The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and community members joined forces earlier in the month to clean up an overgrown property in the center of Marathon. Sheriff’s Sgt. Dennis Coleman organized the cleanup of property at 6200 Overseas Highway in Marathon — the old Yardarm Motel. A large amount of brush and overgrowth was removed from the property, along with trash. Dot Palm Landscaping company donated a chipper truck to the project. More than 30 Sheriff’s Office employees volunteered their time, along with members of the community and Marathon Fire/Rescue.
Underneath all the overgrowth and brush, volunteers were amazed to find a beautiful Royal Poinciana tree, a reward for all the hard work. Recycled paint was used to cover a concrete structure used as a sign in the past. Later, artist Marianne Motches painted a sunrise on one side of the sign and a sunset on the other. Pictured are Capt. Chad Scibilia, left, John Harrison from Dot Palm, artist Marianne Motches and Sheriff Rick Ramsay.
