Good Morning, Sunland

Itโ€™s Wednesday! Glad to have you here! This is your once-a-week reminder to share the newsletter. If youโ€™ve been enjoying it, tell a friend. Word of mouth is still the best way to grow Sunland News, and people trust the people already reading it.

Just one person. Someone you think would find it useful or valuable. Thatโ€™s all I ask.
๐Ÿ”— Donโ€™t forget to use your referral link. Alrightโ€ฆ

๐ŸŒก๏ธ Weather Update: Cool breeze today!

โ˜€๏ธ Day: High of 81ยฐF | ๐ŸŒค๏ธ Partly cloudy with N winds at 10โ€“20 mph.
๐ŸŒ™ Night: Low of 61ยฐF | ๐ŸŒ™ Clear skies and light NE winds at 5โ€“10 mph.
๐ŸŒ… Sunrise: 6:55 AM | ๐ŸŒ‡ Sunset: 7:47 PM
๐ŸŽต Sounds like: โ€œRibbon in the Skyโ€ by Stevie Wonder ๐ŸŒŒ๐ŸŽถ

Jaโ€™Min Devon

๐Ÿ‹ The Main Squeeze: Big Plans at the Childrenโ€™s Museum

The Childrenโ€™s Museum of the Treasure Coast is thinking big. Like, $25 million big.

Theyโ€™re planning a major expansion that would bring a science center and planetarium to Jensen Beach by 2028. And if the sketches are any indication, this is not just a small upgrade โ€” itโ€™s a whole new experience.

๐Ÿ’ก The vision: A new 16,000 square foot building with 12,000 square feet of exhibit space. The science center will focus on middle and high school students, while the planetarium will be open to all ages. The museum hopes it can double as a community space too, with a stage for presentations and local events.

๐Ÿ’ฐ The breakdown:

  • $10 million for construction

  • $5 million for permanent exhibits

  • $5 million for rotating exhibits

  • $5 million to create an endowment for operations and upkeep

๐ŸšŒ How theyโ€™re building buzz: A $40,000 โ€œSTEAM On the Goโ€ van is already visiting schools to drum up excitement and get feedback from students. Theyโ€™ve also got an inflatable planetarium making its rounds โ€” all in hopes of turning this idea into something real.

๐Ÿ‘€ Why it matters: This could become one of the biggest science-based destinations for young people in our region. Right now, thereโ€™s some but not much in the way of hands-on, interactive STEM learning for teens between West Palm and Vero. If successful, this fills a real gap.

๐ŸŠ Press Round: Sound, Sightings & Sadness

๐Ÿ“ข Stuart Keeps the Music Playing

After pushback from musicians and locals, Stuart wonโ€™t be changing its noise ordinance for now. The arts district lives to play another day.

๐ŸฆŠ Coyotes Spotted in Port St. Lucie

Residents around Airoso and Crosstown are sounding the alarm. Coyotes are showing up more often. FWC says theyโ€™re everywhere in Florida.

๐Ÿ›ฅ Search Called Off After Boat Capsizes

Heartbreaking update: The Coast Guard has suspended its search for five missing people after a boat capsized off St. Lucie Inlet.

Join the Mission and support Sunland News and help fuel the goal of delivering smarter, faster very, very local news that keeps you informed on whatโ€™s unfolding here.

๐Ÿ’ก Why it matters: Your support allows me to keep St. Lucie County informed and engaged through the daily Sunland News newsletterโ€”and sets the stage for tackling bigger, in-depth reporting projects in the near future.

๐ŸŽ Whatโ€™s in it for you: Exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes insights, and other perks as we grow (bookstore and otherwise) this community together.

๐ŸŽ‰ Weekender
Your Frid, Sat Gameplan

Friday, April 18

๐Ÿฐ Easter Bunny Breakfast โ€“ French toast, goodies, and a photo with the Easter Bunny for kids ages 2โ€“6. | 9:30 AM โ€“ 11 AM | $5 per person | Community Center, PSL Register here

Saturday, April 19

๐Ÿฅš Eggstravaganza at Whispering Pines โ€“ 60,000 eggs across five fields, plus bunny photo ops. Ages 11 and under. | 9 AM | Free | Whispering Pines Park, PSL Details

๐ŸŽ‰ Easter Festival โ€“ Vero Beach โ€“ Outdoor Easter celebration hosted by The Community Church of Vero Beach. | 10 AM โ€“ 12 PM | Free | 1901 23rd St, Vero Beach Details

๐ŸŽถ FORT20 Fest 2025 Downtown โ€“ 420 celebration with live music, vendors, DJs, and community vibes. | 3 PM โ€“ Midnight | Freeโ€“$30 | Downtown Fort Pierce Event Page

๐Ÿ›๏ธ Peacock Arts Market โ€“ Monthly market in the Peacock Arts District with local creators. | 8 AM โ€“ 3 PM | Free | 1115 Delaware Ave, Fort Pierce Details

๐Ÿฃ Easter on the Farm โ€“ Egg hunt, Easter Bunny, and more at Eastside Acres Ranch. | 10:30 AM โ€“ 1:30 PM | $50+ | 6740 Ideal Holding Rd, PSL Book Now

๐ŸŽŠ Easter Eggstravaganza โ€“ Central Baptist โ€“ Egg hunts, bounce houses, games, prizes, and food. Open to all. | 10 AM โ€“ 12 PM | Free | 202 SW Tulip Blvd, PSL Event Link

๐Ÿค Business Impact Group (B.I.G.) โ€“ Entrepreneurs networking over brunch. Hosted by RUFS Foundation. | 10 AM โ€“ 12 PM | Up to $20 | Best Western, PSL Register

๐Ÿ—“๏ธ Want more local events?

Check out the full, ever-growing list at events.sunland.news โ€“ your go-to for everything happening in and around St. Lucie County. If you have an event, send it to me here

๐Ÿ’ง The Last Drop
3 Headlines for the Road!

  1. ๐Ÿ  Free First-Time Homebuyer Workshop โ€“ April 17

    Learn about credit, budgeting & more at River Walk Center.

  2. ๐Ÿ‘Ÿ More Than a Game still going strong

    Community-led basketball & mentorship continues weekly in Fort Pierce.

  3. ๐Ÿ“ˆ Mapped: Average tax refunds

    Florida led the U.S. with $3.9K refunds last year.

๐Ÿ“ธ This is Sunland

Photo by Jโ€™Qwan

See you tomorrow!
With Love, Jaโ€™Min

๐Ÿ“– Thanks For Reading: How was todayโ€™s newsletter?

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๐Ÿ“ฑ Keep up with the Sunland News: Send comments & suggestions to [email protected] Follow us on, Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube

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