Good Morning, Sunland
It’s Wednesday! and I'm doing a year-end wrap up of the biggest stories of the year. I really just need your help telling me what those stories are, or something I should include. Obviously, there's some big ones that are pretty obvious, but there might be some stuff I miss or have a blind spot on. So yeah, leave your thoughts here!
😂 A laugh for the morning: This meme to start your day right.
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Alright, let's jump right in!
⛅ Weather Update: Clouds increasing.
☀️ Day: High of 77°F | A mix of clouds and sun. 19% chance of rain.
🌙 Night: Low of 66°F | Partly cloudy skies early. 22% chance of rain.
🌅 Sunrise: 7:04 AM | 🌇 Sunset: 5:30 PM
🌙 Moonrise: 5:03 AM | 🌚 Moonset: 3:32 PM
🎶 Sounds like: "Just the Two of Us" — Grover Washington Jr. featuring Bill Withers
Ja’Min Devon
🚔 Main Squeeze: Data Center Developer Still
Hasn't Resubmitted Plans
The proposed $13.2 billion Sentinel Grove data center that Planning & Zoning denied in October still hasn't come back to St. Lucie County for another shot.
What's happening: County officials confirmed with Sunland News the developer has not indicated when they'll resubmit their application. It most likely won't be in January. "We've told them we are looking to visit and find out more information from other data centers in other states," the administrator said.
The research: St. Lucie County is studying Loudoun County, Virginia, which has extensive data center experience. Loudoun County officials told Sunland that data center tax revenue represents approximately 38% of their total property tax revenue for FY 2025. However, they noted the facilities require massive infrastructure investments, use significant electricity and water, and generate substantial truck traffic from diesel generators that power facilities during outages.
The backstory: Planning & Zoning voted 4-2 to deny the massive 1,218-acre project west of Fort Pierce that would have been the largest private investment in county history. Developer claimed 6,000 construction jobs, 300-400 permanent jobs, and 16% increase in property tax revenue.
What killed it: Commissioners cited traffic concerns on rural two-lane roads with no construction phase traffic study, 9 million gallons of stormwater runoff without permits from South Florida Water Management District, and 80-foot industrial buildings incompatible with surrounding century-old cattle ranches.
The neighbors: Residents from Adams Ranch area made emotional pleas to preserve "the last ag area we have left in St. Lucie County." One resident noted traffic is already "mind blowing" from FP&L projects on Orange Avenue with big trucks and no way to pass. Another raised concerns about 126+ diesel generators with no buildings to buffer noise, and tornado risk creating "biggest environmental disaster state ever seen."
The bigger picture: Data centers are popping up across Florida and the country, and people are pushing back against them in communities nationwide.
What's next: Developer may reduce square footage, but nothing is stopping them from resubmitting in January. They just haven't done it yet.
🗳️ Press Round: Polls, Peacocks & Progress
🗳️ Fort Pierce Cutting Polling Places to Save Money
Fort Pierce will consolidate seven District 2 polling places into five for the Jan. 13 runoff election between Chris Dzadovsky and Jaimebeth Galinis, potentially saving the city $5,000 in election costs. The consolidation comes after extremely light turnout in November, including one precinct where only one person voted, with early voting running Jan. 3-10 and Monday being the last day to register.
👉 Read more (Hometown News)
🦚 Treasure Coast Peacocks Facing Threats from Development
Wild peacocks on the Treasure Coast are facing dangers from the COVID-era development boom, with 911 records showing people have poisoned, drowned, shot, trapped, and intentionally run them over with cars. The birds have expanded beyond their traditional Fort Pierce and Rio populations into areas like Port St. Lucie, with no official tracking of their numbers or deaths since they're considered nonnative domestic fowl without special protections.
👉 Read more (TCPalm, TCPalm subscription may be required)
🍔 More Restaurants and Shops Coming to Port St. Lucie
Nearly 60 acres at Becker Road and I-95 in Port St. Lucie is being developed with three quick-service restaurants and up to 14,000 square feet of retail, office, or medical space, with tenants expected to be announced within four months and stores opening in late 2026 or early 2027. The area near the Southern Grove jobs corridor already has Port St. Lucie City Council approval for a Tesla store and service center on a 6-acre lot.
👉 Read more (TCPalm, TCPalm subscription may be required)
🎉 The Weekender: 8 Events to Check Out This Weekend!
Friday, Dec 19
🎪 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. Closed Mondays & Tuesdays. | 6–9 PM | $10/person advance, $12 at gate | Details
🎄 Noche Buena – Unforgettable evening of music, dancing and holiday cheer! City of Port St. Lucie's annual event featuring Latin artist Elsten Torres. Latin food trucks, PSLinLights holiday display. Free admission! Bring new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots drive at The Event Lawn at The Port District, 2454 SE Westmoreland Blvd, Port St Lucie. | 5–9 PM | Free | Details
💡 Heathcote's Garden of Lights 2025 – Over one million twinkling lights! Santa on select nights, food trucks, live music, Treasure Coast Woodturners spinning wooden tops for kids every Friday & Saturday. Runs every Friday, Saturday & Sunday in December at 210 Savannah Rd, Fort Pierce. | 5:30–9 PM | Adults $15, Kids (6-17) $5, Members $10, Under 5 free | Details
🎄 Christmas At The Museum – Visit with Santa, live Christmas music performances! Pianist & Singer (Friday Night). Cookies and hot chocolate at Port St. Lucie History Museum, 2456 SE Westmoreland Blvd, Port St Lucie. Runs Dec 19-21. | 5:30–8:30 PM | Check pricing | Details
Saturday, Dec 20
🎪 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. Add-ons: camel rides, calf cuddles, pony rides ($10 each). Food trucks on site. | 6–10 PM | $10/person advance, $12 at gate | Details
🎬 Saturday Drive In Movie Night: How The Grinch Stole Christmas – Family Movie Night! Gates open 6 PM, movie starts 7 PM. Sound transmitted through FM radio 87.9. Concessions on site at 601 Seaway Drive, Fort Pierce. | 7 PM | $14 plus tax per vehicle online, $14 cash at gate | Details
🎅 Christmas at the Farm – Eastside Acres Ranch! Parking, entrance to ranch, access to all animals, animal feed for petting & feeding, holiday photo ops, play area & outdoor games, special guests. Santa Claus (Dec 20th), The Grinch (Dec 21st). Vendors & food trucks. Cow Cuddles $5 cash add-on. Ages 2+ need ticket at 6740 Ideal Holding Rd, Port Saint Lucie. Runs Dec 20-21. | Sat 10:30 AM–1:30 PM | Ticketed | Details
Sunday, Dec 21
📚 The Midnight Dreary & Honeybee Hollow Holiday Market – Last minute holiday shopping! Local authors, vendors, artists. Honeybee Hollow with local tea and honey, BBQ by Ugly Drum Smokers Florida, holiday baked goods. Blind Date books and bookish gifts at 725 SE Port St Lucie Blvd Ste 104, Port Saint Lucie. | 10 AM–4 PM | Free | Details
Want more events? Go here
💧 The Last Drop: Holiday Lights, Business Expo, and Lagoon Cleanup
💡 PSLinLights decorating contest runs through Jan. 5 – Outdoor holiday display competition with prizes. Enter at Holiday contest
🏢 PSL Pathway to Business Expo Jan. 15 – Free small business workshop 9am-noon at PSL Community Center (2195 SE Airoso Blvd). "Getting Started as a Small Business" topics. Register at Business expo
🕊️ Plan ahead with compassion – Yates Funeral Home offers pre-planning resources to ease future decisions for your family. Download free planning guide and learn about your options. (Sponsored) Planning guide
💼 St. Lucie County hiring for 5 positions – IT Technical Business Analyst, Planning Compliance Specialist, Recreation Supervisor, Construction Inspector III, Communications Officer I. Apply at County jobs
⛵ Another derelict boat removed from lagoon – New Bomb Sailboat near ICW north causeway cleared. 17 vessels removed in 2025 for $24k total. Vessel removal
📸 This is Sunland: Photo Finish!
See you tomorrow!
With Love, Ja’Min
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