Good Morning, Sunland
It’s Wednesday! Thank you all for being here!. Let's jump right in.
Alright…
🌡️ Weather Update: Hot, stormy, and full of attitude.
🌦️ Day: High of 86°F | Scattered thunderstorms and thick humidity
🌙 Night: Low of 73°F | Staying cloudy and sticky. Winds SSW at 10–15 mph.
🌅 Sunrise: 6:30 AM | 🌇 Sunset: 8:20 PM
🌗 Moon: First Quarter | 🌔 Moonrise: 1:23 PM | 🌘 Moonset: 12:45 AM
🎶 Sounds like: “Are You That Somebody” Aaliyah
Ja’Min Devon
📘 Refill: A New Name for Chester A. Moore
Big change coming to one of Fort Pierce’s legacy schools. Chester A. Moore Elementary is set to become a K8, and with that comes a new name.
The superintendent is recommending they go with Chester A. Moore K8 Academy of Success starting next school year.
💬 Why it matters: Chester A. Moore has been a cornerstone on Avenue Q for decades. As it grows into a full K8, the district is trying to match that with a name that speaks to its future.
📍 What to know:
The school will welcome its first 7th grade class in 2025–2026.
A committee submitted six names after a survey.
New principal Alexandra Laoutas supported the top pick.
The board will vote on it during their July 8 meeting.
📝 Full agenda and details: go.boarddocs.com/fl/stlucie/Board.nsf/public
🗞 Press Round: Big Moves and Bigger Messes
🚌 Indian River seeks $9.5M to expand transit
The county is applying for a $9.5 million federal grant to grow its award-winning GoLine and Community Coach systems. Upgrades include new buses, bus shelters, and an expanded maintenance facility. GoLine now serves over a million riders a year.
🗑️ Trash lawsuit and strong smells hit Fort Pierce
Rotting garbage from Miami-Dade is being hauled in by rail, and neighbors along Indian River Drive say the stench and flies are unbearable. The city is now in a legal battle with the railway over who’s responsible for the mess.
🏬 Two-story Publix coming to west PSL
A brand new Publix opens July 19 at Riverland Town Center with indoor and outdoor seating, a bakery, deli, drive-thru pharmacy, and more. It will be the 20th Publix in the county and the second in Tradition. (TC Palm Requires Subscription)
🤩 People Pass: What your support means!
From school coverage to better tools like play.sunlandnews.com, every upgrade you see is made possible by readers who pitch in. Thank you to everyone who already has. This is what the People Pass makes possible. Want to support it too?
🎉 The Weekender
Wednesday, July 3
⚾ Mets Fireworks Night at Clover Park – Stick around after the game for one of the biggest fireworks shows on the Treasure Coast. | Game starts at 6:10 PM | Ticket required | Details
Friday, July 5
🎆 Stars Over St. Lucie Fireworks Festival – Main Street Fort Pierce throws its annual fireworks bash along the waterfront. | 6 PM–9:30 PM | Free | Details
Saturday, July 5
🖼️ Florida Highwaymen Auction at Fort Pierce Yacht Club – Reserve auction featuring original Highwaymen paintings and works from the next generation. | Preview starts 12 PM, Auction at 1 PM | Free entry | Details
Sunday, July 6
💧 The Last Drop: New Dishes, New Dreams, New Directions
🍣 New Sushi Spot in the Fort
Kame Sushi & Asian Bistro just opened in downtown Fort Pierce, bringing hibachi, Thai apps, sushi boats, and a 30-year master chef to Avenue A. See the menu
💰 Céspedes’ PSL Ranch Hits the Market
MLB slugger Yoenis Céspedes is selling his 378-acre hunting and horse ranch in Port St. Lucie for $30 million. Take a look
🗳️ Teen Voice in City Hall
Fort Pierce is now accepting applications for its Youth Council, a student-led board for high schoolers who want to help shape local policy. Deadline to apply is July 14. Details here
📸 This is Sunland: Real Community!
Thank you for all the love that y'all have shown on play.sunlandnews.com. I appreciate all the feedback and people are already making use of it. I got four requests to add new little libraries into the system. So if you know of any or see of any that aren't on there, please let me know. Alright..
See you tomorrow!
With Love, Ja’Min
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