Good Morning, Sunland
It's Monday! I hope everyone has a good week! We've got a super informative newsletter ahead, so let's not waste any time. Let’s jump right in!
☀️ Weather Update: Intervals of clouds and sunshine.
☀️ Day: High of 79°F | Intervals of clouds and sunshine. 7% chance of rain.
🌙 Night: Low of 64°F | Clear skies with a few passing clouds. 6% chance of rain.
🌅 Sunrise: 6:33 AM | 🌇 Sunset: 5:36 PM
🌙 Moonrise: 4:11 PM | 🌚 Moonset: 4:18 AM
🎶 Sounds like: "Shook Ones, Pt. II" — Mobb Deep (Happy Birthday Prodigy)
Ja’Min Devon
📕 Sponsored: Lunch and Learn about Pre-Planning!
Yates Funeral Home is hosting a FREE Lunch & Learn on November 5th at 11:30 AM. Learn how pre-planning removes the burden from your family, locks in today's prices, and gives everyone peace of mind. Just helpful info and a free lunch.
⚽ Main Squeeze: Port St. Lucie Holds Final Vote Tuesday
on Professional Soccer Stadium
What's happening: Port St. Lucie holds final votes Tuesday on a professional soccer stadium at the newly named Walton & One project, with back-to-back meetings starting at 5:00 PM giving residents their last chance to weigh in before the deal becomes official.
Why it matters: This has been contentious. A Change.org petition opposing the stadium has circulated, with residents concerned about taxpayer costs and traffic on US-1. City leaders emphasize the money comes from CRA funds, not the general fund.
The controversy: At a recent public comment session, a resident raised concerns about a developer suing USL for fraud. The lawsuit involves Future Legends LLC owner Jeff Katofsky, who sued the United Soccer League in November 2024 alleging fraud and claiming USL failed to pay his Colorado Hailstorm team $100,000 in prize money. USL subsequently terminated the Hailstorm's franchise agreement.
The city provided a statement clarifying that "the resident's claim of a developer suing USL is not the developer associated with the Port St. Lucie stadium project."
A councilman explained his yes vote and addressed why negotiations were kept confidential during the process.
How it works: The Community Redevelopment Agency meets at 5:00 PM, followed immediately by City Council at 5:15 PM. Both bodies must approve the agreements for the deal to move forward.
What they're voting on:
Development and Funding Agreement (how the stadium gets built)
Stadium Operating Agreement (the 50-year deal for how it runs)
Non-Relocation Agreement (keeps the team in Port St. Lucie)
Quick reminder on the deal:
$80 million stadium cost
City reimburses up to $27.5 million over 20 years from CRA funds
120% performance bond protects the city if construction fails
24 guaranteed city event days per year
Target opening: 2027 for USL League One team
The stakes: This is the second and final reading. October 20th was preliminary approval. If both bodies approve Tuesday, Mayor Shannon Martin can sign the agreements and construction can begin.
Public input: Residents can speak during the public hearing at the 5:15 PM City Council meeting. Fill out a green participation card to speak on the agenda items.
What happens next: If approved, Ebenezer Stadium Construction begins work on the 6,000-seat stadium with a 2027 opening target.
Where: City Hall Council Chambers, 121 SW Port St. Lucie Blvd. Full meeting agenda here.
🍊 Press Round: Profits, Pathways & Appointments
🏥 Cleveland Clinic Eyes Break-Even by December
Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital expects to cut its 2024 losses of $48 million in half this year and reach break-even status by December after three years of losses totaling $175 million. The turnaround comes from adding more specialist doctors, becoming the county's largest employer with 2,500+ workers, and completing $30 million in facility improvements including a new cardiac catheterization lab.
🚧 Fort Pierce Launches $10M Waterfront Makeover
Fort Pierce breaks ground Nov. 6 on a $10.25 million overhaul of Indian River Drive that will add 10-foot waterfront sidewalks, on-street parking, and a rebuilt Morris Creek Bridge. The project transforms the downtown corridor from Seaway Drive to Avenue A with completion expected in early 2027.
👥 Gov Names Four to Martin Children's Council
florida Governor appointed Doug Mustapick (Freedom Code Compliance), Darlene VanRiper (Martin County Taxpayers Association), Thomas Whittington (Manatee Pocket Yacht Sales), and reappointed Susan Kinane (Kinane Printing) to the Children's Services Council of Martin County.
🎉 Weekdayer: 7 Events Happening Monday - Friday
Monday, Nov 3
💃 Afroletics Dance Fitness – Dynamic Afro dance workout blending fitness and original music inspired by South Africa, Angola, Ghana, and Nigeria at We've Got H.E.A.R.T. Studios in Fort Pierce. | 6:30 PM | From $12.51 | Details
Tuesday, Nov 4
🤝 Marketing With a Mission – Network lunch supporting The Hands and Feet nonprofit at Mission Kitchen Cafe. | Check time (1 hr 15 min) | $20 | Details
Wednesday, Nov 5
🍽️ Free Lunch & Learn at Yates Funeral Home – Complimentary lunch and planning guide for end-of-life preparation. RSVP required, seating limited. | 11:30 AM | Free | Details
Thursday, Nov 6
🍷 Wine Flight Thursdays – Chill night of sips, vibes, and good times at Bluebird Bistro & Wine Bar in Fort Pierce. Every Thursday. | Check time (2 hrs) | Check pricing | Details
🕯️ Candle Making Class – Fall & Winter Edition – Create two handcrafted candles at Artisan Market with The Candle Bar Cafe. | Check time (2 hrs) | Check pricing | Details
Friday, Nov 7
🎶 Food Trucks & Tributes: Start Me Up! – Rolling Stones tribute band with food trucks at Tradition Square. Free concert. | Trucks 5 PM, concert 6 PM | Free | Details
🎉 Friday Fest – Food, live music, and family fun at Marina Square in Fort Pierce. | Check time (3 hrs) | Free | Details
☕ Breakfast & Networking – 1st and 3rd Friday networking at The Junction Cafe. | Check time (1 hr 30 min) | $10 | Details
If you have an event, send it to me here
💧 The Last Drop: Rent Relief, Road Work, and Rising Costs
🏘️ PSL senior rent assistance reopens November 17th – Federally funded program provides 12+ months rental aid for residents 62+ who meet income guidelines. Applications available Nov 10-16, first 25 processed. Program details
🚧 Indian River Drive groundbreaking November 6th – Fort Pierce celebrates $10.25M corridor project with roadway improvements, parking, bridge upgrades at Veterans Memorial Park. 9-10:30am ceremony. Project info
🏛️ Old St. Anastasia survey still open – Fort Pierce Redevelopment Agency continues seeking public input on historic building's master plan. Community ideas will shape future use of site. Take survey
📸 This is Sunland: ✌️ Sun Rise!
So, we're gearing up to release a bit of a Sunland Book! More details are to come, but I've taken so many photos over the past year and change that not every photo can make it in. Still, briefly at the end of each newsletter, I wanted to do a bit of storytelling around each image.
This photo started as a plan that later became an afterthought. I used to take a photo with my camera every single morning after finishing the newsletter. I would travel to my studio off of Selvitz Road at 4 AM every single morning (this really hasn't changed) and write what was, at the time, a really bad newsletter. It's gotten slightly better since then, but that time period was especially crucial for Sunland. "Just keep on keeping on" is what I told myself, and this sunrise image is a reminder that it was definitely worth it. Feeling like I had beat the day, beat the sun... You know?
See you tomorrow!
With Love, Ja’Min
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