🌅🚢 Dockworkers’ Strike Suspended + 🔥 Port St. Lucie’s Rental Market Heats Up

Good Morning, Sunland! It’s Friday!

Welcome to Sunland News – the newsletter that keeps you informed, the newsletter that feels like home, because it is home.

Quick story: Some of my best friends, Darius and Kay, along with others from the Sunland News community, have been urging me to set up a "Buy Me a Coffee" page to support the newsletter.

I’ve been hesitant because I’ve always wanted to provide something of value in exchange for people's time and support (they keep telling me what I’m doing is already valuable).

I set up a tip jar Wednesday night, but I was still on the fence about mentioning it – it just didn’t feel right.

Then, out of the blue, a new subscriber found the tip jar on the page (not even sure how as I haven’t mentioned it 😂) and contributed to Sunland News without me even asking. I was, and still am, a little taken aback, and I can’t thank this person enough (I’d share their name, but I didn’t get permission).

So, I’ll take this one and only moment to mention that you are welcome to support Sunland News via either of these two links: Buy Me a Coffee or the Sunland Tip Jar. Again, thank you all so much as I aim to make Sunland News and the brand something that lasts for the next 50 years and beyond.

Thank you!

Ja’Min

Sunland News in 5 Seconds 📬

St. Lucie County Gov has a podcast? Yes… 🎙️
Dockworkers’ Strike Suspended Until January🚢
Port St. Lucie is Florida’s 3rd Hottest Rental Market 🏘️

📚 Read Time: 5 Minutes
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Thursday's Event List

Welcome to all the new subscribers! If you haven’t had a chance to check out this week’s exciting events, you can find the full list right here 👉 [Event List]

Did you know Port Saint Lucie had a museum?

Introducing the recently opened Port St. Lucie History Museum and Education Center, Located at 2456 SE Westmoreland Blvd., this brand-new museum is dedicated to sharing the history, culture, and diversity that makes Port St. Lucie unique. [Read More]

Weather TL;DR: "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" by Stevie Wonder 🎶"You are the sunshine of my life, that’s why I’ll always stay around." Cloudy skies with showers expected today. 🌥️☔ 🌥️

🌞 Day: High of 87°F
🌜 Night: Low of 75°F
📅 Sunrise: 7:16 AM
🌇 Sunset: 7:03 PM

🌧️ Rain: 50% chance during the day, 22% at night
💧 Humidity: Day - 82%, Night - 89%

Bring your umbrella just in case! ☂️

Check Full Weather Report Here

📢 Join the Conversation!

Mentioned before, but think it’s worth mentioning again…

The Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council, in partnership with the Fort Pierce Redevelopment Agency, invites you to participate in a public workshop to kick off the Western Peninsula Charrette on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at the 500 Orange Event Center, starting at 10 AM.

This workshop marks the beginning of a five-day process to envision the future of the Island Wastewater Treatment Plant area. With the plant’s relocation, this is a chance for the community to reimagine and transform the waterfront!

For the full schedule of activities, visit: choosefortpierce.com

🏡 Attention Fort Pierce Homeowners! 🏡

The City of Fort Pierce is launching the Residential Rehabilitation Program on Friday, November 1, 2024, at 8:00 AM. Eligible homeowners can apply for financial assistance to repair and rehabilitate their homes. A total of $1 million in funding is available through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) fund

[Learn More]

🎃 Help Needed for Pumpkin Unloading at First Congregational Church!

Sunland Reader Margit needs your help! The First Congregational Church at 2401 SE Sidonia St., Port St. Lucie, FL 34953 is in need of volunteers to help unload pumpkins on Friday, October 4, around 4 PM. If you'd like to lend a hand, your help would be greatly appreciated! For more information, you can contact Margit at 772-341-6851.

🚗Check the current traffic situation via Google.

🚤 TREASURE COAST AT LARGE

🏡 Port St. Lucie: Florida’s 3rd Hottest Rental Market 📊
Port St. Lucie has been ranked as the third-hottest rental market in Florida for 2024, just behind Palm Beach County and Tallahassee, according to a new study by RentCafe. This competitive ranking reflects an increasing demand for rentals in the area, with more people competing for the limited available properties.

[Read More]

🍊 FLORIDA AT LARGE

📧 Not The Greatest Year For City Manager’s 🏙️
Riviera Beach City Manager Jonathan Evans was found using a private email to communicate with city staff during his two-week suspension, according to a public records request obtained by WPTV. Evans, suspended for reasons linked to an internal report citing city negligence, used his personal email to request more time to create an "action plan" addressing employee morale.

[Learn More]

🌍 WORLD AT LARGE

Dockworkers’ Strike Suspended Until January 🚢 Phew 😥…
The International Longshoremen’s Association, representing 45,000 dockworkers across East and Gulf coast ports, has agreed to suspend its strike until January 15, 2025, giving more time for negotiations on a new six-year contract. This temporary halt will allow the union and the U.S. Maritime Alliance, which represents shippers and ports, to work out the details of wage increases and other contract terms. There’s a tentative agreement that includes 62% pay raise over 6 years.

[Learn More]

Hey, did you know St. Lucie County has a podcast?

Yep, it’s called Inside St. Lucie—and it’s basically like a direct line to all the important updates happening in our area. Hosted by Eric Gill, the county’s communications director, it covers everything from upcoming events to major government projects. I watched the latest episode so you don’t have to—here’s the quick rundown:

• Half-Cent Sales Tax Update: In 2018, St. Lucie County voters approved a half-cent sales tax for better roads, sidewalks, and drainage systems. We’re now halfway through the 10-year project.

• Big Projects Completed:

  • Prima Vista Blvd Resurfacing: Major roadwork is done, making commutes smoother.

  • Bridge Replacements: The Gordy Road and King Road bridges were replaced to handle high-water events.

  • Stormwater System Updates: Older neighborhoods now have better drainage systems to reduce flooding and pollution.

• Funded by Visitors Too: The tax isn’t just on locals. Tourists contribute when they shop or eat in the county, helping fund these essential projects.

• What’s Next?: The county is planning to ask voters in 2026 if they want to extend the tax for another 10 years to keep up with the growing population and infrastructure needs.

If you’re curious and want the full breakdown, check out the full episode here.

What do you think—should we extend the half-cent sales tax to keep funding these projects? Respond to this email and let me know!

📸 This is Sunland!

This has been a really rewarding week for Sunland News. So many ups and downs on the learning front. I’m really trying to stay locked in and focused on just make the newsletter a little bit better, every single day. As of this morning, the newsletter is 896 people. That is pretty insane! I appreciate you all for being here. And I’ll see you next week!

With love,
Ja’Min

💥 CCW Ultimate Showdown
📆 Friday, October 4, 2024 | 9:00 AM
📍 MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Event Center, 9221 S.E. Event Center Place, Port St. Lucie, FL 34952

Gear up for an action-packed wrestling showdown at the CCW Ultimate Showdown. This exciting event will be hosted at the MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Event Center, offering a day filled with competitions and activities. Center website.

[More Info Here]

 🎉Friday Fest - October 2024
📅 Friday, October 4, 2024
🕔 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
📍 Marina Square

Join Main Street Fort Pierce for the October edition of Friday Fest at Marina Square!
Bring your blankets and chairs for an evening of live music featuring Square Ones and The Nouveaux Honkies. Food trucks, drinks, and family-friendly fun are all on the agenda.

[More Info Here]

🌮 Food Trucks & Tributes
📅 Friday, October 4, 2024 | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 Tradition Square, SW Tradition Square, Port St Lucie, FL 34987
💰 Free (Food available for purchase)

Indulge in delicious bites from local food trucks while enjoying live tribute performances under the stars. For October, experience "Divas of Soul" featuring tributes to Whitney Houston and Tina Turner.

[More Info Here]

🎸 Vinyl Redux Classic Rock Band
📅 Saturday, October 5, 2024 | 8:00 PM
📍 HARMONY Music Lounge & Bar, 116 Avenue A, Fort Pierce, FL 34950

Enjoy live rock tunes with Vinyl Redux. Entertainment fee: $7.

[More Info Here]

🎤 Priscilla's Solo Show
📅 Sunday, October 6, 2024 | 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 HARMONY Music Lounge & Bar, 116 Avenue A, Fort Pierce, FL 34950

Priscilla will captivate you with a variety of vocal performances, from rock to pop to country! Entertainment fee: $4.

[More Info Here]

🎸 Tuesday Bluesday with Bodhisattva
📅 Tuesday, October 8, 2024 | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
📍 HARMONY Music Lounge & Bar, 116 Avenue A, Fort Pierce, FL 34950

Blues and Rock Jam with Bodhisattva. Entertainment fee: $3.

[More Info Here]