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In today’s newsletter:
🌧️ At least 472 St. Lucie County properties reported flood damage from the Nov. 1 to 3 rain
🌱 An anonymous donor will match Mustard Seed Ministries donations dollar for dollar, up to $100,000
⚽ Port St. Lucie sets a Dec. 12 groundbreaking for its 6,000-seat soccer stadium
🚒 Martin County paused its January firefighter class over Amendment 3
🌿 St. Lucie County commissioners denied the Midway Cay development, 3 to
☁️ Weather Update: Clouds hang on, then a clear and chilly night.
☀️ Day: High of 75°F | Mostly cloudy and less humid. Winds NW at 7 mph.
🌙 Night: Low of 49°F | Clear and cooler. Winds NW at 5 mph. 4% chance of rain.
🌅 Sunrise: 6:41 AM | 🌇 Sunset: 5:31 PM
🌙 Moonrise: 10:34 AM | 🌚 Moonset: 8:54 PM
🎶 Sounds like: "Cold Sweat" — James Brown
Ja'Min Devon
Founder & Publisher, Sunland News
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SE Benchmark InsuranceDaisy at SE Benchmark says it's the one time of year worth actually checking your coverage. If you've never looked into life insurance, or haven't updated it in a while, now's a good time to ask a few questions and see where you stand.
Call For A Free Quote🟠 Main Squeeze: 🌿 St. Lucie County Commission denies Midway Cay development, 3 to 2
Why it matters: The vote comes right after the recent flooding, and neighbors told commissioners the wetland on the site is what keeps floodwater away from homes near Midway Road.
The details:
Where: A 34 acre parcel at the northwest corner of Midway Road and 25th Street, next to the Cumberland Farms.
The request: A future land use change to Mixed Development and a Planned Unit Development rezoning.
The plan: 170 townhomes in four and six unit buildings, up to about 78,500 square feet of commercial space, and 7.55 acres of preserved wetlands.
The vote: Commissioners Lowry, Clasby and Chair Fowler voted to deny. Commissioners Townsend and Leet voted against the denial.
What neighbors said:
Residents from Jorgensen Road, Midway Road and White City raised concerns about flooding, traffic, infrastructure and wetland loss next to low density neighborhoods.
One speaker said the intersection of Midway and Jorgensen was closed for two days and that White City Park was submerged.
Others pointed to the county’s own stormwater master plan, which lists the White City Lower North Fork Basin as one of five priorities for critical stormwater needs.
Jeff Stafford, who lives on Jorgensen Road, said the wetland is degraded but still absorbs water moving off the road. “If you approve this project, I guarantee it will happen,” he told commissioners.
The applicant’s drainage plan: The developer’s team proposed a 30 foot easement so the county can maintain the ditch, a larger ditch, a look at upsizing the existing 24 inch pipe, removal of a nonfunctioning control structure, filling in the lake, and a perimeter berm built to hold a 25 year storm. Speakers asked whether those designs account for the water levels and king tides seen during the recent flooding.
How it got here:
County staff supported the land use change and the rezoning.
On October 22nd, the Planning and Zoning Commission voted 2 to 3 against supporting the land use change, then voted unanimously to recommend denying the rezoning.
County commissioners rejected a more intense residential only plan for the site two years ago, saying they wanted a commercial component.
📰 Press Round: Flood Damage, Superintendent Search & Firefighters
🌧️ At Least 472 St. Lucie Properties Report Flood Damage
St. Lucie County officials say at least 472 properties reported flood damage from the historic Nov. 1-3 rainfall, including 421 residential, 22 commercial and 29 agricultural properties. The county expects that number to grow before the Nov. 20 deadline for its online damage survey, which covers Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie, St. Lucie Village and unincorporated areas. Officials say the storm dropped more than 16 inches of rain in parts of the county over 60 hours, and full damage assessments to culverts and county structures could take a couple more weeks.
👉 Read more (TCPalm subscription may be required)
⚽ Port St. Lucie Sets Dec. 12 Groundbreaking for 6,000-Seat Soccer Stadium
Port St. Lucie will break ground at noon Saturday, Dec. 12, on a stadium at Walton and One for a new USL professional soccer club, with a public celebration to follow at 1:30 p.m. The City Council approved the site plan Nov. 9. The project is estimated at $50 million to $80 million, and the city will reimburse up to $27.5 million through tax increment financing.
👉 Read more (WPTV)
🚒 Martin County Puts January Firefighter Class on Hold Over Amendment 3
Martin County has paused a class of about 25 firefighters that was set to start in January, pointing to Amendment 3. The county’s budget director says the amendment will cut property tax revenue by $42 million next year and $75 million in 2028. The firefighters union says Fire Rescue is already 17 people short and could be about 25 short by January, and it is urging commissioners to reverse course.
👉 Read more (TCPalm)
🌱 Anonymous donor offers $100,000 match to Mustard Seed Ministries
Why it matters: Every dollar donated to Mustard Seed through the end of the year will be matched, which helps the organization meet needs right now and start building a long term fund.
The details:
The match: An anonymous donor will match donations dollar for dollar, up to $100,000, through December 31st.
How it works: A $1,000 gift provides $1,000 for immediate needs, and the donor adds another $1,000 to the new Seeds of Hope Endowment Fund.
The goal: The endowment has a long term target of $8 million, with contributions invested to support Mustard Seed's programs over time.
The start: Mustard Seed's Board of Directors recently raised $80,000 for the fund.
Who qualifies: Donations of any amount count toward the match.
What Mustard Seed does:
Runs food pantries in Fort Pierce and Port St. Lucie.
Serves more than 100,000 hot meals a year through Sarah's Kitchens at four local churches.
Offers housing and utility assistance when funds are available.
Provides programs that help families work toward financial stability.
The big picture: Mustard Seed was founded in 1986 and has been part of St. Lucie County's social services network for 40 years.
"Our neighbors need help today, and every donation helps us help them. We also want to ensure Mustard Seed will be here when future generations need us, and this generous matching challenge allows donors to do both with a single gift," said Stephanie K. Kingsbury, the organization's chief executive officer.
How to give: Visit mustardseedslc.org and click "Make a Donation" at the top of the page.
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