Good Morning, Sunland
It’s Monday! Let’s jump straight in!
😴 Weird stat: Florida is the snooze state! Apple Watch data shows Floridians average 11:37pm bedtime. Read more here.
💜 People Pass Shoutout: Thank you to everyone supporting the work through the People Pass. Your support makes this possible. If you want to join, you can do that here: Join the People Pass here
☀️ Weather Update: Mostly sunny.
☀️ Day: High of 88°F | Except for a few afternoon clouds, mainly sunny.
🌙 Night: Low of 73°F | A few clouds from time to time. 24% chance of rain.
🌅 Sunrise: 7:06 AM | 🌇 Sunset: 7:25 PM
🌙 Moonrise: 12:50 AM | 🌚 Moonset: 3:33 PM
🎶 Sounds like: "Before I Let Go" — Frankie Beverly & Maze
Ja’Min Devon
📕 Sponsored: Free Guide!
You can never plan too much. That’s why Yates Funeral Home is giving Sunland readers a free guide to help you make more thoughtful decisions for yourself or for loved ones. No pressure. Just helpful info.
🧃 The Main Squeeze: Fort Pierce strengthens business oversight with new procurement rules
Why it matters
The city is implementing comprehensive bidding reforms to ensure fair competition and protect taxpayer investments in municipal contracts and services.
The big picture
Fort Pierce's procurement process lacked basic conflict-of-interest protections that are standard in most government operations, according to Fort Pierce city officials who unveiled reforms Monday.
By the numbers:
$500,000 in Catholic charity grant funds remain unrecovered from a failed 2020 project
The city operates on a $67 million annual budget with previously inadequate procurement oversight
New rules establish 5-day protest windows and mandatory conflict disclosures
What's happening
City Manager Richard Chess presented draft changes that would:
Prohibit city employees from participating in bids that benefit family members
Require immediate notification when relatives submit proposals
Create "cone of silence" rules preventing vendor contact during evaluations
Establish suspension and debarment procedures for non-performing contractors
Between the lines
The reforms directly address recent scandals:
Former City Manager Nicholas Mimms faces bid tampering charges for allegedly rigging a 2020 contract to benefit his niece's nonprofit
City Planner Vennis Gilmore awaits state ethics sanctions for his role in the same project
Multiple bidders recently protested the Little Jim's restaurant lease process
What they're saying
"This represents a culture change, a mindset change," Chess said about implementing the new procedures.
The bottom line
The changes require two public readings before adoption, but signal Fort Pierce's attempt to rebuild public trust after years of procurement controversies that have drawn state investigations and criminal charges.
Want to learn more? Watch the full meeting discussion or share your thoughts here.
🍊 Press Round: Films, Fixes & Fees
🎬 Ocean Film Festival Hits Fort Pierce
The International Ocean Film Festival's Florida Tour brought eight independent films from around the world to FAU's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute in June. The event showcased ocean-focused documentaries highlighting marine conservation and underwater exploration themes.
⚾ St. Lucie Mets Eliminated in Playoff Heartbreaker
The Daytona Tortugas completed a series comeback with a 2-0 victory at Clover Park, ending the Mets' season in Game 3 of the Florida State League East Division playoffs. Four Tortugas pitchers combined for an 11-strikeout, two-hit shutout, while the Mets managed just five baserunners and failed to score over the final 17 innings of the series.
🏕️ Nonprofit Pushes Fairgrounds as Homeless Shelter
Tent City Helpers is reviving its proposal to convert the Martin County Fairgrounds into emergency housing after the fair moves to Citrus Boulevard by 2028. The county has no shelter beds for homeless adults without children, forcing people like construction worker Christine McMillion to face repeated trespassing charges for sleeping outside since Florida banned public camping.
🎉 Weekdayer: 6 Events To Check Out This Week!
Wednesday, Sep 17
Thursday, Sep 18
🍽️ Sophisticated Thursdays – Live music and upscale dining experience with weekly musical guest at Meating Street | 6–9 PM | Menu prices | Details
Friday, Sep 19
🎬 Drive-In Horror Movie Nights: Smile 2 – Horror movie screening with concessions and FM radio sound | 8 PM | $19 per vehicle | Details
🚀 Speed Networking Event – Connection, music, and small plates at The Saints Golf Club | 6–8:30 PM | Ticketed | Details
🎤 Unplugged Expressions – Open mic night for creatives, performers, and arts lovers | 7 PM | Free | Details
If you have an event, send it to me here
📌 The Last Drop: Art Walls and Fall Calls
🎭 St. Lucie schools launch Arts Amplified – New monthly campaign showcases district's music, theatre, dance, and visual arts programs throughout 2025-26 school year. Learn more
🧹 Fort Pierce cleanup day – Community volunteers needed Saturday September 20th for citywide beautification. Registration open now through city website. Sign up
📚 Library card sign-up month – St. Lucie County offers special Little Bookworms cards for infants 0-24 months with welcome bags and reading challenges. Visit library
🍖 Stoney's BBQ x Sunland Film – Stoney’s let us highlight their Tuesday/Wednesday snack packs, Thursday $10 dinners, weekend specials featured in new commercial. Watch video (Sponsored)
📸 This is Sunland: ✌️ Community Finish!
Just a reminder we are doing a Pay What You Want photoshoot in the bookstore this Saturday! Any kids or families you know that may be in need of some school photos but can’t afford the prints or buying all the digitals, this is your opportunity! Book here!
See you tomorrow!
With Love, Ja’Min
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