🌅 🚂 FP May Drop Waste Management

Good Morning, Sunland

It's Wednesday! and let's jump right in!

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👁️ Caught my eye: Fort Pierce marina has live webcams – Watch sunrise, boats, and waterfront activity via three feeds: Jetty Inlet, Marina North, Marina South. Available 24/7 online. Marina webcams

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☁️ Weather Update: Generally cloudy.

☀️ Day: High of 69°F | Generally cloudy. 24% chance of rain
🌙 Night: Low of 58°F | Cloudy skies this evening. Winds N at 10-20 mph.
🌅 Sunrise: 7:27 AM | 🌇 Sunset: 7:32 PM
🌙 Moonrise: 7:06 AM | 🌚 Moonset: 7:23 PM
🎶 Sounds like: "I Wanna Be Your Man" — Zapp & Roger

Ja’Min Devon

Fort Pierce approves Waste Management contract, signals it won't renew

Fort Pierce commissioners approved a $1.65 million contract with Waste Management on Monday but made clear they're done with the company after next year over Miami trash trains running through downtown.

Why it matters: The city had to approve the annual expenditure under its existing contract, which runs through March 2027. But commissioners used the vote to signal future intent.

What happened: The contract passed 4 to 1, with Commissioner Michael Broderick casting the only no vote. The city attorney clarified the commission had no wiggle room because the contract already exists.

Broderick's position: "I will not approve spending one penny to the benefit of Waste Management or FEC. They both should be taken out behind the woodshed and have the crap beaten out of them."

He referenced a meeting six months ago where WM representatives told him "there's nothing you can do about it, so sit down and shut up"
Broderick has vowed to vote no on anything benefiting WM or FEC

The trash train issue: Waste Management ships 2,500 tons of Miami trash daily through Fort Pierce after Miami-Dade's incinerator burned down in February 2023. The trains arrive at the FEC rail yard near downtown, then trucks haul trash the final 30 miles to Okeechobee.

Residents near the rail yard report foul smells, rats, bugs, and coyotes. The rail corridor is federally regulated, leaving the city with few options.

What's next: City Manager Richard Chess told commissioners he already informed WM the city isn't considering renewal. The city will begin soliciting bids from other landfill operators, including St. Lucie and Indian River counties.

💬 Should Fort Pierce end its contract with Waste Management? Leave your thoughts here.

🏠 Press Round: Deadlines and Dollars

🏗️ Indian River Mall Demolition Starting Soon

Demolition at Indian River Mall is starting in the next few weeks to turn the old Sears and Macy's wings into a 250,000 square foot outdoor retail hub with Sprouts Farmers Market confirmed as a tenant. The food court and AMC Theater on the west side stay open during construction, with the full project expected to finish between 2027 and 2028.

👉 Read more (CBS12)

🦀 Fort Pierce Gives Crabby's Owners Until April 8

Fort Pierce gave Beachside Hospitality Group until April 8 to find someone to take over the Crabby's Dockside lease or the city will terminate it, take legal action and start bidding for a new tenant. The owners owe over $90,000 in back rent since October plus $132,000 in property taxes the city billed them for all at once in 2025, though Commissioner Michael Broderick said the city shares some blame for how the tax billing was handled.

👉 Read more (WPTV)

🏭 Treasure Coast Polluters Got Millions in Tax Breaks

Treasure Coast industrial facilities released an average of 225 tons of toxic air pollutants yearly from 2015 to 2024, with the biggest sources being Turbocombustor Technology in Stuart, FPL's Indiantown plant, and boat builders Maverick and Pursuit in St. Lucie County, according to a TCPalm analysis of EPA data. The companies received millions in tax abatements and grants to build or expand facilities, with Maverick and Pursuit getting nearly $1.1 million in property tax breaks and Turbocombustor receiving $450,000 from Martin County before the grant was terminated when promised jobs didn't materialize.

👉 Read more (TCPalm subscription may be required)

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🎉 Weekender: Mar 20 - Mar 22

Friday, March 20

🎵 Friday Bites & Beats – Food trucks, live DJ, artisan vendors, and kid-friendly fun every third Friday at Tradition Square, Port St. Lucie. | 5–9 PM | Free | Details
🎩 Masters of Illusion – World-class award-winning magicians bring jaw-dropping grand illusions and comedy magic to Sunrise Theatre, Fort Pierce. | Fri, Mar 20, 8 PM | Doors 7 PM | From $52.50 | Tickets

Saturday, March 21

😂 Hannah Berner: None of My Business Tour – NYT bestselling author and Netflix comedian brings her sold-out stand-up tour to Sunrise Theatre, Fort Pierce. | Sat, Mar 21, 7 PM | Doors 6 PM | From $44.50 | Tickets
🏃 Manatee Center 5K – 18th annual "Run with a View" along the Indian River waterfront at 480 N Indian River Dr, Fort Pierce. Includes 1-mile route and Kids Run. | 7:45 AM | Sign Up
🎬 Saturday Drive-In Movie Night – Zootopia 2 – Family drive-in movie night at Treasure Coast Park and Watch, 601 Seaway Dr, Fort Pierce. | Gates 7 PM, Movie 8 PM | $19/vehicle | Tickets
💃 A Night in Havana – 1950s Havana-themed evening with 12-piece Latin orchestra, dinner, and casino games at Pelican Yacht Club, Fort Pierce. | 6–11 PM | $135 | Tickets
🐣 Easter Bash 2026 – Family Easter celebration with egg hunts, bounce houses, face painting, food, and the Easter Bunny at Palm Lake Park, 5011 Palm Dr, Fort Pierce. | 11 AM | Free | Details

If you have an event, send it to me here

💧 The Last Drop: Civic Catch Up!

📋 Fort Pierce seeks Civil Service Appeals Board members – City Commission recruiting residents with HR, personnel management, or organizational leadership experience. Third Wednesday meetings 3pm, appeal hearings as needed 6pm. Board applications
🚌 ART Route 6 bus stops temporarily relocated – Starting Monday, March 23, stops at SE Floresta/Cavern and SE Floresta/Verada closed for PSL road construction. Temporary stop at SE Preston/Crosstown Parkway. Route changes
🐰 PSL Easter Bunny Breakfast March 28 – Ages 6 and younger event 9:30-11am at Community Center (2195 SE Airoso Blvd). $10 per person, all attendees need ticket. Easter breakfast