Good Morning, Sunland
It’s Wednesday! Thank you all for being here!. Let's jump right in.
Alright…
🌡️ Weather Update: Warm, stormy, and humid.
🌦️ Day: High of 88°F | Morning showers, then scattered storms in the afternoon
🌙 Night: Low of 76°F | A few clouds, calm winds. Rain chance 24%.
🌅 Sunrise: 6:36 AM | 🌇 Sunset: 8:17 PM
🎧 Sounds like: I Wish It Would Rain – The Temptations
Ja’Min Devon
🧃 Main Squeeze: Jetty Memorial Plaques Coming Down Next Week
Starting July 14, the City will pull every plaque and bouquet off the rocks at Jetty Linear Park and the fishing pier. The order comes from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which says the memorials break lease rules and hurt the shoreline.
TLDR: The City is removing all plaques and flowers at the Jetty to meet federal rules and keep loose items out of the ocean. Staff will store anything they can save, then invite families to pick up their pieces. Many locals are upset and want a say before the rocks are cleared.
📍 Why It Matters: These plaques mark loved ones, favorite anglers, and lifelong beach memories. Losing them feels personal. The spot is one of the most photographed places in town. Clearing the rocks changes how the Jetty looks and feels overnight.
🛠 Key Details
Work begins the week of July 14 and should finish in roughly seven days.
Crews will remove items by hand. Some plaques may break because of old glue and weather.
Intact pieces go to Public Works at 52 Savannah Rd. for pick up.
The City will post a full name list online once removal wraps.
🏷 Pick-Up Window
Mon July 21 and Tue July 22, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Call 772-467-3794 for another time if needed.
Final deadline: Fri Aug 1 at 5 p.m.
🌊 What the City Says: Officials point to the lease with the Army Corps. Anything placed on the rocks without permission violates that agreement. Loose flowers also wash into the inlet and damage marine life.
🗣 Have Your Say: Do you agree with the removal or think the plaques should stay put? Tell us what you think here: Leave your thoughts
🔗 More Info: Full press release and updates: cityoffortpierce.com
🗞 Press Round: Bids, Ethics & Lanes
🎣 Little Jim’s Lease Battle
Three groups want the long term lease for Fort Pierce’s historic Little Jim’s Bait & Tackle: current operator Salty 3 Baitshack, Dania based HZIP, and Michigan bidder Luigi Lucas. Staff ranks bids in August and commissioners decide in September. Big upgrades like restrooms and flood mitigation will be on the next tenant.
⚖️ Ethics Penalty for Planner
City planner Vennis Gilmore will accept a one thousand dollar fine and public reprimand for not disclosing his roles in two nonprofits bidding on a Fort Pierce project tied to the Nick Mimms corruption case. He has already been demoted and had his pay cut.
🚧 Four Lanes Coming to NW Bayshore
Port St Lucie approved expanding NW Bayshore Boulevard to four lanes between Prima Vista and Selvitz. The 1.2 mile revamp adds bike lanes, sidewalks, a raised median, and turn lanes. Consultants say it is the only option that avoids gridlock past 2040, even though neighbors worry about speed.
🤩 People Pass: What your support means!
From school coverage to better tools like play.sunlandnews.com, every upgrade you see is made possible by readers who pitch in. Thank you to everyone who already has. This is what the People Pass makes possible. Want to support it too?
🎉 The Weekender
Thu Jul 17
🎨 Paint Night – Manatee Island Bar & Grill, Ft Pierce – Step-by-step canvas session to craft your own “Beach” sign, food & drinks on the deck. | 6 – 8 : 30 PM | $36 | Tickets
Fri Jul 18
🎧 R&B Grown & Sexy – Blue Iguanas Sports Grill, PSL – DJ Tee spins smooth hits; everyone 18+ in free before 11. | 10 PM – 2 AM | Free <b4 11 | Details
Sat Jul 19
🍍 Taste of the Tropics – PSL Botanical Gardens – Fruit tastings, demos, and rare-plant market in a lush setting. | 10 AM – 3 PM | Free | Details
📷 “Existing is Enough” Photo Exhibit – Sunland Bookstore, Fort Pierce – New collection honoring everyday Black life. | 6 – 8 PM | Free | Details
🌅 Sad Songs & Sunsets Emo Night – Shaka Kava 772 – Fall 4 U live cover set plus DJ spins; summer-edition emo vibes. | 8 – 11 PM | 18+ cover | Details
If you have an event, send it to me here
💧 The Last Drop: Back to School, Back to Basics
🧾 Need Help Paying Your Bill?
Seniors and low-income families in St. Lucie can now apply for utility assistance through FPUA and LIHEAP. See if you qualify
🏗️ $314M in School Construction
Two new high schools are opening soon and dozens of Treasure Coast campuses are getting major upgrades. See what’s being built
🚌 Register Now for the School Bus
All SLPS students must register for the 2025–26 school year to ride. Complete the form here
📸 This is Sunland: Archive Photo for the Road!
See you tomorrow!
With Love, Ja’Min
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