Good Morning, Sunland
It’s Wednesday! Just a quick reminder to share the newsletter with someone you know could use it. Maybe it’s a friend or family member who’s always saying they don’t know what’s going on or asking what to do this weekend. Send it their way.
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Poll: Do you think the Tradition Heart can be a cultural landmark that people out of town would travel to?
🌡️ Weather Update: A sunny start, with stormy whispers later.
☀️ Day: High of 92°F | Mostly sunny early, with scattered afternoon thunderstorms
🌙 Night: Low of 74°F | A stray shower or thunderstorm early, then partly cloudy.
🌅 Sunrise: 6:54 AM | 🌇 Sunset: 7:54 PM
🌙 Moonrise: 4:02 AM | 🌘 Moonset: 6:26 PM
🎶 Sounds like: “Ascension (Don’t Ever Wonder)” — Maxwell
Ja’Min Devon
🧃 The Main Squeeze: Fort Pierce Clean
Why it matters: The city just launched its "Our City, Our Responsibility" campaign and this time they're backing talk with action, including new trash fees and actual resources to make it happen.
📹 Background: I covered Fort Pierce's cleanup plans earlier this year and the conversation continues.
What's happening: The new initiative focuses on littering and its impact on the city's growth goals. Special Projects Coordinator Marsha Commond says the community has been vocal about litter issues, and the city wants to take the lead.
What they're doing:
Quarterly community cleanups with free supplies
Adopt-A-Road program for long-term commitments
Annual Great American Cleanup volunteer events
Litter cleanup report forms to track progress
New solid waste fees generating $2 million for equipment and staff
The bigger picture: Commond says littering isn't just ugly it's holding back economic development and making neighborhoods feel unsafe. "If we don't get ahead of this, then those goals are only going to be a distant reality for us."
How you can help: You don't need to join a formal program. See trash on your walk? Pick it up. The city provides bags, gloves, and vests for volunteers, plus they'll schedule pickup for larger hauls.
My thoughts: I've been saying I want to adopt a street myself, and honestly, it's just been a time issue. But programs like this are perfect for people who want to volunteer but don't know where to start. Plus, it builds real community connections.
The wildlife angle: Fort Pierce's location means litter directly impacts local wildlife something the campaign specifically highlights.
💬 Ready to help keep Fort Pierce beautiful? Leave thoughts here
🗑️ Get involved: Adopt-A-Road Program
🍊 Press Round: Traffic Concerns and City Blurb
💧 Water Rates Rising in Indian River
Starting October, Indian River County water bills will rise from $60 to $67 as part of a two-year adjustment to keep up with operational costs. Officials say the increase is long overdue and still leaves the county with the lowest rates on the Treasure and Space Coasts.
🪧 Plaque Removal Was City’s Call
Despite earlier claims, internal emails show Fort Pierce’s own Deputy City Manager first proposed removing memorial plaques from Jetty Park. The Army Corps was not the one to initiate removal, and city officials expected public backlash.
🚦 Tradition Traffic Troubles
Port St. Lucie residents aired frustrations over the congested intersection at Village Parkway and Tradition Parkway. The city hosted a public meeting this week to gather feedback as it weighs lane expansion and pedestrian safety upgrades.
🎉 The Weekender: 5 Events to Check Out This Weekend!
Friday, Aug 22
🍖🎶 Boots, Beauties, & BBQ — 600 N Indian River Dr, Fort Pierce. Line dancing with DeRhonda “The Diamond Diva,” plus food, drinks & 2 DJs. | 6 PM – 11 PM | Details | Link
🚗✨ Cars & Stars (Vendors Wanted) — 31 Piazza Dr, Port St. Lucie. Family-fun car night with a 2-Step Showdown; vendor spaces start at $40. | 7 PM – 10 PM | Vendors from $40 | Link
🤘🎸 PSL Punk Nights Vol. 1 — Three Tides Caribbean Restaurant & Bar, Port St. Lucie. Turbo Kid, Never Ender, Double Truckers, Trip The Monkey, Wide Awakes. | Doors 7 PM | $10 cover (21+) | Link
🎧💃 RNB vs SOCA: Grown & Sexy Edition — Blue Iguanas Sports Grill, Port St. Lucie. Late-night vibes with DJ Tee. | 10 PM – 2 AM | Details | Link
Saturday, Aug 23
💚🌳 Heart in the Park Grand Opening — 11325 SW Discovery Way, Port St. Lucie. Ribbon-cutting celebration for the new Heart in the Park. | 10 AM – 1 PM | Free | Link
Want more events? Go here
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💧 Met’s Drop: Back on Top!
We back up, baby! Last night, we beat the Palm Beach Cardinals 8-5. Our six pitchers finished the game with a total of 11 strikeouts. We were just ONE short of every player in the lineup putting up a hit. Jimenez stacked up 3 hits and 3 RBIs (he’s currently hitting .283) Meggers only had 1 hit, but he was responsible for another 3 RBIs All in all, our guys did great closing out the game for the W! We got five more. Let’s Go Mets!
Darius “odgtm” Garrido
📸 This is Sunland: Photo Finish!
Thank you everyone for being here ! ! !
See you tomorrow!
With Love, Ja’Min
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