Good Morning, Sunland
It’s Monday! And I might have spoke it up... Last week on the Main Squeeze podcast (if you haven't listened, catch up here) I mentioned there wasn't any tropical storms or hurricanes yet this hurricane season... well.
⚠️ As of writing this: Tropical storm watch is in effect for coastal Indian River, St. Lucie, and Martin counties. Winds 15-25 mph with gusts to 30 mph, potentially reaching 39-57 mph. Keep up with the conditions and everything here.
💜 People Pass Shoutout: Heitor Tremura is now a member. "An incredibly thoughtful newsletter aimed at locals. The world needs more reporting like this”. Thank you to everyone supporting the work through the People Pass. Your support makes this possible. If you want to join, you can do that here: Join the People Pass here
🚨Weekend Beat: Over the weekend Sunland News broke the story that Nana Morrison's Soul Food Shuts Down in Port St. Lucie… Read more
🌧️ Weather Update: Watching the tropics.
☀️ Day: High of 85°F | Overcast with rain showers at times. 60% chance of rain.
🌙 Night: Low of 74°F | Partly cloudy. Winds WNW at 10-20 mph. 24% chance of rain.
🌅 Sunrise: 7:13 AM | 🌇 Sunset: 7:09 PM
🎶 Sounds like: "After the Love Has Gone" — Earth, Wind & Fire
Ja’Min Devon
📕 Sponsored: I got the guide, and so should you!
You can never plan too much. That’s why Yates Funeral Home is giving Sunland readers a free guide to help you make more thoughtful decisions for yourself or for loved ones. No pressure. Just helpful info.
🧃 The Main Squeeze: A Tale of Two..
St. Lucie's Teacher Up and Support Staff Up - ish
The 411: The same September board workshop that delivered raises for St. Lucie teachers still have support staff negotiating for contracts, highlighting vastly different compensation outcomes within the district.
Part I: Teachers Secure New Agreements
What happened: The September 23rd school board meeting approved multiple salary agreements between the district and teachers union, with all motions passing unanimously.
One-time retention bonus:
$665 for all eligible teachers (paid as $332.50 in December 2025 and $332.50 in May 2026)
Must have worked at least half the prior school year plus one day
Referendum supplements increased by $1,000 across all experience levels:
Beginning teachers: $3,000 (up from $2,000)
1-5 years: $3,454
6-9 years: $6,454
10-14 years: $9,254
15+ years: $11,854
State salary increases:
$415 additional for 10-month teachers
$457.35 for 11-month teachers
$529.34 for 12-month teachers
The catch: The referendum supplements sunsets after 2026-2027 unless St. Lucie County voters renew the property tax funding.
Part II: Support Staff Still Waiting
What's pending: While teachers celebrated new agreements, support staff represented by the Communication Workers of America (CWA) remain in negotiations. Superintendent Prince noted at the September meeting that CWA talks were still ongoing. At a recent board meeting, a CWA representative spoke about members facing housing instability, with some experiencing homelessness and inability to afford basic needs.
According to sources: Support staff are facing proposed salary increases described as inadequate, with examples shared including:
Campus safety monitors seeing raises of $0.09/hour after 19 years of service
Bus drivers receiving $0.23/hour increases after nearly two decades
Cafeteria cooks getting $0.08/hour raises after 10 years
The financial squeeze: Sources say many support staff face "no raise at all" when factoring in:
Healthcare premiums rising $100/month for some employees
HSA contributions cut from $750 to $500
Overall insurance cost increases
The contrast: A veteran teacher's $11,854 referendum supplement equals what a cafeteria cook making $17/hour would earn in about 14 weeks of full-time work.
What's next: CWA negotiations continue while teacher contracts are settled through January 2026. Support staff positions including cafeteria workers, bus drivers, and campus safety monitors await resolution.
🍊 Press Round: Thrift, Safety & Banks
💰Salvation Army Raises Thrift Store Prices
Rising labor costs, rent, and inflation forced the Salvation Army to increase prices at its Martin, St. Lucie, and Okeechobee county thrift stores starting September 18th. Captain James Milner says "donor fatigue" from Hurricane Milton and economic strain has reduced both cash and material donations, forcing the nonprofit to rely more heavily on store sales to fund services like the Compassion House shelter.
🚦Fort Pierce Adopts Citywide Traffic Safety Plan
The city commission approved a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan aimed at reducing transportation fatalities and serious injuries through improved pedestrian infrastructure, traffic calming measures, and targeted enforcement. City Manager Richard Chess says the plan positions Fort Pierce to secure federal funding for safety improvements on high-crash corridors and intersections.
🏢 Stuart Approves New Seacoast Bank Headquarters
City commissioners unanimously approved Seacoast Bank's plan to replace its 1961 headquarters with a modern three-story, 58,647-square-foot office building and parking garage at Colorado Avenue and Kindred Street. The 100-year-old bank needed variances to build in the Creek District arts overlay zone, with community support citing the bank's regional expansion and economic impact.
🎉 Weekdayer: 7 Events To Check Out This Week (Weather Permitting)!
Tuesday, Sep 30
Wednesday, Oct 1
💼 Career Expo Fall 2025 – Meet employers and explore job opportunities at Indian River State College. | 10 AM–2 PM | Free | Details
Friday, Oct 3
🎬 Drive In Horror Movie Nights – Double feature of Carrie and Saw X at Treasure Coast Park and Watch. | 7:30 PM | Ticketed | Details
🎉 Friday Fest Fort Pierce – Monthly street party with live music, food vendors, and arts at Marina Square. | 5:30–8:30 PM | Free | Details
🍻 Oktoberfest 2025 – Week-long Bavarian celebration with live music, German eats, and stein-raising at Sailfish Brewing. | 4 PM–7 PM | Free | Details
🍕 Food Trucks & Tributes – Journey tribute band with food trucks at Tradition Square. | 5–9 PM | Free | Details
If you have an event, send it to me here
📌 The Last Drop: Find You Way!
🦌 Manatee Center offers SNAP discounts – Fort Pierce facility joins Museums for All program providing reduced admission for families with SNAP benefits. Aims to put St. Lucie County on cultural map. Read more
🪧 Fort Pierce wayfinding signs complete – New district branding and parking signs installed across FPRA areas including Downtown, Peacock Arts District, and Fisherman's Wharf. Gateway entrance signs coming next. See signs
🛒 Community swap meet returns – St. Lucie County event October 11th, 7am-2pm at John B. Park Sports Complex. Free admission, $20 booth setup with pre-registration. Call to register
🎵 River Nights concerts return – Free Thursday evening shows start October 9th with The Resolvers, followed by The Groove 2.0 November 13th. Event Lawn at The Port 5:30pm. Concert schedule
📚 New PSL library groundbreaking – County breaks ground on $7.8M expansion adding 6,000 sq ft, makerspace, and study rooms. Expected to open 2027 with 50,000 items. Watch ceremony
📸 This is Sunland: ✌️ Sunrise for the Road!
Last week we gathered up some beautiful photos of Saint Lucie County that we posted here. I love seeing my home given the documentation it deserves! Look out for more of this! Alright..
See you tomorrow!
With Love, Ja’Min
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