🌅 ✈️ A $48M road to the runway?

Good Morning, Sunland

It’s Friday! Just want to start by saying thank you. Thank you for being here, for supporting the work, for inviting me out to hear your stories. I love this stuff. I love local news. I love hearing what folks in St. Lucie County have going on.

So if you ever feel like there’s something I should see, something I should be at, something worth covering, please don’t hesitate. Hit my email. Tell me what’s happening. I’d love to pull up.

All right, let’s get into it.

🌡️ Weather Update
A sultry Friday with heat, haze, and a touch of thunder

☀️ Day: High of 91°F | 🌩️ Scattered afternoon thunderstorms possible
🌙 Night: Low of 74°F | 🌤️ Partly cloudy skies, warm and still.
🌅 Sunrise: 6:25 AM | 🌇 Sunset: 8:14 PM
🌔 Waxing Gibbous: Moonrise at 4:23 PM | Moonset at 3:12 AM
🎵 Sounds like: “No Ordinary Love” by Sade 🌫️🌩️

🏡 Main Squeeze
A New Road to the Runway?

🍋 The Main Squeeze: A New Road to the Runway?

📍 TL;DR: St. Lucie County is eyeing a direct road from I-95 to Treasure Coast International Airport to support future commercial flights and ease congestion on Indrio Road and Kings Highway. The leading option? A 2.1-mile route that would cost $48.5 million.

🚧 Why It Matters: With airline talks still in motion and FAA approval already secured, the county is preparing for growth at the airport. A direct I-95 link could boost mobility, unlock development, and support the airport’s long-term plans. (And give me easy access for my New York summer trips.)

📊 What’s Proposed:

• Nine possible road alignments were presented by consultants to the County Commission this week.

• The top pick: Alignment D, which would start south of Meadowood Golf & Tennis Club and connect to Kings Highway via St. Lucie Blvd.

• At 2.11 miles, it's one of the shortest and cheapest options ($48.5M), with minimal impact to wetlands (2.5 acres) and private property (34 acres).

🏠 Tradeoffs:

• Even Alignment D would require demolishing three homes — the most of any option.

• All nine options affect at least one residence.

• Officials say all impacted homeowners have long been in the loop.

🛫 What’s Next:

• The Commission accepted the report, but this isn’t a green light yet.

• Additional approvals and planning phases still lie ahead.

• Talks with airlines continue quietly behind the scenes.

💬 Commissioner Cathy Townsend: "We’re at the end right now. It’s very critical to make sure we have i’s dotted and t’s crossed."

📎 More Info: Read the full TCPalm article
❤️ Your turn: Let me know your thoughts here

🍊 Press Round
📰 Coastlines & Headlines

⚠️ Rabies Alert in St. Lucie County

A rabid raccoon was confirmed in Tradition near Fairgreen Crossings, prompting a 60-day rabies alert. If you’re near I-95 and Salvatierra Boulevard, stay alert. Don’t feed or approach wild animals, and report bites immediately.

👉 See Alert Boundaries

🏗 Causeway Cove Condos Stir Up Controversy

If Fort Pierce doesn’t count underwater land in the density formula, the number of condos at Causeway Cove could be cut in half. A Palm Beach developer wants to build 1,066 units, but over half the property is submerged. Former Mayor Bob Benton says he’s coming out of retirement to fight it.

👉 Full Story

🍽 Free Summer Meals for Kids

No ID needed, no questions asked. Children 18 and under can eat for free this summer across the Treasure Coast. Most sites are now open, serving breakfast and lunch at schools, gyms, and community centers. Just remember—kids have to stay on-site to eat, and sites close for federal holidays.

👉 Find a site near you

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 what’s unfolding here.

💡 Why it matters: Your support allows me to keep St. Lucie County informed and engaged through the daily Sunland News newsletter—and sets the stage for tackling bigger, in-depth reporting projects in the near future.

🎁 What’s in it for you: Exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes insights, and other perks as we grow (bookstore and otherwise) this community together.

👉 Check it out here!

🎉 The Top Events This Week

Friday, June 6

• 🎉 First Friday Art Walk featuring Laura Stoner & the Spanish Lakes Riverfront artists – Stroll through local art and meet Laura Stoner at Frazier Creek’s First Friday Art Walk | 5 PM - 9 PM | Free | Details

• 🎉 World Oceans Day at the St. Lucie County Aquarium – Celebrate World Oceans Day with marine wonders at the St Lucie County Aquarium | 10 AM – 3 PM | Free | Details

• 🎉 Friday Fest - June 2025 – Friday Fest in Marina Square this June | 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM | Free | Details

Saturday, June 7

• 🦞 Treasure Coast Seafood & Marine Wildlife Art Fest – Two-day bash with seafood, wildlife art, and kids zone at Causeway Cove Marina. | 9 AM – 5 PM | $5.58–$9.31 | Details

• 🎷 Jazz Night at Atmosphere (Vero Beach) – Emmy-winning jazz duo performs at a sleek lounge. | 6 PM | $15+ | Details

• 🎉 Prince Party at Pineapples (Melbourne) – Funk band The Locks and DJ SHARP throw a Prince-themed night. | 7:30 – 11 PM | $19.10 | Details

Sunday, June 8

• 🇯🇲 Caribbean Kickoff Party at PSL Green Markets – Reggae band, food vendors, and summer vibes. | 9 AM – 2 PM | Free | Details

• 🐟 Seafood Festival: Day 2 – Last day to catch the Treasure Coast Seafood Fest in Fort Pierce. | 9 AM – 5 PM | $5.58–$9.31 | Details

If you have an event, send it to me here
Want more events? Go here

📸 This is Sunland: ✌️ Before I go

If you made it this far, first of all, you’re an OG. But also, you’re clearly someone who actually reads this thing. So I’ve got a question just for you. How would you feel about a Sunland coffee table book?

It’s an idea I’ve played with before. Never quite came together. But between Jayquan’s photos and all the beautiful images we’ve captured around the city and the county, I keep thinking maybe it’s time. Something to flip through, leave on the table, spark conversation. Would you be into that?

I dropped a quick poll below. Let me know what you think. And as always, thank you for reading and sharing and supporting.

See You Monday!
With Love, Ja’Min

📖 Thanks For Reading: How was today’s newsletter?

👋 Thanks for reading! If you found it useful, consider sharing it with a friend.

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

🙋‍♂️ Did someone forward you this? Subscribe Below!