Good Morning, Sunland
It's Monday! And still slightly full from Thanksgiving, as I'm sure many of you are. Last week was a much needed break because little did I know that this week things are about to get really interesting to say the least. A lot of things on the agenda, a lot of things to keep up and pay attention to. I'm going to try to keep everybody up to date with all of it.
📜 History fact: Did you know St. Lucie County used to be part of Mosquito County? The county was disbanded in 1844 and eventually became the area we now call home. Maps changed, but home stayed the same.
🛍️ Sunland Brand: If you haven't already joined the waiting list for Sunland Brand, join here!
Alright…
🌧️ Weather Update: Cloudy with rain.
☀️ Day: High of 78°F | Cloudy with rain throughout the day 70% chance of rain.
🌙 Night: Low of 67°F | Cloudy with showers. 40% chance of rain.
🌅 Sunrise: 6:53 AM | 🌇 Sunset: 5:26 PM
🌙 Moonrise: 2:05 PM | 🌚 Moonset: 1:59 AM
🎶 Sounds like: "Bag Lady" — Erykah Badu
Ja’Min Devon
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🚔 Main Squeeze: Fort Pierce Names Three Finalists for Police Chief… No Local Candidates Made the Cut
What's happening: Fort Pierce announced three finalists for police chief Friday, and none of them are local. Acting Deputy Chief Caleb Gillette, who had union support, and other local candidates didn't make the cut.
The three finalists:
Vernon L. Hale III (Aubrey, Texas): Three decades of law enforcement experience, doctoral candidate at University of Phoenix. Previously served as police chief for Galveston Police Department in Texas and assistant chief for Prince George's County Police Department in Maryland.
Mirtha V. Ramos (Decatur, Georgia): 28 years of law enforcement experience, master's degree in psychology of leadership from Penn State. Served as division chief with Miami-Dade Police Department and later as chief of police for DeKalb County Police Department in Georgia.
David M. Smith (Dumfries, Virginia): 24 years of law enforcement experience with advanced degrees in executive leadership and criminal justice education. Currently serves as commander of Eastern District Operations for Prince William County Police Department in Virginia.
The local candidates left out: The Fort Pierce Police Officers Union endorsed Acting Deputy Chief Caleb Gillette in October. He didn't make the finalists. Two other local candidates, Fort Pierce Police Major Eric Chan and St. Lucie County Deputy Sheriff Milo Thornton, also didn't advance.
How the decision was made: Sources tell me City Manager Richard Chess gathered a committee for this hiring process, along with the search firm the city paid $25,000 to conduct the search. So he's not making this decision alone. We're supposed to learn more about the hiring process and the committee at today's city commission meeting when Chess explains the three final candidates.
What's next:
December 2nd, 5:30 to 7:30 PM: Public meet-and-greet at the River Walk Center, 600 N. Indian River Drive. Residents can ask questions and meet the candidates.
December 3rd: Finalists interview with the mayor and city commissioners.
December 8th: City Manager expected to present final recommendation to City Commission.
The debate: Some people appreciate an outside perspective, somebody with different eyes to make different decisions and move the city forward. Other times people want somebody homegrown who understands the land, someone who knows everything about Fort Pierce and St. Lucie County.
Your take: Should Fort Pierce hire from within or bring in outside leadership? Drop your thoughts here.
🏈 Press Round: Touchdowns, Trails & Transformation
🏈 Vero Beach Football Heads to State Semifinals
Vero Beach High School's football team beat Orlando's Dr. Phillips High School 49-23 on Nov. 28, advancing to the state semifinals for the first time since 1998. The Fighting Indians will face Miami Palmetto Senior High School at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at the Citrus Bowl with tickets available for presale starting Dec. 3 or at the gate on game day for $11 cash or check only.
👉 Read more (Vero News)
🏞️ Fort Pierce Approving $800K in Park Improvements
Fort Pierce City Commission approved $119,320 for construction drawings at Coach Fenn Park on Avenue I, part of an $800,000 Community Development Block Grant project. The improvements include a splash pad, modular bathroom, shade structure for the playground, and paved parking, all of which must be completed by June 30, 2026, or the city forfeits the funding.
👉 Read more (Hometown News)
🌳 Port St. Lucie Breaking Ground on Largest Park
Port St. Lucie will hold a groundbreaking ceremony at 11 a.m. on Dec. 9 for Torino Regional Park, a 195-acre project that will become the city's largest park. The first phase includes a nature-themed playground, splash pad, pickleball and basketball courts, walking trails, pavilions, and plans for a future skate park shaped by community input.
👉 Read more (WQCS)
🎉 Events: 6 Events To Check Out This Week!
Wednesday, Dec 3
🎨 Grinch Gallery Glass Workshop – Create a whimsical Grinch-themed window sun catcher using vibrant Gallery Glass paints at The Peacock House Art Foundation, 722 Orange Ave, Fort Pierce. BYOB, adults only. | 5–7 PM | $35 | Details
Thursday, Dec 4
🎖️ Children's Services Council Awards & Impact Update Luncheon – Hear real stories, celebrate change at Indian River State College Pruitt Campus Nurses Building. | 11 am-1 pm | Ticketed | Details
Friday, Dec 5
🎄 Tradition's Annual Tree Lighting Event – Holiday magic with live music, food, family fun! Santa arrives at 6 PM to light the tree, followed by Vox Audio Group performance at 6:30 PM at Tradition Square. Presented by Mattamy Homes and BlueStream Fiber. | 5–9 PM | Free | Details
💡 Heathcote's Garden of Lights 2025 – Over one million twinkling lights transform the gardens! Santa on select nights, food trucks, live music, Treasure Coast Woodturners spinning wooden tops for kids. Runs every Friday, Saturday & Sunday in December at 210 Savannah Rd, Fort Pierce. | 5:30–9 PM | Adults $15, Kids (6-17) $5, Members $10, Under 5 free | Details
🩰 St. Lucie Ballet presents The Nutcracker – Join Clara on her adventures with the Rat King, Land of Snow, Land of Sweets, and Sugar Plum Fairy at Sunrise Theatre Main Stage. All ages welcome. | 7 PM (doors 6 PM) | Ticketed | Details
🎅 Friday Fest in Marina Square – Special visitor flying in for the night, FREE kids Christmas crafts, drinks, and fun hosted by Main Street Fort Pierce. | 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm | Free | Details
If you have an event, send it to me here
📌 The Last Drop: Civic Week Ahead!
📋 PSL reviews Love Your Block program Monday – Council hears year-in-review presentation on neighborhood improvement initiative at 1pm meeting. Program connects residents with resources for community projects and beautification efforts. Meeting agenda
🏛️ County votes on multi-modal impact fee ordinance Tuesday – Second reading could establish new road impact fee structure for St. Lucie development. Board meets 6pm with adoption hearing after November 18th revisions. County agenda
🌆 Fort Pierce considers 76-acre Turnpike development Monday – Planned Development zoning for property at Okeechobee Road and Florida Turnpike, first reading at 5:05pm. Major growth project near southwest city limits. City agenda
📸 This is Sunland: ✌️ Sun Shot!
One of the very first photos I ever took when I first started selling news. One of my goals in the new year is to get back out more and more and more to keep documenting St. Lucie County! Alright…
See you tomorrow!
With Love, Ja’Min
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