Good Morning, Sunland
It’s Tuesday! Let’s jump right in!
Weird State: Veggie prices spike 38.8%… Wholesale costs hit hardest jump in years. Groceries could follow Why it’s up
🍽️ 772 Eats: If you’re looking for more spots to try, check out 772eats.com. It’s a local food guide I built so you can find new favorites, save them, and keep track of what you want to try next. The first 100 restaurants are free, and the full guide and journal are there if you want more.
Ja’Min Devon
Sponsored: 🍗 Stoney’s Summer Specials
Stoney is stretching your dollars and your belly. That $5 Tuesday Snack Pack? Now it runs Tuesday and Wednesday.
That means three days of full meals for under $10… in 2025. I know. Unheard of.
That’s why I’m so happy to share this, and even happier that Stoney’s is sponsoring the newsletter. Support those who support us.
📍 912 N 25th St, Fort Pierce
📞 772-595-2406
🍴 Check the menu here
🍋 The Main Squeeze: Fort Pierce Trash Bills Going Up 17% Starting October
Why it matters: Your monthly solid waste bill is jumping from $29 to $34, the first increase since 2016, as the city struggles with aging equipment, illegal dumping, and skyrocketing repair costs.
By the numbers:
$2 million in new annual revenue expected
$552K spent on truck repairs this year (budgeted only $350K)
6 new trucks and 8 additional staff positions planned
4 cubic yards of yard debris included monthly
2 cubic yards of bulk items included monthly
The fine print: Go over those limits and you'll pay extra, $6 per cubic yard for excess yard waste, $10 per cubic yard for excess bulk items like furniture.
What's changing: The city plans to alternate pickup weeks (yard debris one week, bulk items the next) to save on disposal costs, since mixed waste costs $49/ton vs. $27/ton for yard debris alone.
The controversy: Commissioner Gaines worried about vacant lot owners getting stuck with bills when others illegally dump on their property. "I don't want elderly property owners who are in nursing homes to get stuck with this bill," he said.
City's response: Public Works Director Jason Atkisson suggested victims could file police reports to get fees waived, but details need work.
What's next:
30-day multilingual education campaign starting now
QR codes on trucks linking to information
Outreach through churches and community groups
💬 What do you think about the trash rate increases? Leave thoughts here
📺 Watch the full meeting: fortpiercefl.new.swagit.com/videos/352808
People Pass!
From school coverage to better tools like play.sunlandnews.com, every upgrade you see is made possible by readers who pitch in.
🥳 What’s Happening: Out of Town Events
Wednesday, Aug 20
Thursday, Aug 21
Friday, Aug 22
🎷 Velvet Vibes Jazz After Dark – Live Jazz — Sweet Desires Dessert Lounge, Vero Beach. Weekly live saxophone jazz. | 7 PM – 10 PM | Free | Link
Saturday, Aug 23
🎸 90s–2000s Alternative Rock Concert in Riverside Park — Riverside Theatre “Live in the Loop,” Vero Beach. Outdoor show; full bars; come hungry. | 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM | Free | Link
If you have an event, send it to me here
Mets Update!
Another week. Another six-game series. We’re off to Jupiter to play the Palm Beach Cardinals today. We did happen to lose our last 3 games so let’s hope we get back on track this week 💪🏽 I have faith in our guys! Game starts at 6:30pm @ Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Good luck to the squad! Let’s Go Mets!
Darius “odgtm” Garrido
🧾 Last Drop: Fair(BATTLE)grounds!
Martin County Fair lease at risk… Missing paperwork could boot the fair from its home after 63 years. Deadline looms October 11 What’s happening
Stuart Commission meltdown… Project LIFT contract sparks shouting, walkouts, and a vote to toss the grant manager See the mess
PSL buys county building for $4.3M… City wants to turn it into downtown space with housing and a DMV Get the scoop
Florida Python hunters remove 294 snakes… Biggest catch was over 16 feet. Top hunter wins $10K See the winners
📉 Insurance market breathes a little… For the first time since 2015, Florida home insurers made more than they spent. Relief may finally be trickling down Read more
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