Big catch Big targets Full moon Friday means big catch as Key West holds workshop on harbor mangrove snappers’ annual spawn dredging, cruise ships. 6A reaches full frenzy. 1B WWW.KEYSNET.COM WEDNESDAY,JULY 13,2011 VOLUME 58, NO. 56 ● 25 CENTS OUR SCHOOLS PLAY BALL $3.6 million shortfall in school budget leaves a $3.6 million shortfall. Revenue trends Big ticket reductions signal need for already made include: ● $2.78 million by cutting more cutting more than 40 teaching posi- tions and by reducing the By SEAN KINNEY school day from seven to six [email protected] periods. ● $1.5 million through a Even after cutting mil- state-mandated employee lions in its 2011-2012 operat- contribution to the Florida ing budget, the Monroe Retirement System; previ- County School District still ously the district was respon- faces a $3.6 million shortfall. sible for that payment. Superintendent Jesus Jara, ● $880,000 through reor- who took over for predeces- ganization of the district sor Joseph Burke a little office, including eliminating more than a week ago, is the executive director of facil- preparing for a July 21 budg- ities and executive director of et workshop set to begin at 10 student services position. a.m. at the Key West admin- ● More than $1 million by istrative building. eliminating media specialist, He told the Keynoter, guidance counselor and Keynoter Photo by KEVIN WADLOW despite all the cuts that have assistant principal positions. already been made, “There’s In the last fiscal year, which Upper Keys pitcher Nick Perez fires a strike toward home plate in a 25-3 win over Marathon. See Little League standings still a shortfall of $3.6 mil- ended June 30, the schools sys- in summer tourney starting on Page 1B. lion. We’re just bringing in tem spent $89.8 million. less revenue than expected.” Jara identified another pos- According to financial sible $1.4 million savings in SUMMERLAND KEY projections prepared by outsourcing to private compa- Chief Financial Officer nies custodial, grounds keep- Michael Kinneer, the district ing and maintenance services will take in $74.5 million in currently performed by dis- fiscal year 2012, which trict employees. began on July 1; compare At a June 28 meeting of the State closes Niles that to estimated expendi- Monroe County School tures totaling $82 million. Board, Jeff Barrow, Lower Once $3.8 million in trans- Keys assistant director of fers from the district capital facilities and construction, fund were brought into the told board members that nine operating budget, Kinneer vendors responded to a Channel pier said, revenues come up to request for proposals for cus- $78.4 million. When that rev- todial and maintenance work, enue is subtracted from $82 Safety cited million in expenses, that ● See Budget, 3A after bridge section collapse BIG PINE By KEVIN WADLOW Senior Staff Writer 100 mph brings [email protected] A portion of the original Niles Channel Bridge col- felony charge lapsed last week, forcing the state to close the century-old contacted her husband, who Lower Keys span to anglers Woman arrested said “he had the child and it and sightseers. after fleeing was safe.” The old Niles Channel Keynoter Photo by KAREN QUIST Holloway’s husband also Bridge is the latest of the old The Niles Channel historic bridge has been closed by the state, citing deteriorated cops in chase disclosed that his wife is on Overseas Railroad spans to conditions of the span used as a fishing pier. The old bridge is located at mile medication for bipolar disor- close after gaining fame as marker 26 between Ramrod and Summerland keys. By RYAN McCARTHY der. A deputy met with her recreational piers for hiking, [email protected] father after the arrest and “he bicycling and fishing. cantilever - the overhanging Reef Light Tackle owner Terry It’s a good bridge to fish.” was not in danger.” The state Department of portion of bridge - was discov- Thomas, whose Big Pine Key The old bridge was com- A Tarpon Springs woman Deputies first spotted Environmental Protection ered collapsed by a trail user shop counts bridge fishermen pleted in 1912 as part of was arrested early Monday Holloway around 2:43 a.m. announced the Niles Channel on July 5,” DEP spokeswoman among its customers. Henry Flagler’s Key West after leading Monroe County Monday, passing Knights closure Friday, “due to dete- Kristin Lock said Tuesday. “Quite a few people fish Extension of the Florida East Sheriff’s Office deputies on a Key in Marathon “well in rioration.” About a 10-foot section at off that bridge,” Thomas Coast Railway, better known high-speed chase across the excess of 100 mph” through “The deterioration was the bridge’s west end near said. “People already have Seven Mile Bridge and a 35 mph speed zone. determined when a section of Summerland Key fell, said asked me why it’s closing. ● See Niles, 2A through the Key Deer Refuge. According to the report, she According to a police continued on at that speed report, 39-year-old Katie while passing several large KEY WEST Schoneck Holloway was 18-wheel trucks on the Seven charged with misdemeanor Mile Bridge. reckless driving and felony The report says Holloway Thieves targeting women riding bicycles fleeing after going in excess then maintained a speed of baskets while out for a pedal. in need of medical treatment. car window to snatch a purse of 100 mph over a roughly 15- 95 mph as she fled police Police arrest Adrian Johnson, 37, and Thomas Hillman, 33, and from a bicyclist. mile stretch of U.S. 1 between through the Key Deer Refuge two in wheeled Chaz Oliver, 28, were arrest- his wife Cheryl, 40, were Police said that the mile markers 47 and 32. on Big Pine Key. ed after victims identified charged with four felony Hillman’s crime spree was After being detained, Holloway eventually purse snatchings them to police; each man is counts of robbery, multiple related to the husband’s Holloway told police she pulled over and surrendered charged with two felony felony counts of credit-card abuse of powerful opiate feared for the safety of her to police around mile marker By SEAN KINNEY counts of robbery. fraud, as well as cocaine- painkiller oxycodone. father, a Key Haven resident. 32. Her vehicle was towed [email protected] The grab ‘n go thefts are related charges. Although she didn’t have The report says, “she advised away and she was taken to similar to one that happened One of the reported thefts many details, police spokes- she just had a feeling he was the county jail in Marathon Key West police on in late June and led to the from June is similar in style woman Alyson Crean said that in danger.” for processing. Sunday arrested two men arrest of a husband and wife to Sunday’s incident, accord- “indicators that they (Johnson Police noticed an empty Holloway is being held at charged with purse snatchings crime team accused of a ing to police, where thieves and Oliver) might have been child’s car seat in the back of the Stock Island Detention that targeted women who car- series of strong-arm purse pull their vehicle close to a Holloway’s 2006 Acura and Center on $15,000 bond. ried purses in their bicycle snatchings that left victims bike rider then reach out the ● See Crime, 2A INDEX Printed on 100% Classifieds . .2B recycled Summer salon newsprint Promotions Living . .3B The Studios hosts members’ CONTENTS © 2011 Business . .5A KEYNOTER PUBLISHING CO. work at School superintendent Obituaries . .2A summer names new chief salon and operating officer, Opinion . .4A party. 3B reshuffles Sports/Outdoors . .1B administration. 3A Crossword . .5B 7786790 22222 2A Wednesday, July 13, 2011 KeysNet.com Keynoter NEWS BRIEFS MARATHON Healthy Start focuses on safe car seats Marathon man The Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition is offering faces multiple charges children’s car seat installation and inspection from 9 a.m. to The victim, Sarah leaving the residence. She 1 p.m. Saturday at Centennial Weekend dispute Fogarty, told deputies that said Stone tried to strangle Bank, 2514 N. Roosevelt involved hammer, Stone became enraged after her and made death threats Blvd., Key West. she received a telephone call while putting a pillow over The coalition urges parents razor, threats, Friday night. Fogarty and her face. Several other and caregivers to attend, say- Stone have been in a rela- belongings were smashed. ing that National Highway Keynoter Staff tionship for more than three At least one child was in Traffic Safety Administration years, she said. the home at the time, research shows that three out A domestic incident turned She told police that Stone deputies said. of four child safety seats are violent last weekend in slapped her, then smashed a When deputies arrived, used improperly. Marathon, leading to multiple coin jar and small porcelain Stone picked up a hammer New infant, convertible and felony charges against the sus- statute. Fogarty said both in a threatening manner, booster car seats will be avail- pect, according to the Monroe Stone and she fell to the Fogarty told deputies. able for Keys families. A $25 County Sheriff’s office. floor after slipping in spilled He agreed to lower the donation is requested per seat. Jonathan D. Stone, 25, liquid. hammer when she said she Contact 293-8424 or remained in Monroe County Stone later picked up a would tell the deputies to [email protected]. jail at press time Tuesday in razor and tried to cut him- leave, Fogarty said in her lieu of $55,000 bond on self, she alleged.