Good Morning, Sunland
It's Wednesday! Excited to be back with some new things. I appreciate y'all for being here.
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In today's newsletter:
🏫 $70 million K-8 school broke ground in Fort Pierce yesterday
🏗️ GL Homes sports complex tabled after Valencia Grove residents speak out
🍗 JoJo's Wings opens Port St. Lucie location
💾 Indiantown plans public meeting on data center impacts
🚗 Delaware Avenue closed for drainage improvements through July 31
Let's jump right in!
Ja'Min Devon
Founder & Publisher, Sunland News
Sponsored · Amandla Wellness Center
🌿 School & Sports Physicals Are Open
Dr. Lott is offering convenient and affordable physicals for students of all ages. And if your child is an incoming high school freshman playing sports, note that an EKG is now required.
School & Sports Physicals $40 · EKGs $25
Book an Appointment🟠 Main Squeeze: A new $70 million K-8 school broke ground in Fort Pierce yesterday and we have been covering this since the beginning
We broke this story over a year ago when the proposal to consolidate Dan McCarty Middle, St. Lucie Elementary and Lawnwood Elementary first surfaced. Yesterday it became official. Shovels went in the ground 🏫.
The new K-8 will be built on land behind Dan McCarty Middle School and is expected to welcome between 1,500 and 1,800 students when it opens. The $70 million project is being funded in part by selling the properties where the three existing schools currently stand, offsetting the cost of maintaining buildings that were constructed in the 1950s and 60s.
Superintendent Jon Prince said the project is on time, on budget and on schedule. He also noted the district already operates 11 other K-8 schools and the data on them is clear: attendance is better, test scores are better and grades are better.
Dan McCarty Principal Latricia Stubbs-James said the investment is long overdue for the north part of the county. "Being able to actually know that our schools in the north part of the county are also getting the attention that they deserve and they need would be great," she said.
The new school is expected to be completed in August 2028 📅.
💬 What do you think about the consolidation of these three schools? Tell us right here
Press Round: Sports Complex, New Eats & Data Centers
🏗️ GL Homes Sports Complex Tabled After Valencia Grove Residents Speak Out
Port St. Lucie City Council tabled GL Homes' rezoning application for a 33-acre Riverland West Sports and Recreation complex to August 24th after frustrated Valencia Grove residents voiced concerns. Residents said they weren't informed of the project and complained about pickleball noise levels being 10-12 decibels higher than inside homes. GL Homes had advertised the project at model homes before any public vote. Mayor Martin asked if GL Homes held public meetings with neighbors—the answer was no. Council directed GL Homes to meet with residents before the item returns.
👉 Read more (Sunland News)
🍗 JoJo's Wings Opens Port St. Lucie Location
JoJo's Wings officially opened its new Port St. Lucie location at 1327 NW Saint Lucie West Boulevard. The restaurant is offering free 5-piece wings for the first 25 customers as a grand opening special. JoJo's Wings specializes in wings, ribs, combos and more.
💾 Indiantown Plans Public Meeting on Data Center Impacts
Indiantown village officials are planning a public information meeting to discuss data center impacts before considering future proposals. Councilwoman Karen Onsager had requested a 90-day pause on applications, but Village Attorney Wade Vose advised the pause would violate state law. A tentative August 8 meeting date was selected to hear from South Florida Water Management District representatives, utility providers and data center experts. The Planning and Zoning Board has recommended denying a recent data center request on agricultural land.
👉 Read more (WQCS)
🎉 Weekender: Events for the Weekend!
Friday, July 31
🦈 Friday Drive In Movie Nights | JAWS, Treasure Coast Park and Watch, Fort Pierce. 8:30PM. Details
😂 The Elixir Society: Comedy After Dark, Culture Shift Elixery, Stuart. 8PM. Details
🕺 Freestyle Friday: 80s & 90s with TKA, Cynthia, Stevie B & More, Blue Iguana Sports Grill, Port St. Lucie. 9PM. Free. Details
🎸 Brothers Within at Terra Fermata w/ More Better Band & The Hulagans, Terra Fermata, Stuart. 6PM. Details
🧜♀️ The Little Mermaid Jr, McAlpin Fine Arts Center, Fort Pierce. 7PM. Details
🎸 East Harbor (TRIO) Live at The Harbor, Fort Pierce. 8PM. Details
🎉🎤 Hamilton Watch Party and Sing Along & More!, The Midnight Dreary, Port St. Lucie. 6PM. Details
🎷 Cary DeNigris & Brenna Bavis: The Dynamic Duo, Bluebird Bistro & Wine Bar. Details
Saturday, August 1
If you have an event, send it to me here
💧 The Last Drop: Road Closure, Inclusive Playground, Home Assistance Programs
🚗 Delaware Avenue closed for drainage improvements – Portion west of South 33rd Street closed through July 31. Follow posted detour signs. Info
🎡 River Place Park inclusive playground under construction – River-themed playground for all abilities, ages 2-12, at 690 Bayou Country Lane. Expected completion September 2026. Details
🏠 Fort Pierce home assistance programs open October 1 – Home Purchase Assistance and Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Programs. Mandatory orientations required in September. First-submitted, first-qualified basis. Register
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