Thursday, September 13, 2012

MARATHON

Child abduction drill scheduled

The Monroe County Sheriff's Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) will conduct a mock Child Abduction Response drill on Tuesday in Marathon.

The drill helps the response team identify weaknesses and provides personnel with a sense of confidence and knowledge that will make an actual incident run more smoothly and efficiently. An estimated 91 percent of abducted children are killed within the first 24 hours, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The mock abduction drill Tuesday will ensure the agencies and staff know each other and what is expected of them when time is crucial.

Monroe County's Child Abduction Response Team was launched in 2007 and its members have been participating in ongoing training since then.

KEY WEST

Veterans Day parade seeks entries

Organizers of Key West's annual Veterans Day parade are looking for military units, veterans' groups and other patriotic organizations to march in the parade, which takes place at 4 p.m. Nov. 11 in Old Town Key West.

Personnel from U.S. Coast Guard Sector Key West are organizing the parade, which travels down Duval Street with a viewing stand at Fleming and Duval streets.

Everyone is welcome to come cheer on the marching units and pay tribute to service members past and present.

Organizations that want to march in the parade should call Sector Key West Command Master Chief Jeff Shumate at 305-295-1443 or 305-731-6173 or email jeff.shumate@uscg.mil or graciela.m.lujan@uscg.mil.

UPPER KEYS

Key Largo Bridge Run coming soon

Racers will enjoy a scenic foot race with panoramic views of the Upper Keys and the eastern Everglades at the fourth annual Key Largo Bridge Run on Nov. 10.

Nearly 900 runners are expected for the event that includes a 5K, 10K and half marathon.

The course crosses the 65-foot-high, 1.25-mile-long Jewfish Creek Bridge and portions of the 18-Mile Stretch.

The race is held in conjunction with a free-admission Health and Fitness Expo featuring osteoporosis screenings for women. The expo is set for noon to 6 p.m. Nov. 9 at the Key Largo Holiday Inn, Mile Marker 100.

Race entry fees are $35 for the 5K, $50 for the 10K and $70 for the half marathon through Nov. 4. For more information, visit www.keylargobridgerun.com.