🌅 🕵️ Fort Pierce Seeks New Chief

Good Morning, Sunland

It’s Monday! And thank you doesn’t even begin to cover it.

Almost a year since I started this newsletter, and the support you’ve shown has been overwhelming in the best way.

To the people who have been reading since day one and to everyone new here, I appreciate you deeply. I’ve been staying up late, waking up early, and putting everything I have into making Sunland News stronger, building more community, and sending out every gift I promised for sharing the newsletter.

Thank you for being patient. I’ve got you. I won’t let you down! Alright…

🌡️ Weather: Wet start, mellow finish.

🌦️ Day: High 87°F | Thunderstorms likely AM, scattered PM. Rain chance 70%.
🌙 Night: Low 76°F | Partly cloudy. Winds E 10–15 mph.
🌅 Sunrise: 6:27 AM | 🌇 Sunset: 8:19 PM
🌘 Moon: Waning Crescent | 🌔 3:30 AM | 🌒 5:41 PM
🎶 Sounds like: Sometimes It Snows In April by Prince

Sponsored: Before Port St. Lucie was even a city, the Yates family was here.

What began as a small funeral home and ambulance service in 1935 has grown into one of the most trusted names in the region. Still family-owned, still community-first.

We’re honored to welcome Yates Funeral Home to the Sunland News family.

🏡 Main Squeeze: 🕵️ Police Chief Search Underway

📍TL;DR: Fort Pierce has officially begun the search for its next police chief. The city has hired a Tallahassee-based executive recruitment firm to lead the process, which is expected to take up to four months.

🧭 Where We Are Now: City Manager Richard Chess announced that Fort Pierce will work with S. Renee Narloch & Associates, a search firm specializing in senior public sector roles. The firm will be paid $24,450, with up to $4,500 in reimbursable expenses.

Their role includes recruiting, vetting, and preparing a finalist pool for Chess to choose from. The City Commission must consent to the final hire, per the city charter.

👮‍♂️ Why It Matters: The position opened after former Police Chief Diane Hobley-Burney resigned on May 19 following internal turmoil and public scrutiny. Her resignation becomes effective August 17, but she’s currently on leave and still being paid. Deputy Chief Robert Ridle is serving as acting chief in the meantime. He plans to retire next year and is not seeking the permanent role.

🗣 Public Involvement?: Some commissioners have suggested hosting a public meet-and-greet with the final candidates, though the charter gives hiring authority to the city manager. As of now, there is no formal plan for public engagement.

🧩 Background: Hobley-Burney led the department for 10 years but faced growing criticism from commissioners, findings from an outside review, and a union survey suggesting a lack of officer confidence in her leadership. We covered her resignation in May.

There were also internal issues that came to light earlier this year. A February WPTV investigation reported on mismanaged evidence that led to some criminal cases being dropped.

📎 What’s Next: The recruitment process is underway and expected to take about four months. The firm will screen applicants and help with the final negotiation, but the ultimate decision will rest with City Manager Chess.

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📝 Leave your thoughts: Let us know what you want to see.

🍊 Press Round: Budget Cuts & Free Lunch

📚 Indian River Cuts Jobs to Save $1.2M:

The school district is eliminating 15 admin roles and reassigning principals in a budget move taking effect July 1. The shakeup is expected to save $1.2M and follows $7.3M in previous cuts.

👉 Full story

🥪 Free Summer Meals for Kids & Teens:

St. Lucie Public Schools is offering free meals all summer long for anyone 18 or younger, no ID or registration required. Dozens of schools across the county are participating. 📍 Locations include: Fort Pierce Westwood, PSL High, Gaines Academy, Minsky Gym + more

📄 Full list & flyer (PDF)

🏡 Martin County Considers Guest Homes for Housing Relief:

Officials may allow homeowners to rent out guest houses to ease the affordable housing shortage. Supporters say it’s a low-impact way to boost inventory.

👉 Read more

😤 “Finding out there’s a development coming to Fort Pierce… from a comment section.”

We saw that TikTok comment.. and honestly? That’s exactly why we write Sunland News. You shouldn’t have to find out about big changes in your city while scrolling through memes.

🧠 That’s the mission: We break down city meetings, local projects, events, and public plans in plain English—no noise, no politics, no paywall. Just real news for real people who live here.

🌻 Help us grow it: Become a People Pass member for $9/month. You’ll be fueling independent, people-first news in Saint Lucie County and helping us keep it free for everyone.

🎉 Weekdayer: Some Monday - Friday Events!

Monday, June 23 

• 🧘 Yoga Mondays at Pierced Ciderworks – Stretch into the week with cider yoga. Bring a mat, get $1 off your drink with $5 donation. | 6:15–7 PM | Free + Optional Donation | More Info

• 🎨 Tour the Peacock House Art Foundation – Take a casual $6 tour of this cozy gallery space filled with local art and stories. | 11 AM–12 PM | $6 | More Info

Tuesday, June 24 

• ☕ Business B4 Breakfast – Early morning networking hosted by the Stuart/Martin County Chamber at Harbor Place PSL. | 7:45 AM | Free | Check it out

• 🎶 Midweek Magic at Don Marcy’s Cantina – Live music, dancing, karaoke, and Latin flavor all in one place. | 6–10 PM | Free | Give it a shot

• 🥣 Business Bowl & Breakfast – Morning networking over hot breakfast, hosted by the Chamber. | 8:15 AM | RSVP Required | Join in

Wednesday, June 25 

• 🎥 Covering the Bases – Live at SLCTV – A free live interview taping with a local featured athlete. | 12–1 PM | Free | Watch it

If you have an event, send it to me here
Want more events? Go here

💧 The Last Drop: 📌 Quick Hits Before You Go

1. 🖤 Did You Catch the Lights? Port St. Lucie’s Juneteenth celebration ended with a full light show over the crowd. Watch it here

2. 🚧 Road Closures Updated St. Lucie County just posted the latest roadwork schedule. Check before you drive. View the log

3. 🌿 Want to Help Clean Up the Fort? The Keep Fort Pierce Beautiful board is taking applications right now. Apply here | Watch the recap

📸 This is Sunland: ✌️ Before I go

Thank You To Everyone Here!

See you tomorrow!
With Love, Ja’Min

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