Good Morning, Sunland
It's Monday! and we're back at it!
😂 Monday mood: This meme pretty much sums it up.
🗑️ Need to know: Holiday trash and recycling schedules are out. Make sure you know when your pickup days change over the holidays so you don't miss them!
💜 New Life Changing Information Resource Center became a monthly supporter! Thank you so much for the ongoing support! If you want to join People Pass, support here.
Alright, let's jump right in!
☁️ Weather Update: More clouds than sun.
☀️ Day: High of 69°F | More clouds than sun. 20% chance of rain.
🌙 Night: Low of 58°F | Partly cloudy skies. 23% chance of rain.
🌅 Sunrise: 7:03 AM | 🌇 Sunset: 5:29 PM
🌙 Moonrise: 3:13 AM | 🌚 Moonset: 2:19 PM
🎶 Sounds like: "Killing Me Softly with His Song" — Roberta Flack
Ja’Min Devon
📕 Sponsored: I got the guide, and so should you!
You can never plan too much. That’s why Yates Funeral Home is giving Sunland readers a free guide to help you make more thoughtful decisions for yourself or for loved ones. No pressure. Just helpful info.
🧃 Main Squeeze: Becker Road Emergency Room Denied
Port St. Lucie City Council voted 3-2 Monday night to deny Cleveland Clinic's proposal to add a freestanding emergency department to a planned medical office building on Becker Road.
What was proposed: A $60 million project with 100 new jobs, combining a medical office building with a 24/7 emergency room. The plan required changing the property's land use from Commercial Limited to Commercial General.
Why it failed: Council members cited concerns about 24/7 traffic flowing into residential neighborhoods, ambulance access on residential streets, and whether the facility fits the character of the area. The project sits at the southeast corner of Becker Road and SW Anthony F. Sansone Sr. Boulevard, with homes directly behind it.
The opposition: PSL resident, who lives directly behind the property, said it felt like a "bait and switch." "We were told Monday through Friday, 9 to 5. Now it's 24/7/365." Florida Coast Medical Center's CEO also showed up to oppose it, noting their hospital just opened 90 days ago only 1.3 miles away and is running at 20% capacity. Mayor Martin, who sits on Florida Coast's governing board, voted to deny the project but stated her decision wasn't connected to her board position.
The support: Cleveland Clinic brought 30+ employees to the meeting. They argued the facility would primarily handle urgent care (72% of visits), with minimal emergency use. A pastor with a church near the area testified it would benefit local families and seniors.
What's next: The companion rezoning item was immediately tabled indefinitely. Cleveland Clinic would need to reapply with a different approach.
🍊 Press Round: Spaces, Seconds & Goodbyes
💔 Vero Beach Loses State Championship in Heartbreaker
Vero Beach High School lost the state football championship 28-27 to Lake Mary after leading 27-21 with eight seconds left. The Rams tied the game on a Hail Mary lateral play, then kicked the extra point to win it, ending the Fighting Indians' historic season one point short of a title.
👉 Read more (Vero News)
🏠 Sanctuary Getting First Permanent Space in Port St. Lucie
The Sanctuary of the Treasure Coast, the nonprofit behind Treasure Coast Pride Fest, is moving into its first brick-and-mortar location at 904 S. Federal Highway in Port St. Lucie after mental health nonprofit RiteLife offered them free office space. The 8,600-square-foot building needs renovations including flooring, paint, and ceiling repairs, with volunteers scheduled to help Dec. 20 and the space expected to open by February.
👉 Read more (TCPalm, TCPalm subscription may be required)
🌤️ WPTV Meteorologist Steve Weagle Retires After 27 Years
WPTV Chief Meteorologist Steve Weagle signed off from his final broadcast Friday after 27 years at the station. Weagle, who guided viewers through a dozen major hurricanes, delayed his retirement four years because he felt he owed it to the community that supported him, with thousands telling him his voice got them through storms.
👉 Read more (WPTV)
🎉 Weekdayer: 6 Events To Check Out This Week
Monday - Friday!
Monday, Dec 15
💡 PSL in Lights at The Port – Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens transforms with holiday lights. Self-guided stroll from Event Lawn to the gardens with vendors, popcorn, food trucks on select nights. Free parking at Veterans Park at Rivergate, Tom Hooper Park, and post office on Veterans Memorial Parkway. Runs through Dec 31 at 2410 SE Westmoreland Blvd, Port St. Lucie. | 5–9 PM | Free | Details
Tuesday, Dec 16
🍽️ Fort Pierce Business Exchange Luncheon – Fort Pierce's ONLY Co-Ed Networking Luncheon! $14 cash, get 30-60 seconds to talk about your business at 608 S 5th St, Fort Pierce. | 12–1:30 PM | $14 cash | Details
Wednesday, Dec 17
🎪 2nd Annual Fairgrounds Festival of Lights – Drive-thru lights, REAL reindeer (including Rudolph!), petting zoo, Santa's Village, live animal nativity, photo ops at St. Lucie County Fairgrounds, 15601 W Midway Rd, Fort Pierce. Runs through Dec 28. Add-ons: camel rides, calf cuddles, pony rides ($10 each). Food trucks on site. | 6–9 PM | $10/person advance, $12 at gate | Details
Thursday, Dec 18
🎄 Christmas Movie Trivia Night – Test your knowledge of holiday classics! Team sign-ups 6:30 PM, games begin 7 PM at Hop Life Brewing Company, 679 NW Enterprise Dr, Port St Lucie. | 7–9 PM | Check pricing | Details
☕ Hot Cocoa Crawl – FREE EVENT! Start at Notions & Potions to collect your bag and checklist. Visit 8 downtown businesses to complete your cup of hot cocoa, then return for raffle ticket to win basket valued over $200! Drawing at 8:15 PM on Facebook Live. Must be 21+ to win. Stops include: Varsity Sport Shop, Lisa Jill Allison Art Gallery, Inner Voices Outer Vision, Notions & Potions, Madison Home Decor, 2nd St Art, Fort Pierce City Marina, The Harbor, I Am Activewear, Sailfish Brewing Co at 116 N 2nd St, Fort Pierce. | 5–8 PM | Free | Details
Friday, Dec 19
🎬 Friday Drive-In Movie Night National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation – Back by popular demand! Gates open 6 PM, movie starts 7 PM. Sound transmitted through FM radio 87.9. Concessions on site with popcorn, pizza, hot dogs, cold drinks, ice cream, candy at Treasure Coast Park and Watch, 601 Seaway Dr, Fort Pierce. | 7 PM | $19 plus tax per vehicle online, $19 cash at gate | Details
If you have an event, send it to me here
📌 The Last Drop: Teen Hangouts,
Park Upgrades, and Winter Break
🏞️ O.L. Peacock Park construction underway – PSL project includes shaded playground, paved walking trail, covered pavilions, on-street parking. Park at 1950 SW Dreyfuss Blvd closed during construction, complete mid-2026. Funded by $200k state grant. Park upgrades
🎉 PSL teen holiday hangout Dec. 20 – Ages 13-17 event at Minsky Gym (750 SW Darwin Blvd) features hot cocoa bar, holiday movie, snowball battle, photobooth, ornament decorating. 5-8pm Saturday, $10 entry. Holiday hangout
🛍️ St. Lucie swap meet Saturday Dec. 20 – Free admission 7am-2pm at John B. Park Sports Complex (1302 Virginia Ave). Vendor booths $20 pre-register, $30 day-of. Call 772-462-2110. Swap meet
🩺 St. Lucie West Centennial celebrates 100% CNA pass rate – All 30 Nursing Assisting students passed certification, now ready to work in community healthcare. Program led by CNN Coordinator Mrs. Ciufo. CNA success
📚 St. Lucie schools early dismissal Friday, then winter break – Dec. 19 early release day and end of 2nd quarter. Winter break Dec. 20-Jan. 4, students return Jan. 6. School calendar
📸 This is Sunland: ✌️ Road Run!
I had a great time (regardless of my serious pose here lol) at Heathcote's Garden of Lights Saturday. Prep yourself for a full review tomorrow. In the meantime, I appreciate every single person who reads this. Thank you. Alright...
See you tomorrow! With Love, Ja'Min
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