🌅❄️ Cold is Here & Luxury Villas Are Coming

Good Morning, Sunland

It’s Wednesday! And it’s cold, and according to this weather report, it’ll stay chilly for a while.

🌡 Day: High of 65°F, mostly sunny with winds at 10–15 mph. ❄️ Night: Low of 39°F, clear skies and calm winds. 🌅 Sunrise: 7:12 AM 🌇 Sunset: 5:44 PM

Sounds like "Keep Your Head to the Sky" by Earth, Wind & Fire. Be sure to bundle up. Also… There’s a trend online called, We listen, and we don’t judge—but I’ll be the one to ask: Have you taken yours down yet? I feel like it’s time. Maybe this weekend.

🎄Have you taken down the tree yet?

💼 Hot Job: St. Lucie Chamber of Commerce is hiring 2 Office Administrators to assist with Outlook calendars, special events, and more. Interested? Email [email protected].

🥳 Shoutout: Centennial High School CNA students for a 100% pass rate on their certification exams! Special props to Cameron Wright, the first Cen10 student to earn a perfect score. Incredible work!

🍋 The Main Squeeze: The Refill: King’s Landing Moves Forward

📖 The Facts:
After years of delays, Fort Pierce’s King’s Landing development is finally gaining traction. City commissioners approved the sale of a parcel of land to INB Homes for $1 million. Construction on 10 luxury villas is expected to start by February 1, with completion slated for the next 18 months.

🌟 Why This Matters to Our Community:
This long-awaited downtown project, first approved in 2018, has the potential to revitalize Fort Pierce’s core. Business owners like Jon Nolli, who owns Pierced Ciderworks and the new Funky Cuda restaurant, are hopeful the development will bring more foot traffic and opportunities to the area.

📚 Historical Context:
King’s Landing has been plagued by setbacks since its approval, with no construction in nearly six years. Monday’s vote marks a fresh start, with INB Homes taking the lead on the villas and potential progress on the Marriott Hotel and mixed-use spaces.

📃 Community Impact:
King’s Landing holds the potential to transform downtown Fort Pierce into a bustling hub, with new businesses like beer gardens, delis, and a luxury hotel adding to the area's vibrancy. However, some community members remain cautious, citing years of delays, traffic concerns, and the impact of yet another construction project in an already busy downtown area. The next steps will be critical in balancing progress with community needs.

🛠️ What’s Next:
City commissioners will receive an update on the Marriott Hotel portion of the project next week, with construction timelines expected to follow.

👉 More Info Here

🍊 The Press Round

❄️ Emergency Shelter Open

With temps dropping into the 40s, Percy Peek Gym (2902 Avenue D) will open as a cold-weather shelter on January 7th & 8th from 5 PM–8 AM. Free transportation is available at designated ART stops. 👉 More Info Here

🥕 Fresh Food Market This Thursday

Get fresh produce for free at the Family Market this Thursday, January 9th, from 2–3:30 PM at Fort Pierce Church of the Nazarene (611 Gardenia Ave). Supplies are limited, so arrive early!👉 More Info Here

🍹The Refill: ✨City Manager Search Narrows in Fort Pierce

Fort Pierce is one step closer to naming its next city manager, with the City Commission set to narrow the field of candidates from 17 to six or eight finalists on Monday.

Of the 65 applicants, only 17 met the qualifications for the top municipal job. These include candidates with city management experience, nonprofit leadership, and military backgrounds. Acting City Manager Linda Cox, who has served since Nicholas Mimms’ 2024 arrest on bid tampering charges, is among those being considered.

This development builds on the ongoing story I’ve covered about Mimms’ legal troubles and their impact on the city. (ICYMI, catch up here).

Four candidates have direct ties to Fort Pierce, with others hailing from cities across Florida and beyond. Interviews with the finalists are scheduled for January 13-24, and the new city manager is expected to be named by February 18, following Mimms’ official termination.

👉 Your turn: Stay tuned for updates and a closer look at the finalists next week on Sunland News.

Support Sunland News

🎉 5 - ish Weekend Events

Live at the Black Box – Dave Williamson
📅 Saturday, January 11 | 8:00 PM
📍 The Black Box, Fort Pierce
Get ready for a night of comedy with Dave Williamson, known from the Joe Rogan Experience and Netflix specials. Enjoy an evening full of laughter and entertainment. Doors open at 7:00 PM, and tickets start at $30.
👉 Find Out More

Treasure Coast History Festival
📅 Saturday, January 11 | 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 St. Lucie Regional History Center, Fort Pierce
Celebrate the rich history of the Treasure Coast at this annual festival featuring live music, historical exhibits, food trucks, and engaging speakers. Free admission to the museum and grounds!
👉 Learn More Here

Full Moon Market
📅 Saturday, January 11 | 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 Port St. Lucie
Explore a magical market showcasing local vendors and artisans under the full moon. Enjoy a fun afternoon supporting your community.
👉 Get Details Here

Treasure Coast Food Fest & Craft Fair
📅 Saturday, January 11 – Sunday, January 12 | Starts at 12:00 PM
📍 Piazza Drive, Port St. Lucie
Savor delicious bites and shop unique crafts at this two-day festival. Every menu item is $5 or less, supporting the Treasure Coast Food Bank.
👉 Check It Out

Saturday Drive-In Movie Nights | The Wild Robot
📅 Saturday, January 11 | 7:00 PM
📍 Fort Pierce
Experience the magic of drive-in movies with a screening of The Wild Robot. Enjoy a fun family night under the stars.
👉 Find Out More

If you have an event, send it to me here

💧 The Last Drop

• Utility Rate Hikes in Fort Pierce
  Fort Pierce Utilities Authority proposes a 2.8% monthly rate increase starting March 1. Public hearings set for February—share your feedback on rising costs.
  👉 Learn More

• Tragedy on JetBlue Flight
  Two bodies were discovered in the landing gear of a JetBlue plane in Fort Lauderdale. Authorities are investigating how this happened.
  👉 Read the Latest

• IRS 2025 Tax Changes
  New tax brackets and deductions could boost your paycheck and lower your taxes this year. See how these changes affect you.
  👉 Get the Details

📸 This is Sunland

Thank you all for being here! I’ll take this time to remind you to share the newsletter with just one friend. Word of mouth is the most tried-and-true way to grow our community.

Alright… see you tomorrow!

With love,
Ja’Min

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