Good Morning, Sunland
It's Tuesday and ready to keep the momentum going!
💜 Marte McKeon is now a member! Thank you so much for the support! I appreciate you joining People Pass. If you want to join, support here.
Alright, let's jump right in!
Ja’Min Devon
📚 The Main Squeeze: Fort Pierce School Merger Plan
Round Two This Thursday
Quick reminder: Earlier this year, Sunland News broke the story that three Fort Pierce schools (Dan McCarty Middle, Lawnwood Elementary, and St. Lucie Elementary) might merge into one new K-8 campus. Now there's a follow-up town hall meeting this Thursday.
When: Thursday, December 12, 6:30 PM
Where: Check the Facebook event for location details
Watch live: We'll stream it on the Sunland News YouTube channel
The original plan: The superintendent proposed consolidating all three schools into one new K-8 campus built on the Dale Cassens site. The district would sell off the Lawnwood and St. Lucie Elementary properties to help fund the $65 million project.
What happened in July: The superintendent showed up to a packed room at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. The format was structured around pre-submitted questions, notecards, and QR codes. Some people in the room and watching online said it felt more like a presentation than the open dialogue they were expecting.
What came up: People in the room raised questions about what consolidation means for investment in Fort Pierce neighborhoods. Some asked about what happens to the land once it's sold, and whether any of that value stays in the community. The superintendent talked about district-wide progress, including the new $100 million Westwood campus and rising graduation rates, but the conversation kept circling back to trust and whether Fort Pierce is being planned with or planned around.
The bigger picture: St. Lucie County is growing fast. The district finished building Legacy High School (opened August 2025) and a new K-8 near it (opens August 2026). With limited land and funding, they're looking at consolidation as a way to expand and modernize aging schools. But people in Fort Pierce want to make sure historic schools in their neighborhoods get the same level of investment and attention as schools being built elsewhere in the county.
What's next: The superintendent will present updated options to the school board soon. No vote yet. This process will take years. We'll keep covering it.
Catch up:
See you Thursday night.
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🥳 What’s Happening: 9 Out of Town Events
Friday, Dec 12
🎆 The Drive-in Laser Light Show - Stuart, FL – Ultimate tailgate laser party at Martin County Fairgrounds. Bring your ride, build your own tailgate party with chairs and blankets. Two showtimes: 7PM Family Laser Show, 9PM Classic Rock Laser Show. Food trucks on site. | 5 PM–11 PM | $35 per carload | Details
🎄 Santa's City Lights – Stroll through forest of illuminated trees, visit Santa, enjoy yummy treats and a holiday movie at Memorial Park, 300 SE Ocean Blvd, Stuart. Feature Film: Elf starts at 6:30pm. | 5:30–8:30 PM | Free | Details
🎉 WINTERFEST – FREE EVENT with cozy vibes and community cheer! Live entertainment, food vendors, games, vendors, kids fun zone, arts and crafts station at The Mansion at Tuckahoe, Jensen Beach. Supported by Children's Services Council of Martin County. | 5:30–9 PM | Free | Details
Saturday, Dec 13
🛍️ Holiday Pop-Up Market at Frazier Creek – Shop local with handmade crafts, jewelry, art, home goods, apparel, specialty foods. House-made beers, ciders, seltzers on tap. Cousins Maine Lobster Food Truck 12PM–8PM at Frazier Creek Brewing and Distilling Co., Downtown Stuart. | 11 AM–3 PM | Free | Details
🎨 Holiday Artisan & Crafter Market – Best local food trucks, bakery, artisans, crafters at Downtown Melbourne Farmer's Market at Riverview Park, 2400 Riverview Drive, Melbourne. Contact vendors through page @Viera Park Market & Food Trucks. | 10 AM–2 PM | Free | Details
🎵 Sunset Saturday Concert: Ocean Drive – Grab your lawn chairs, bring friends, dance the night away! Free concert series at Humiston Park, Vero Beach. Vero Beach Chamber tent with Southern Eagle beer and wine. | 5–8 PM | Free | Details
🏃 2025 Palm Beach Marathon – Join the marathon in beautiful downtown West Palm Beach at Flagler Drive. Runs Dec 13–14. | Sat 7 AM–Sun 2 PM | Ticketed | Details
Sunday, Dec 14
🎅 49th Annual JTAA Christmas Parade – "100 Years of Christmas Cheer: A Journey Through Time!" celebrating Jupiter's Centennial. Staging 1 PM, parade in Abacoa, Jupiter. | 1 PM | Free | Details
⛵ Vero Beach Christmas Boat Parade - Save the Date! – Indian River Lagoon comes alive with dazzling lights and holiday cheer! Boat staging begins at 5:30 PM north of Merrill P. Barber Bridge. Parade begins at 6 PM. Best viewing spots: City Marina, Riverside Park, Cole Coppola Memorial Fishing Pier, A.W. Young Park, Royal Palm Pointe Park in Vero Beach. | 6–9 PM | Free | Details
If you have an event, send it to me here
🧾 Last Drop: Bills Flights and Bills!
🎫 School bus camera appeals fail 90% of time – Judge says state law gives no discretion for warnings or context. Nearly 300,000 statewide citations issued. Camera appeals
✈️ JetBlue lands in Vero Wednesday – Twice-daily service to NYC and Boston starts Dec. 11. American adds Charlotte route in February, pushing airport gate capacity. JetBlue
🗺️ House opens redistricting fight despite delay push – Thursday committee meeting lasted under 30 minutes, no public comment. Chair says spring delay "irresponsible" with April qualifying. Redistricting
🛫 Treasure Coast airport pushed to March – Commercial flights now projected March 2026, airline announcement early 2026. TSA delays blamed on 43-day government shutdown. Airport delays
🐻 Bear hunt underway through Dec. 28 – First hunt in decade started Saturday with 172 permits. Advocates secured 52 permits (30%) to keep unused. Judge denied injunction attempt. Bear hunt
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