Good Morning, Sunland
It's Wednesday! Let’s dive right in!
In today's newsletter:
💚 Thrive IRC opening 24-7 substance abuse recovery hub in Vero Beach
⚖️ IRSC professor's discrimination suit moves forward after wrongful termination
🐻 400-pound black bear struck and killed on Martin Highway
🗑️ Fort Pierce installing 93 new smart trash cans downtown
🏃 Port St. Lucie launches first July 4th 5K race this weekend
⛈️ Weather Update: Scattered storms throughout the day, clearing overnight.
☀️ Day: High of 88°F | Scattered showers and thunderstorms.
🌙 Night: Low of 76°F | Rain showers this evening with 40% chance of rain.
🌅 Sunrise: 6a:30 AM | 🌇 Sunset: 8:20 PM
🌙 Moonrise: 9:53 PM | 🌚 Moonset: 7:44 AM
🎶 Sounds like: "Caught Up in the Rapture" — Anita Baker
Ja'Min Devon
Founder & Publisher, Sunland News
Press Round: Recovery, Rights & Roadways
💚 Thrive IRC to Operate Substance Abuse Recovery Hub in Vero Beach
The Indian River Hospital District approved a three-year lease allowing Thrive IRC to transform a vacant 10th Street building into a 24-7 substance abuse recovery and mental health services hub. The nonprofit will pay no rent in exchange for meeting operational and reporting requirements, including quarterly capital campaign updates and measurable outcomes on people served and connected to treatment. Within 215 days of the July 1 start date, Thrive must begin operating centralized intake and recovery housing services. The agreement includes an option for Thrive to purchase the property if it meets lease requirements, with the sale price determined through appraisal.
👉 Read more (WQCS)
⚖️ IRSC Professor Sues Over 2024 Termination, Clears Motion to Dismiss
A federal judge denied motions to dismiss a discrimination suit filed by Syed Ammar Ahmed, a former Indian River State College political science instructor fired in March 2024 after the college received an alert he appeared on a "Homeland Security database due to terrorist threats." The college later determined the database didn't exist and the only evidence was a 2010 Facebook post Ahmed made as a teenager. IRSC drafted an apology and reinstatement letter after realizing he was wrongfully terminated but didn't send it until August 2024 when his lawyers indicated legal action. Ahmed's civil rights claim is moving to trial.
👉 Read more (TCPalm subscription may be required)
🐻 400-Pound Black Bear Struck and Killed on Martin Highway
A 400-pound male black bear was killed Monday morning after being struck by a vehicle on Southwest Martin Highway near Warfield Boulevard. The motorist stopped immediately, remained at the scene and called the Sheriff's Office. The driver was not injured but startled by the collision. Florida Fish and Wildlife removed the bear from the roadway. Authorities urged motorists to remain alert along that stretch, particularly during early morning and evening hours when wildlife frequently enters the roadway. Recent reports have also noted black bear sightings in other Treasure Coast areas including Tradition.
👉 Read more (WQCS)
🎉 Weekender: (A TON) Events for the Weekend!
Friday, July 3
🌿 Olive Branch Outdoor Market – 3750 NE Indian River Dr, Jensen Beach. | 4 PM | Details
🎵 The Holidazed Live at Tipsy Tiki – 658 N 2nd St, Fort Pierce. | 7 PM | Details
🎵 Salty Bottom Boys at Frazier Creek – Frazier Creek Brewing and Distilling Co., Stuart. | 7 PM | Details
🎨 First Friday Art Walk – Frazier Creek Brewing and Distilling Co., Stuart. | 5 PM | Details
🎵 Beartoe Live at The Funky Cuda – 109 Fishermans Wharf, Fort Pierce. | 6 PM | Details
🎸 CHEMISTRY Hosts Rockin 80s Dance Party at Charlie's – Charlie's Neighborhood Bar and Grill. | 8 PM | Details
🕺 Rezen8 Holiday Kickoff Bash at Tako Tiki – Tako Tiki, Jensen Beach. | 7:30 PM | Details
🎸 EMO Night 772: Red White and Emo at Pickled – Pickled Restaurant and Bar, Fort Pierce. | 9 PM | Details
Saturday, July 4
🎆 Stars Over St. Lucie and City of Fort Pierce 125th Birthday Bash – Marina Square, Fort Pierce. | 4 PM | Details
🎆 Red, White and Boom 4th of July – SW Tradition Square, Port St. Lucie. | 5 PM | Details
🎆 4th of July Golf Cart Parade – Downtown Stuart. | 10 AM | Details
⛵ 4th of July Patriotic Boat Parade and Blessing of the Fleet – 700 N Indian River Dr, Fort Pierce. | 11 AM | Details
🌴 Caribbean Explosion 4th of July – US Hwy 1, Port St. Lucie. | 2 PM | Details
🎵 4th of July on Hutchinson Island – 555 NE Ocean Blvd, Stuart. | 11 AM | Details
🍖 4th of July Brisket Picnic and Anthem Trumpet on the Deck – 809 Delaware Ave, Fort Pierce. | 2 PM | Details
🎵 4th of July with The Little Things Duo – 1830 NE Jensen Beach Blvd, Jensen Beach. | 3 PM | Details
🎵 Wailin at Waldo's – Waldo Driftwood, Vero Beach. | 1 PM | Details
🎵 Crazyhorses Neil Young Tribute at Terra Fermata – Terra Fermata Tiki Bar, Stuart. | 7 PM | Details
🎵 Beck's Brotherhood at Rockin Riverwalk Downtown Stuart – Stuart. | 7:45 PM | Details
🎵 Sunrise City 4th of July Live at Tipsy Tiki – Tipsy Tiki, Fort Pierce. | 7 PM | Details
🎵 Johnny Debt Live at Tipsy Tiki – 658 N 2nd St, Fort Pierce. | 2 PM | Details
🎵 Full Band 4th of July at Pirates Cove Stuart – Pirate's Cove Resort and Marina, Stuart. | 8 PM | Details
🎵 Coverup Rocking Conchy Joe's 4th of July – Conchy Joe's Seafood Restaurant, Jensen Beach. | 8 PM | Details
🎵 Rockin Rx at Archie's Seabreeze – Archie's Seabreeze, Fort Pierce. | 6 PM | Details
🎉 Temptation Day Party – Bleu Clarinet, Fort Pierce. | 3 PM | Details
Sunday, July 5
🎵 Singers Sunday – 223 Orange Ave, Fort Pierce. | 2 PM | Details
🎵 Andrew Morris Band Live at Little Jim's – Little Jim Bait and Tackle, Fort Pierce. | 3 PM | Details
🐾 Yappy Hour Sundays – Pierced Ciderworks, Fort Pierce. | 12 PM | Details
🎵 An Outlaw Country Night with Raelyn Nelson – 825 NE Ocean Blvd, Stuart. | 5 PM | Details
🎵 Live Jazz Sunday Brunch – 809 Delaware Ave, Fort Pierce. | 11 AM | Details
🎵 Samantha Russell Duo Debut at Frazier Creek – Frazier Creek Brewing and Distilling Co., Stuart. | 2 PM | Details
🎵 The Jake Hair Band Live at Skipper's Cove – Skippers Cove Bar and Grill, Fort Pierce. | 5 PM | Details
If you have an event, send it to me here
💧 The Last Drop: July 4th Closures, New Trash Cans, Freedomfest 5K
🏛️ St. Lucie County offices closed July 2-3 – County observing Independence Day and America's 250th birthday. Libraries close at 5 p.m. July 2, reopen July 6. Oxbow Eco-Center closed July 2-4. History Center and Aquarium closed July 4. Parks, pools, trails remain open. Info
🗑️ Fort Pierce installing 93 new Bigbelly trash receptacles – Permanent smart trash cans coming to Downtown Fort Pierce, River Walk, and Jetty Park. Installation begins July 6-9, 2026. Lincoln Park not included in initial rollout. Details
🏃 Port St. Lucie launches first July 4th 5K – Race begins 7 a.m. at MIDFLORIDA Event Center. Registration $35-60 depending on date. Register
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