🌅 🗳️ Fort Pierce Runoff Set & 🐾 Half-Price Pet Adoptions

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☀️ Day: High of 81°F | Foggy this morning, then partly cloudy. 7% chance of rain.
🌙 Night: Low of 64°F | Partly cloudy skies. 14% chance of rain.
🌅 Sunrise: 6:49 AM | 🌇 Sunset: 5:26 PM
🌙 Moonrise: 10:37 AM | 🌚 Moonset: 9:03 PM
🎶 Sounds like: "On & On" — Erykah Badu

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.

District 2 voters get another chance to pick their city commissioner January 13th after no candidate won outright in the November special election.

What happened: The seat has been vacant since July. Two candidates advanced from the November 4th election, which pulled about 20% turnout.

When you can vote:

The turnout problem: Here's the thing about runoffs. They're expensive and fewer people show up. The city's spending another $60,000 on this election, and nationally, runoff elections see turnout drop by 63% compared to the first round. Most runoff winners actually get fewer total votes than they did the first time around.

At the November 18th commission meeting, commissioners kept all the early voting options open despite the cost because they figured people need every opportunity to participate.

Two small precincts are closing for the runoff to save about $5,000. Those voters will get notices about where to go instead.

Only District 2 residents can vote in this race. Check your registration or sign up at slcelections.com or call 772-462-1500.

The Nature Conservancy is exploring a pilot program in Indian River County that would retrofit existing stormwater ponds with technology to control when and how fast water is released. The system adjusts automatically based on weather conditions to reduce nutrient runoff into the Indian River Lagoon and help prevent nuisance flooding.

👉 Read more (WQCS)

St. Lucie County Animal Shelter is offering half-price adoption fees for all dogs and cats through Jan. 3, with five dogs that have been at the shelter the longest available for free adoptions. The shelter is open by appointment at 3404 W. Midway Road in Fort Pierce, Monday through Saturday with hours varying by day.

👉 Read more (WQCS)

Stuart has yet to begin its search for a new city manager nearly a month after firing Michael Mortell on Oct. 27. Commissioners are split on whether to hire from within, use the city's HR department to conduct a search, or pay up to $35,000 for a search firm, and some expect the holidays to delay the process until May or June.

👉 Read more (TCPalm subscription may be required)

🍷 Thanksgiving Wine Tasting – Holiday wine tastings at The Wine Vault at Pierce Public Market, 111 Orange Avenue, Fort Pierce. Reservations required, signup early. Enjoy relaxing evening of great wines and charcuterie boards with friends and family before Thanksgiving. | 6:30–8:30 PM | Check pricing | Details

🎪 2nd Annual Fairgrounds Festival of Lights – Biggest light show on Treasure Coast! Drive-thru lights, real reindeer (Rudolph!), petting zoo, Santa's Village, photo ops at St. Lucie County Fairgrounds. Open Thanksgiving through Dec 28th. Food trucks on site. | 6–9 PM | $10/person advance, $12 at gate | Details

🦃 8th Annual Turkey Trot at Tradition – 5K race/run/walk at Tradition Square benefiting New Horizons of the TC, Okeechobee, and TC Food Bank. Register online. | 8 AM | Check pricing | Details

🎄 Christmas on Main Street – FREE family fun with annual tree lighting ceremony in Downtown Stuart at Riverwalk Stage. | 4–7 PM | Free | Details

🎉 The Day After Thanksgiving Night Market – Skip the big-box chaos and enjoy a laid-back night under the stars at Tradition Square. Food trucks, live music, local vendors, holiday shopping, and adult beverages. | 5–9 PM | Free | Details

💡 PSL in Lights at The Port – Self-guided stroll through beautiful light displays at Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens. Open every night dusk to 9 PM, Nov 28–Dec 31. Vendors, popcorn, and food trucks on select Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. Free admission. | 5–9 PM | Free | Details

🛍️ Small Business Saturday Sidewalk Pop Up – Shop local at Avenue D Corridor Business District with popup vendors on Lincoln Park Main Street, Fort Pierce. Free vendor spots available. | 10 AM–4 PM | Free | Details

If you have an event, send it to me here

See you tomorrow!
With Love, Ja’Min

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