🌅 🏎️ Go-karts & glow golf hit Jensen

Good Morning, Sunland

It’s Wednesday! Quick reminder before we dive in! If you’re enjoying this newsletter, share it with a friend. The referrals lately have been insane (in the best way), and honestly, it’s still my favorite way to grow. I can run ads, build landing pages, do all the things, but nothing beats hearing someone say, “My friend sent me this.” So thank you for spreading the word. I appreciate you.

🌱 Support Sunland: Shoutout to everyone keeping this local project alive and independent by joining the People Pass. Want to help fuel future stories, tools, and community projects? Tap in here: buymeacoffee.com/sunland/membership

🌡️ Weather Update 
Heat, humidity, and stormy before the night winds settle in

⛈️ Day: High of 90°F | ⛅ Variable clouds with afternoon thunderstorms likely
🌙 Night: Low of 74°F | 🌥️ A few storms may linger early, then mostly cloudy skies
🌅 Sunrise: 6:27 AM | 🌇 Sunset: 8:10 PM
🌔 Moonrise at 7:35 AM | 🌔 Moonset at 10:21 PM
🎵 Sounds like: “Betcha By Golly Wow” – The Stylistics 💐🌦️

🏡 Main Squeeze
New Indoor Adventure Park Opens in Time for Summer

Elev8 Fun, a massive new indoor adventure park, is now open at Treasure Coast Square in Jensen Beach. It takes over the old Sears spot at the south end of the mall and brings go-karts, bowling, laser tag, and glow-in-the-dark mini golf all under one roof, and yes, all under A/C.

💥 What’s Inside:

• Electric go-karts that hit 35 mph

• 140+ arcade games

• Laser tag, bowling, escape rooms

• Prize redemption center

• Glow-in-the-dark mini golf

🛠️ What’s Coming Soon:

• A full food hall

• Bar and beer garden

• Trampoline park (yes, really)

📍 Location: 3343 NW Federal Highway, Jensen Beach
🕒 Hours: Open late every day (till 11 p.m. or 1 a.m. on weekends)
💵 Pricing: No admission fee. Attractions priced individually (e.g. $13 for mini golf or laser tag, $27 for go-karts)

📣 Why it matters: With school letting out next week and the temps creeping up, this gives families, and even date-night couples, a new option to play indoors without breaking the bank. It’s one of the biggest units in the mall at 120,000 square feet, and it’s part of a growing trend of repurposing retail into entertainment.

🎟️ More info & promos: elev8fun.com
Let me know if you’ve been already or plan to check it out!

🍊 Press Round
📍 Developments on the Rise

🏘️ Two Housing Projects, Two Different Outcomes in Fort Pierce

City commissioners approved a 30-unit apartment complex in White City but rejected a 60-unit proposal in west Fort Pierce. Both developers requested increased density, but only one got a green light, with Mayor Linda Hudson serving as the swing vote in both decisions.

👉 See What Passed and What Didn’t

🦫 Buc-ee’s Still in the Works for St. Lucie County

The mega travel center is still waiting on final approvals before construction begins at the Indrio Road I-95 interchange. If greenlit, it would be Buc-ee’s southernmost Florida location, opening as early as 2026.

👉 Read the Update

🏨 New Hotel Proposed for North Jenkins Road

A four-story, 122-room WoodSpring Suites could be coming to Jenkins Road near Okeechobee in Fort Pierce. The Planning Board unanimously supported the extended-stay hotel, which would include full kitchens, workspaces, and laundry. The project is designed to blend with the surrounding residential area and includes new sidewalk connections and buffer walls.

👉 Get the Details

Join the Mission and support Sunland News and help fuel the goal of delivering smarter, faster very, very local news that keeps you informed on what’s unfolding here.

💡 Why it matters: Your support allows me to keep St. Lucie County informed and engaged through the daily Sunland News newsletter—and sets the stage for tackling bigger, in-depth reporting projects in the near future.

🎁 What’s in it for you: Exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes insights, and other perks as we grow (bookstore and otherwise) this community together.

👉 Check it out here!

🍾 Refill
Mets Big W

Yesterday we began a six-game series against the Palm Beach Cardinals. We’re still first in the division, but they’re right behind us so these games matter a bit more for us. Fret not, I’m here to bring you some good news… We closed out the game with the W. Final score: 6-2. Now let me say, 6 runs is great, but if you check the box score, the star of the show was Wellington Aracena. He pitched 5 innnings with 0 earned runs, 2 walks, and 10 strikeouts! Incredible performance! A big win, but as the late, great Kobe would say, “Job’s not finished.” We still have to play them five more times, but I trust our guys will come out on top! LGM! - Darius “odgtm” Garrido

Let’s Go Mets! Check the full box score here

🎉 This Weekend Around Town: Frid, Sat, Sun

• 🦸‍♀️ Character Breakfast in Fort Pierce
  Enjoy a family-style hot breakfast and meet beloved fairytale characters. Sessions at 9 AM & 10:30 AM. | Saturday, May 31 | 9 AM–11:30 AM | 🎟️ Tickets

• 🎬 Friday Drive-In Movie: JAWS
  Grab your snacks and settle in for a classic movie under the stars at Seaway Drive. | Friday, May 30 | 8:15 PM | 🎟️ Get Tickets

• 🎨 Artisan Market Launch in Fort Pierce
  Kick off a brand-new downtown market with handcrafted goods, vintage treasures, and more. | Saturday, May 31 | 8 AM–1 PM | Free | Details

• 👽 Saturday Drive-In Movie: The Day the Earth Blew Up
  Watch the newest Looney Tunes sci-fi comedy from your car at the Fort Pierce waterfront. | Saturday, May 31 | 8:30 PM | 🎟️ Get Tickets

• 🌸 Tint & Bloom – Flower Class at Artisan Market
  Create colorful mini flower arrangements with expert tips from Air & Petals. Materials provided! | Thursday, May 29 | 7 PM–8 PM | 🎟️ Reserve Spot

• 💦 Splash Pad Fun & Popsicles in Tradition
  Cool off with free popsicles and splash play in Tradition Square—perfect for kids! | Friday, May 30 | 11 AM–12 PM | Free | Details

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

💧 The Last Drop
🚨 Streets, Shores & Shelter

1. 🚴 Cyclists are celebrating a major safety win after FDOT repaved over dangerous rumble strips on A1A. Group rides are back on — at least until Sebastian Inlet. 👉 Read More

2. 🌊 Only 13 of the Treasure Coast’s 39 public beaches have lifeguards. Officials urge families to swim at guarded beaches this weekend, especially in St. Lucie County where only two are covered. 👉 Stay Safe

3. 🚌 Two new ADA-compliant Dignity Buses are coming to Orlando thanks to a Vero Beach nonprofit. Each mobile shelter offers safe overnight rest, privacy, and a shot at stability. 👉 Meet the Buses

📸 This is Sunland: ✌️ Before I go

Until next time…

Had so much fun at J’Qwan’s screening over the weekend. Caught this beautiful moment during the Q&A! Hopefully there’s another screening soon so more folks get a chance to experience the work firsthand. Until then, be well, and keep showing up for each other.

See you tomorrow!
With Love, Ja’Min

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