Good Morning, Sunland
It's Wednesday! Let’s jump right in!
🍗 $6 bowls at Stoney's – Get a bowl and a laugh with Stoney's special. Located at 2929 S US Highway 1, Fort Pierce. (Sponsored) Stoney's deal
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☁️ Weather Update: Overcast with showers late.
☀️ Day: High of 74°F | Overcast. Slight chance of a rain shower. 15% chance of rain.
🌙 Night: Low of 57°F | Partly cloudy skies early. 70% chance of rain.
🌅 Sunrise: 7:12 AM | 🌇 Sunset: 5:48 PM
🌙 Moonrise: 3:52 AM | 🌚 Moonset: 2:11 PM
🎶 Sounds like: "No Woman, No Cry" — Bob Marley & The Wailers (The Live Version though! With the mic feedback… lol)
Ja’Min Devon
🚔 Main Squeeze: Fort Pierce Approves Police Chief Contract, Smith Starts February 2 (Also the 125th Birthday for Fort Pierce)
Fort Pierce City Commission unanimously approved David Smith's contract as police chief Monday. Smith will be sworn in at a 9 a.m. ceremony February 2.
The Contract Details:
Three-year term with automatic year-to-year renewals after that
$190,000 annual salary (matches what former Chief Diane Hobley-Burney earned)
80 hours vacation, 40 hours sick leave
Either party must give 90 days notice before end of term to terminate or depart
Smith has already signed the 17-page contract
The Transition: Smith is currently under contract for an apartment in the city and his family plans to move here later, HR Manager Jared Sorensen told commissioners. Acting Chief Robert Ridle, who has held the position since May, will stay on to ensure a smooth transition and help Smith learn the department before retiring.
Certification Requirements: Smith is not currently certified as a law enforcement officer in Florida. The contract requires him to obtain temporary employment authorization from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement before being sworn in, and full certification within one year.
The Backstory: City Manager Richard Chess selected Smith in December after a monthslong search. Smith currently serves as Commander of Eastern District Operations for the Prince William County Police Department in Virginia with 24 years of law enforcement experience. Former Chief Diane Hobley-Burney resigned in May after former Commissioner James Taylor said he would push to have her fired.
What's Next: Swearing-in ceremony February 2 at 9 a.m.
🏠 Press Round: Votes, Valves & Cold
🗳️ Dzadovsky Wins Fort Pierce Seat by 31 Votes
Former County Commissioner Chris Dzadovsky defeated Jaimebeth Galinis in Fort Pierce's District 2 special election by just 31 votes, with Dzadovsky receiving 1,311 votes (50.6%) to Galinis' 1,280 votes (49.4%). Dzadovsky will be sworn in February 2.
👉 Read more (TCPalm, TCPalm subscription may be required)
💧 Fort Pierce Opens New Water Reclamation Facility
Fort Pierce Utilities Authority cut the ribbon on its new $140 million Mainland Water Reclamation and Reuse Facility, which will replace the aging waterfront plant on the Indian River Lagoon. The new facility provides 5 million gallons per day of reclaimed water capacity and is expected to be fully operational by 2028 or 2029 after completing 17 infrastructure projects to redirect wastewater flow.
👉 Read more (WQCS)
🥶 Treasure Coast Bracing for Record Low Temperatures
The Treasure Coast could see record low temperatures Friday morning, with readings in the 30s and wind chill making it feel like the 20s inland. The record lows for January 16 are 31 degrees in Vero Beach and 32 degrees in Fort Pierce, with a cold front bringing 40% to 50% chance of rain from January 13 through January 15.
👉 Read more (WPBF)
🎉 Weekdayer: January 16-19
Friday, Jan 16
🍪 Friday Bites & Beats – Good food, great music, small businesses! Brittney Cookies vendor in signature PINK tent, street food, pop-up eats, live DJ music, artisan market, kid-friendly activities at Tradition Square, 10301 SW Innovation Way, Port St Lucie. | 5–9 PM | Details
🎪 Garden Bros Nuclear Circus – World's largest circus under world's largest big top. Multiple showtimes daily through Jan 19 at St. Lucie County Fairgrounds, 15601 Midway Rd, Fort Pierce. | 7:30 PM | Starting at $23.27 (kids 3-13 free with adult) | Details
Saturday, Jan 17
🩸 MLK Blood Drive – Omicron Tau Chapter blood drive at Dreamland Park, 301 South 25th St, Fort Pierce. | 8 AM–Noon |
🍳 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Awards Breakfast – Gamma Iota Sigma Chapter breakfast at Indian River State College Treasure Coast Training Complex, 4600 Kirby Loop Rd, Fort Pierce. | 9 AM | $30 |
📚 Silent Book Club – Order drink, find seat, silent reading hour, share book recommendations at Smith & Co. Mercantile, 6645 S US Hwy 1, Port St Lucie. | 10:30 AM–12:30 PM | Details
🌿 Botanical Bazaar: Plant Sale and Artisan Market – The Gardens will play host to local plant vendors, arts and craft artisans, food trucks and live music for your shopping, culinary and aural pleasure. Admission is free. at Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens, 2410 SE Westmoreland Blvd, Port St Lucie. | 9 AM–4 PM | Details
Monday, Jan 19
🎉 Fort Pierce MLK Day Parade – Annual parade along MLK Blvd and Avenues I-K featuring community groups and bands, Fort Pierce. | 10 AM |
If you have an event, send it to me here
💧 The Last Drop: Jobs, Buses, and Community
💼 Fort Pierce Job Fair Jan. 27 – City's 11th annual job fair at Havert L. Fenn Center (2000 Virginia Ave) 10am-1pm. Veterans and Hope Florida participants enter early at 9:30am. Job fair
🚌 Martin County bus ridership up 35% with free fares – Marty bus saw jump in December, first full month of free-fare program. System costs $3M annually, covered by state and federal funding. Marty ridership
🕊️ Kenneth Drummond, Fort Pierce educator and builder, dies at 92 – FAMU graduate taught at Lincoln Park Academy, founded Drummond Development, built original Stone Brothers Funeral Home in 1967. Charter member Omega Psi Phi Omicron Tau Chapter. Obituary
👮 Fort Pierce swears in new police chief Feb. 2 – David M. Smith starts as chief on city's 125th birthday. Virginia police commander hired at $190k salary, must establish city residence within a year. New chief
📸 This is Sunland: MLK!
Excited for the parade next week!
See you tomorrow!
With Love, Ja'Min
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