap- Turn to Powers, 2A Turn to Good Health, 3A
LOCAL NEWS KEYS LIFE ON THE WATER 100% recycled newsprint DOLPHIN DEATHS THEM BONES DIVE TIME
Measles-like virus killing large Just who did find Students help restore numbers of dolphins up and Captain Housman’s Keys coral reefs, 1B down East Coast, 3A Grave, 1B
INDEX BRIEFS 7A, 2B, 5B | CLASSIFIEDS 7B | L’ATTITUDES 4B | MARKET CHART 8A | OPINION 9A | PUZZLES 7A | KEYSNET.COM 2A FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2013 KeysNet.com | The Reporter Hundy never fully recovered One case still pending from the 2011 stranding POWERS from 1A friend’s house. He turned way. But it was too late. onto U.S. 1 without seeing Powers passed him and HUNDY from 1A Office documents, Powers’ car fast lost control of her car. She [Hundy] received daily treatment and Kiffney was at his Key approaching. Florida Her family is also suing is often part of the rehabil- Largo business, Kiffney’s Highway Patrol investiga- Todd’s Garage in Key itation process. Most ani- therapy at SeaWorld “for a variety of Firearms, when Powers tors say Powers swerved West, which installed the mals that strand usually health issues that were likely associated was trying to reach him. to miss Briand, and that’s computer mount in Pow- have a myriad of health Security footage from his why she crashed. ers’ cruiser. Powers’ attor- issues and 300 was no with her stranding, most notably severe business showed Kiffney He pleaded no contest neys argued the laptop exception. However, she scoliosis,” a curvature of her spine. spent about 45 minutes in June 2011 to a third- mount should have been was a fighter and continu- there. degree felony charge of positioned further away ously proved her ability to Following an internal leaving the scene of an from the driver’s seat. The persevere. health issues that were “She had been doing investigation, Kiffney was accident, even though he mount jammed into the “Rehabilitation is likely associated with her very well and only showed suspended for two weeks did initially stop after he right side of Powers’ always an uphill battle but stranding, most notably signs of acute illness” for without pay as punish- saw Powers crash. His body, breaking her ribs this loss doesn’t mean we severe scoliosis,” a curva- two days before Monday’s ment for the incident. attorneys said he left only and puncturing her lungs. have lost the war,” the ture of her spine. In late death. Powers’ family sued because an off-duty EMT This caused lack of oxy- MMC said. “300 was an 2011, she was fitted with a “Hundy had a special Kiffney too, but he also and other witnesses were gen to the brain, which ambassador for her custom brace in a bid to spirit,” Boos said. received a favorable deci- already providing aid to killed the deputy. species and she left an straighten her curved Most of the 23 pilot sion last week. Audlin the fallen deputy. The case against Todd’s indelible impression on spine and help her swim. whales that stranded in the ruled that although FHP investigators also Garage is still pending. each volunteer, visitor, “Hundy had a special Lower Keys died on the Kiffney’s actions were issued Briand a citation After the Powers inci- for making an improper dent, the Sheriff’s Office and scientist that interact- spirit,” Boos said. “She scene. Two healthy males negligent, they were not surprised us many times right-hand turn. When he implemented a series of ed with her. Hopefully, we were taken back to sea “wanton and willful.” during her long rehabilita- turned from Michael policy changes aimed at are each able to use this after being fitted with David Horan, one of the tion...Through it all, she Powers’ family’s attor- Drive onto U.S. 1, Briand protecting officers and the knowledge to empower us tracking devices. They maintained a bright and neys, did not return a call turned his car immediate- public. Most notably, in conserving future gen- were swimming together erations of marine mam- enthusiastic attitude.” asking if an appeal was ly into the left lane. When deputies can no longer off Cuba when batteries mals.” The exact cause of planned. he saw Powers’ car in the exceed the posted speed on the tracking devices ran Hundy never fully Hundy’s death will not be The accident also had a rearview mirror driving limit without first receiv- recovered from the strand- known until test results out. lasting impact on Nicolas toward him, he put on his ing the OK from their ing. She received daily from a necropsy are ana- Five whales were taken Briand. He was 24 at the right turn signal and pre- patrol sergeants. treatment and therapy at lyzed. to the MMC but three did time and was leaving a pared to get out of her SeaWorld “for a variety of “Hundy’s death was not live long. Hundy’s sudden, considering her survival was uncertain, improvement over the last but eventually was several weeks,” a Sea- deemed healthy enough to World report says. “She join Fredi at SeaWorld Sewer change order costly had demonstrated remark- Orlando’s new rehabilita- able progress in her mobil- tion center, which is not ISLAMORADA from 1A It is also not clear who Trim’s chief business ity, activity level and open to the public. received the Reynolds’ development officer, did response to physical thera- Three pilot whales from and Wade Trim, the com- term sheet or who was not return a phone call py sessions over the past a 2012 stranding also are pany hired to oversee the informed of Wade Trim’s seeking comment on the few months. in care at SeaWorld Orlan- design and build phase of plans to change the types change order. Questions do with Fredi. the project, did not return of collection systems on to Reynolds about the messages asking to explain Upper and Lower Mate- change order were the change order. cumbe keys. referred to the village. The recommendation to Mayor Ken Philipson Neither Ed Koconis, go with vacuum systems said Thursday he did not Islamorada’s village man- rather than low-pressure know about the proposed ager, or Greg Tindle, the systems, as was originally changes or the costs and village’s wastewater pro- proposed, was made by time delays associated gram manager, returned Wade Trim. It was not with them until he was messages asking about apparent Thursday when asked by a reporter. the costs related to the Your Key to Comfort that recommendation was “I didn’t know anything proposed change order. made. The village has about it,” Philipson said. In addition, the paid the Michigan-based “This is the first I’ve Reynolds communiqué firm more than $4 million heard of it.” states that the company GONZALES since 2009. Tom Brzezinski, Wade will charge the village an Mary Dennis Gonzales additional $220,000 to September 8, 1944 – August review the feasibility of 24, 2013. installing vacuum collec- Mary was a loving wife, mother, sister, and friend. She tion systems on the island. was the second of six children The document also born to Benjamin and Margaret states that the vacuum Dennis in Garden City, New York. She attended Marymount systems would “likely College in New York and spent require an additional 270 her career in pharmaceutical days to be added to the regulatory and quality control. She and her husband Robert contract deadline of Dec. retired to Key Largo and 1 2015 (utility work) and enjoyed boating, reading, and visiting with family and friends. May 29, 2016 (paving) Mary is survived by her including related over- husband Robert Gonzales and head costs for the time son Robert J. Gonzales, both residing in Key Largo and her extension.” daughter Kathleen Gonzales Further, the Reynolds Goodbread and her husband document states that work Lawrence Goodbread of SALE ENDS 5PM SEPT. 2, 2013 Naples, Florida. cannot begin until “all A memorial service for family “ALL MUST GO!” property acquisition, per- and friends is scheduled for Thursday August 29 from ENTIRE STORE mitting and rezoning, has 5-9pm at Scarano Funeral Install a New Energy Efficient been completed by the Home in Pembroke Pines, Village for any required Florida. In lieu of flowers, the Central A/C System and 50% Off family would prefer donations LAST CHANCE TILL GRAND RE-OPENING! parcels or easements to where Mary enjoyed Indoor Air Quality Products! *All sales final and excludes previous purchases. related to the work, volunteering: Habitat for including all vacuum Humanity of the Upper Keys 82205 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, Fl 33036 and Friends of Key Largo s WWW:ERO$RESS#ODECOM sites, etc.” Library. P.O. Box 1321 Tavernier, FL If the property acquisi- SANTE tion causes the project to Ruth Iona (Tompkins) be delayed past a deadline Sante, 89, of Tavernier and that is not specified in the Miami, Fl., a beloved mother 305-852-2960 and grandmother passed away document, Reynolds says after a short illness on Friday www.houstonair.com it will have to charge the Aug 23 at Jackson South License #: CAC1815697 Community Hospital. village an “additional After raising 5 children, she overhead relief” of stayed in her southwest Miami CROSSWORD SOLUTION $15,000 per day. home then later moved to Tavernier where she enjoyed The document also the company of her children weighs in on the delays in and grandchildren. Ruth was a starting the Venetian member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy; Shores subdivision proj- she also enjoyed working on ect. Reynolds said earlier her family history. She married Richard Joseph this summer that it would Sante and later divorced. not start digging up the She is survived by her roads in the neighborhood children, Richard, Christopher, Suzanne, Paul and Andrea. until the resolution of an Also surviving are her ongoing lawsuit over grandchildren, David, Melissa, whether the streets there Danielle and Jake. The family held a private wake. are public or private She will be cremated and her But if the lawsuit is not ashes spread in the Atlantic. settled by Oct. 1, In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Marrvelous Reynolds will charge the Pet Rescues, P.O. Box 37600 village $15,000 a day. Key Largo, FL 33037 305-453-1315
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OUR OCEANS | BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN Deadly virus spreading down East Coast
BY DAVID GOODHUE be spread from animals to the late 1980’s, it did [email protected] humans. reach central Florida Dolphins in central and If history is an indica- along the coast,” Schaefer south Florida may have tor, the situation could get said. been exposed to a virus much worse for the dol- “We have published on blamed for this summer’s phins. Between 1987 and and continue to engage in massive dolphin die-off, the 1988, the virus killed research aimed at better worst since the late 1980s. more than 740 marine understanding the com- The 333 marine mammal mammals from New Jer- plex disease process of deaths that have occurred sey to Florida. this unique virus,” he so far this summer have all “During a previous epi- added. been in waters off New zootic of morbillivirus in York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Vir- ginia and North Carolina. Remedy’s Institute Of Healthcare Sciences But Adam Schaefer, a researcher with Florida HEATHCARE EDUCATION Atlantic University’s Har- IN THE KEYS bor Branch Oceanographic Institute, said he and his t1BUJFOU$BSF5FDIOJDJBOt1IMFCPUPNZ colleagues have seen evi- dence of exposure to the Bottlenose dolphins along the East Coast are increasingly t$FSUJGJFE/VSTJOH"TTJTUBOU morbillivirus among Indian contracting the deadly morbillivirus. (NOAA photo) River Lagoon bottlenose nator Teri Rowles said dur- found stranded south of Financing Available for Fall Classes dolphins. ing a conference call with Hatteras, but Rowles said Call 305-395-5282 or 850-371-4704 “It is possible that it could reporters this week that that tests for morbillavirus spread,” Schaefer said in an most of the dead dolphins came back negative. e-mail this week. “The situ- — 174 — were in Virginia. According to NOAA, 100-2 EL CAPITAN DRIVE C2 ation will certainly be mon- North Carolina had the sec- morbillivirus mostly infects itored and any cases we ond highest rate, with 42 dolphins’ lungs and brains. SOLD BY: uncover will be reported to strandings. That state aver- The virus typically spreads Keith Allen the National Marine Fish- ages 10 dolphin deaths a through inhalation of respi- eries.” year. Rowles said. ratory particles or through The National Oceanic and NOAA scientists tested direct contact between the Each Office is Individually Atmospheric Administra- four of the dead dolphins in animals. Owned and Operated tion’s Marine Mammal North Carolina, and all test Animals can also be Health and Stranding Pro- results came back “suspi- exposed through the eyes, We list and sell more properties gram has tested 33 of the cious positive” for morbil- mouth, stomach, skin in the Upper Keys! phone: 305-481-5544 dead dolphins for morbil- livirus, Rowles said. wounds and through the www.keithallen.c21schwartz.com [email protected] livirus, and 32 were posi- All of these deaths urogenital tract, NOAA tive. occurred north of Cape Hat- says in a fact sheet. NOAA strandings coordi- teras. One dead dolphin was The morbillivirus cannot
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