Good Morning, Sunland
It's Wednesday! and let's jump right in!
👁️ Caught my eye: Jeff's Bagel Run is coming to Port St. Lucie. New bagel spot opening at 1214 SW Gatlin Blvd off Gatlin near I-95.
💜 People Pass Shoutout: Thank you to everyone supporting the newsletter! If you want to help keep this going, support here.
Alright, let's jump right in!
⛅ Weather Update: Sun, then clouds.
☀️ Day: High of 82°F | Some sun this morning with 20% chance of rain.
🌙 Night: Low of 64°F | Mostly cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy
🌅 Sunrise: 7:19 AM | 🌇 Sunset: 7:35 PM
🌙 Moonrise: 12:20 PM | 🌚 Moonset: 2:02 AM
🎶 Sounds like: "Happy Feelin's" — Frankie Beverly & Maze
Ja’Min Devon
Former Indian River State College CFO alleges fraud in whistleblower lawsuit
A former top administrator at Indian River State College filed a whistleblower lawsuit claiming he was fired for exposing financial mismanagement that cost taxpayers millions.
Why it matters: Marvin Pyles served as chief financial officer from 2021 until his firing. He alleges the college misused state grants and donor funds.
What he claims: Pyles told WPTV he uncovered "a financial mess" when hired to balance the struggling budget.
College hadn't balanced a budget in more than 30 years
Foundation paid for European trips, cruises, and expensive dinners without expense reports
Millions pulled from the foundation to cover budget deficits
Fake mailboxes and stacking of purchase orders
College response: "Indian River State College does not comment on pending litigation," spokeswoman Kathleen Walter said. "Dr. Pyles has raised the same complaints in other forums and each time has been unsuccessful."
What's next: The lawsuit names President Timothy Moore and Board of Trustees members, alleging retaliation under the Public Sector Whistleblower Act, breach of employment contract, and defamation. Defendants had not filed a response as of Tuesday afternoon. Sunland was sent a pres release on this story, that I have linked below.
🏠 Press Round: Prices, Picks & Pickups
🏘️ St. Lucie Condo and Townhouse Prices Drop $75K
The median sale price for townhouses and condos in St. Lucie County fell $75,000 in February compared to the same month last year, dropping 23 percent to $250,500. Median sale prices in other Treasure Coast counties remained mostly steady.
👉 Read more (TCPalm subscription may be required)
🏛️ Stuart Names Navy Vet as New City Manager
Stuart commissioners unanimously approved Michael Giardino as the city's next city manager with a $195,000 starting salary and an April 27 start date. Giardino brings 26 years of Navy experience and currently serves as deputy general manager of LaGuardia Airport in New York, replacing Mike Mortell who was fired in October.
👉 Read more (WQCS)
🌴 PSL Expands Yard Waste Pickup After Freeze Damage
Port St. Lucie is temporarily raising the weekly yard waste limit from 4 to 6 cubic yards per household from March 30 through April 24 at no extra cost to help residents clear debris from the recent cold snap. Standard yard waste guidelines still apply.
👉 Learn more (WQCS)
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🎉 Weekender: Mar 27 - Mar 29
Friday, March 27
🛍️ Artisan Market Grand ReOpening – 6–8 PM at Artisan Market, 1214 SW Gatlin Blvd #110, Port St. Lucie. Indoor and outdoor vendor stroll with local makers, live entertainment, food, wine, desserts, and giveaways. Free to attend. Info
Saturday, March 28
🏃 Slate Rocks 5K – Race starts 8:30 AM (registration 8 AM) at 414 Seaway Dr, Fort Pierce. Free to register. Money prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. Music and community vibes. Register
🏃 7th Annual Fool's Day 5K – 8–9 AM at Causeway Cove Marina, Fort Pierce. Professionally timed 3.1-mile race benefiting United Against Poverty of St. Lucie County. All ages and abilities welcome. Register
🎸 The Orchestra: Blue Skies Forever Tour – 8 PM at Sunrise Theatre, 117 S 2nd St, Fort Pierce. Tickets
🍓 6th Annual Strawberry Festival – Mar 28–29, 10 AM–5 PM at MIDFLORIDA Event Center, 9221 SE Civic Center Place, Port St. Lucie. Art and crafts, farm-fresh strawberries, monster truck rides, live music, free Cirque show, pony rides, and more. Info
Sunday, March 29
🙏 Praise on the Marina – 5–8 PM at Marina Square, 101 Melody Ln, Fort Pierce. Live performances featuring solo artists, choirs, jazz bands, spoken word, hip-hop, bounce houses, food, and games. Free. Info
If you have an event, send it to me here
💧 The Last Drop: Beach Closures, Earth Day, and Community Survey
🏖️ Fort Pierce Jetty Park closures March 21-27 – South Jetty Walkway closed Saturday-Friday, Seaway Drive and select parking areas closed Monday-Friday for Beach Renourishment Project. Use alternate beach access. Beach project
🌍 St. Lucie Earth Day Festival April 18 – Free 10am-4pm event at Oxbow Eco-Center (5400 NE St. James Drive, PSL). Live music, food, hands-on activities, conservation groups, local artists, heritage and agriculture features. Earth Day
📋 Fort Pierce seeks input on community needs – Survey open for HUD Community Development Block Grant 2026-2030 Consolidated Plan. Guides federal funding for infrastructure, affordable housing, economic development. Take survey
💜 People Pass Shoutout
Big thank you to Diane Dyer and everyone else supporting the newsletter. It means a lot and keeps this thing going every single day.
If you want to help keep Sunland News free for 15,000+ St. Lucie County readers, you can support here.
Support Sunland News📸 This is Sunland: Angle Rd.
See you tomorrow!
With Love, Ja'Min
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