Good Morning, Sunland
It's Tuesday! and we're back at it! I was live on the Sunland News TikTok last night and somebody told me about a documentary on HBO called 12th and Delaware. It's set in Fort Pierce, but I had never heard of it. Has anybody else here heard of it or seen it? Reply to this email and let me know!
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Ja’Min Devon
📚 The Main Squeeze: Charter Schools Eye St. Lucie County Public Campuses Under New State Law
St. Lucie County Superintendent Jon Prince says charter schools have been asking to use district facilities, but he's not accepting just anyone into an A-rated district.
What's happening: A new Florida law allows certain charter schools to move into public school buildings with low enrollment, rent-free. The school district foots the bill for utilities, security, and transportation.
The local angle: At a recent town hall, Prince said charter operators have already approached St. Lucie County about using facilities, including Lincoln Park Academy. "We denied them," Prince said. "I don't anticipate the folks that sent the letter to us, School of Hope approved charter, because we're an A-rated district and I want to protect that culture."
Why it matters: The law expands Florida's "Schools of Hope" program, originally created in 2017 to place high-performing charters in communities with struggling traditional public schools. Now it allows charters to claim space in any school with capacity, regardless of performance.
The controversy: Prince called it "the most insane idea from a management standpoint and a safety standpoint for your kids." He cited concerns about emergency protocols, PA systems, and threat assessments when two separate school systems operate under one roof. "It's like a squatter," Prince said. "You've got an empty room. I'm moving in."
Local context: St. Lucie County just saw Creative Learning Lab close after receiving taxpayer money, showing even alternative education models can struggle. Now the district faces pressure to share space with outside charter operators.
The statewide trend: Charter operators have sent nearly 700 letters of intent to 22 school districts across Florida. In Miami-Dade County alone, three companies are seeking to share roughly 90 school campuses.
What Prince wants: "If I've got D and F schools, fine. Come and take them. But they need to pay something. Nobody can squat in my house. And there needs to be an eviction process if they're putting children at risk."
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🥳 What’s Happening: 8 Out of Town Events
Wednesday, Dec 17
📚 Beer & Book Fair – DAS Beer Garden and Wandering Words Bookstore team up for nostalgic, bookish, beer-filled magic! Live music from Cris & Alex. Find your next favorite read, "Blind Date with a Book" picks, stickers, bookmarks at 1203 Town Center Dr, Jupiter. | 6PM - PM | Details
Friday, Dec 19
🎄 Christmas Outdoor Market – Holiday magic at Olive Branch Outdoor Market! Local vendors, food trucks, live music, pony rides, face painting, Santa Meet & Greet + photos 5-6 PM at Jensen Beach Campus, 3750 NE Indian River Dr, Jensen Beach. Pets welcome, free parking. | 4–7 PM | Free to attend | Details
🎷 Saxy Fridays – Weekly live saxophone jazz performances at Sweet Desires Dessert Lounge. Doors open 6 PM, music starts 7 PM. Handcrafted cocktails and decadent desserts at 44 Royal Palm Pointe, Vero Beach. Reservations recommended. | 7–10 PM | Details
🌙 Family Night Hike – Guided adventure under the stars led by experienced naturalists at Riverbend Park, 8900 Indiantown Rd, Jupiter. Good walking shoes, water, flashlight, bug spray recommended. RSVP required at www.pbcnature.com. | $5/participant | Details
Sunday, Dec 21
🥁 Drum Circle – Celebrate the Winter Solstice! Hosted by Friends of Savannas Preserve State Park and Kevin Beatkeeper under the park pavilion. Bring your own chair and drum, or borrow an instrument. Pre-purchase tickets online or exact cash at entrance at 225 NE Jensen Beach Blvd, Jensen Beach. | 6–8 PM | $8/person (infants/toddlers free) | Details
🎨 Art in the Park – Fine Art & Crafts Exhibit by Vero Beach Art Club artists at Humiston Park on Ocean Drive, Vero Beach. Various Sundays through March. | 10 AM to 4 PM | Free | Details
🎄 Holiday Owl Nest Market – Last market before Christmas! Shop local gifts, sip holiday drinks, cozy Christmas vibes at Night Owl Coffee Bar, 1525 20th Street, Vero Beach. | 8 AM–2 PM | Free | Details
If you have an event, send it to me here
📚 Review: Heathcote Botanical Gardens Holiday Lights
Worth the Trip
The holiday light display at Heathcote Botanical Gardens in Fort Pierce delivers exactly what it promises: a walkable wonderland that's worth the $15 admission.
Pro tips: Come camera ready, especially if you're bringing kids for photo ops. The gardens have designated photo spots, but honestly, there are photo worthy moments around every turn. Use the bathroom before you arrive because facilities are limited inside. Parking can be a bit confusing, so arrive early (displays start at 6 PM).
The crowd factor: Yes, it gets busy, especially on weekends (Friday through Sunday, 5:30 to 9 PM). But that's a good sign. Locals clearly love it.
Bottom line: Even without kids, this is a solid date night or friend outing. The gardens transform beautifully under the lights, and at $15 a pop, it's reasonable for a Port St. Lucie area holiday activity. The food options are limited, but you're not here to eat. You're here to see your baby lit up like a Christmas tree and get some fire content.
💧 The Last Drop: Data Centers, Cruise Records, and Lagoon Concerns
🏭 Data center fights brewing across Florida – Communities pushing for say on where facilities built amid utility cost, environmental concerns. Pennsylvania, Virginia, Delaware, Georgia residents pursuing ordinances, moratoriums, lawsuits. Data centers
🚢 Port Canaveral edges Miami as busiest cruise port – 8.6M passengers vs Miami's 8.5M in fiscal 2025. Six terminals hosted world's largest Star of the Seas. Forecasting 9M in 2026. Port rankings
💧 Blue Origin wastewater plan sparks lagoon concerns – Draft permit allows 490,000 gallons daily into Indian River Lagoon from Merritt Island facility. Brevard requested hearing, petition has 5,000 signatures. Wastewater
🎓 Board of Governors scraps presidential approval rule – Removes chair's power to approve university president finalists before trustee votes. Incoming chair: "No chair should act unilaterally." Effective Jan. 1. BOG policy
🌸 "Florida snow" blooms during drought – Pusley weed with white, pink, purple flowers taking over brown lawns. Thrives in dry soil, Sept-Nov was Tampa's driest stretch on record. Drought blooms
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