Good Morning, Sunland! It’s Monday!

Hey, it’s Ja’Min, and this is Sunland News—the newsletter that feels like being stuck inside with family during a hurricane, while everything rages outside. But hey, the power's still on, so the music, food, and games are still going strong.

I just want to say thank you! Sunland News has hit 1,000 subscribers, and I couldn’t be more proud to say I write this newsletter for thousands of locals. Thank you to every single one of you. I truly appreciate it!

Before we dive in, Hurricane Milton is projected to intensify quickly as it absorbs the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

In a Sunday night update, the National Hurricane Center stated that Milton is expected to escalate into a major hurricane, with sustained winds of at least 111 mph, within the next 24 hours. I will do my best in this newsletter and after to update and inform you of all the worthwhile information to get ready for the storm. If you scroll down I have some useful information.

-Ja’Min Brown
Writer, Filmmaker, and Publisher | SLN

Sunland News in 5 Seconds 📬

Get Ready for Hurricane Milton ⛈️
New Taco Dive in Saint Lucie West 🌮
Treasure Coast Airport Cleared for Commercial Flights ✈️

📚 Read Time: 5 Minutes

Are you worried about Hurricane Milton?

Weather TL;DR: "I Can’t Stand The Rain" Missy🎶
Cloudy skies with periods of rain and thunderstorms expected today. 🌧️⚡

🌞 Day: High of 79°F
🌜 Night: Low of 76°F
🌅 Sunrise: 7:17 AM
🌇 Sunset: 7:00 PM

🌧️ Rain: 80% chance during the day, 50% at night
💧 Humidity: Day - 87%, Night - 89%

Stay prepared for potential heavy rainfall! ☔

Check Full Weather Report Here

🌧️ Stay Prepared. Milton Storm Updates

Just get used to hearing the word Milton for the next week (or weeks)... The City of Port Saint Lucie, along with Saint Lucie County, is keeping a close eye on the storm, and so can you. Stay informed by signing up for emergency notifications at www.stlucieco.gov/alert. For detailed updates on the storm, visit www.nhc.noaa.gov.

Stay prepared with this Disaster Supply Kit Checklist from FDEM! It covers everything from general supplies like a two-week supply of medications and batteries, to first aid essentials, important documents, and pet care items.

You can find more preparedness tips at FloridaDisaster.org.

🚗Check the current traffic situation via Google.

🚤 TREASURE COAST AT LARGE

Port St. Lucie Jaguars End 14-Game Losing Streak in Dominating Fashion! 🏈

The Port St. Lucie Jaguars ended their 14-game losing streak with a commanding 58-27 win over the Tradition Prep Pirates. This marks their first victory since last season, and the 58 points were the most they’ve scored this year.

This win improves Port St. Lucie's record to 1-5, while Tradition Prep drops to 0-8. Up next, the Jaguars face Okeechobee, who are on a four-game losing streak, this Friday at 7:00 PM. Meanwhile, Tradition Prep will have a break before they take on St. John Paul II Academy on October 18th at 6:30 PM.

[Read More]

🍊 FLORIDA AT LARGE

New Taco Dive Coming to Saint Lucie West 🌮
Taco Dive is opening a brand-new location in Saint Lucie West, see here.
This will be a great add to to their existing Treasure Coast locations. But that’s not all – they’ve been expanding beyond the Treasure Coast and will soon open another location in downtown Melbourne this fall! 🎉

[Read More]

🌍 WORLD AT LARGE

Spirit Airlines Hits Record Low Amid Bankruptcy Talks 💼

The company has struggled since the pandemic, grappling with shifting consumer behavior, increased costs, and a recall of Pratt & Whitney engines. After a planned acquisition by JetBlue was blocked earlier this year, Spirit has been on its own in a challenging market. In response, the airline has cut costs, including furloughing pilots and deferring new Airbus orders. Despite these efforts, Spirit reported a $193 million loss in the second quarter of 2024.

[Learn More]

Treasure Coast Airport Cleared for Takeoff: Commercial Passenger Flights Coming Soon!

The snowbirds are all but packed after hearing the news that Treasure Coast International Airport has officially received the OK for commercial passenger flights. This means that for the first time, aircraft with more than 30 seats will be able to service the Treasure Coast area, thanks to the recent certification by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Imagine a day when you can wake up and head right over to the Treasure Coast airport to catch a flight to anywhere in the world. While the airport will initially focus on smaller regional airlines, offering service to destinations in the Northeast and Midwest, the potential for growth is significant. In fact, this certification lays the groundwork for expanded travel options, including domestic and possibly international flights in the future.

As the county begins negotiating with airlines, there are already talks with two potential carriers, one larger and one smaller, that could bring a variety of destinations to the region. Changes are also underway at the airport to accommodate this new era of passenger travel, including adding TSA checkpoints, passenger gates, and baggage facilities.

Of course, with growth comes challenges. The conversation around traffic and congestion near the airport will likely become a topic of discussion as the area continues to expand. But this is an exciting step forward for the Treasure Coast, opening up a whole new world of possibilities for residents and visitors alike.

Where would you like to fly from Treasure Coast? I personally wouldn’t mind a direct flight to New York!

📸 This is Sunland!

My heart has been heavy… My friend Kay took these photos of my mom’s classmate, Derek Bennet. He was laid to rest this weekend, and these are some of the last images of him. I keep staring at the picture every day as I write Sunland News, because it’s a clear reminder of why Sunland News exists. When all else fails, Sunland News exists to document the people of this beautiful place, Saint Lucie County, and we must remember that. If we don’t, no one will.

With love,
Ja’Min

All events are subject to change due to storm…

📋 City Commission Regular Meeting - Consent Agenda Highlights

🗓️ Date: October 7, 2024 | 5:05 PM
📍 Location: 4302 Gator Trace Dr, Fort Pierce, FL 34982

The City Commission will review several key items in the consent agenda, including: Approval of Lease Amendment with the Boys and Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County for the Human Development and Resource Center Gymnasium. Approval of Construction Contract for Frances Avenue Roadway Improvements. Approval of Expenditure for new golf course maintenance equipment, totaling $97,000 annually. Approval of Blanket Purchase Orders for Public Works, ensuring efficient facility maintenance, with a total budget of $3.65 million. Small Business Grants to local businesses, including Brighter Care Adult Daycare Center and Taps Multi Services, each receiving grants not to exceed $5,000.

🌅 Networking Breakfast

🗓️ Date: October 8th, 2024 | 8:15 AM
📍 Location: 4302 Gator Trace Dr, Fort Pierce, FL 34982
Start your morning off right with a hot breakfast and the company of local professionals at this month’s Networking Breakfast, hosted by the St. Lucie County Chamber of Commerce. It’s a great opportunity to connect with community-minded individuals and expand your business network in a relaxed setting.

Note: RSVP is required.

[Learn More]

🎨 Paint Night @ Islamorada Brewery & Distillery

📅 Date: October 8th, 2024 | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
📍 Islamorada Brewery & Distillery, Fort Pierce, FL
3200 St. Lucie Blvd, Fort Pierce, FL

Unleash your creativity with a fun-filled paint night at Islamorada Brewery & Distillery! 🎨

You'll get to paint your very own 15” door hanger round or Standing Pumpkin Shelf Sitter, guided step-by-step by experts. No prior experience is needed, and all supplies are included! Whether you come alone or with friends, this is the perfect way to have some creative fun.

🖌️ What to expect:

• Choose from a variety of designs

• Paint on 1/4 birch wood with a layered design

• Paint inside the brewery (food and drinks available for purchase)

[Learn More]

🔗 MEDWeek in the Treasure Coast Business Matchmaker Conference & B2B Expo

📅 Date: October 10th, 2024 | 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM EDT
📍 Port St. Lucie Community Center
2195 Southeast Airoso Boulevard, Port St. Lucie, FL 34984

Join an extraordinary day of networking, learning, and collaboration at Florida's MEDWeek in the Treasure Coast Financial Power Lunch & B2B Matchmaker Conference. This premier event is designed to bring together entrepreneurs, business owners, and professionals from various industries to connect, share insights, and explore new growth opportunities.

[Read More]