Good Morning, Sunland
It’s Wednesday! and ready to jump right in!
👁️ Caught my eye: Costco distribution center in Port St. Lucie expected to open March 2026. 380 jobs coming with it.
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Alright, let's jump right in!
⛅ Weather Update: Clearing to sunny.
☀️ Day: High of 81°F | Some clouds this morning. 4% chance of rain.
🌙 Night: Low of 58°F | Clear skies. Winds light and variable. 8% chance of rain.
🌅 Sunrise: 7:12 AM | 🌇 Sunset: 5:42 PM
🌙 Moonrise: 10:22 PM | 🌚 Moonset: 10:21 AM
🎶 Sounds like: "Lean on Me" — Bill Withers
Ja’Min Devon
🚔 Main Squeeze: Fort Pierce Police Chief
Start Date Set for February 1
Fort Pierce's incoming police chief David M. Smith is set to start February 1st, according to an update HR Manager Jared Sorensen gave at Monday's city commission meeting. The commission will vote on Smith's contract January 12th.
Where things stand: Smith has agreed to contract terms and confirmed he'll live in Fort Pierce as required. Major Santiago with the police department has been handling background checks and onboarding so Smith can "hit the ground running" when he arrives. The contract is in final review with city attorney.
The backstory: City Manager Richard Chess selected Smith in December as his choice to lead the Fort Pierce Police Department. Smith currently serves as Commander of Eastern District Operations for the Prince William County Police Department in Virginia with 24 years of law enforcement experience.
What's next: Watch Monday's update | Commission votes January 12th
🗳️ Press Round: Beaches, Buildings & Bikeways
🏗️ Three Corners Development Still Years Away From Groundbreaking
Vero Beach's Three Corners redevelopment project won't break ground until mid-2027 despite the City Council approving lease negotiations in November with Clearpath Services for a $249 million waterfront village, marina, hotels and central park. The Youth Sailing Foundation will begin work in January on its new 10,000-square-foot sailing center and public park on the south side of the 38-acre site, which has been in planning since the city shut down its power plant in 2015.
👉 Read more (TCPalm, TCPalm subscription may be required)
🏖️ Dollman Beach Closes Intermittently for Renourishment Project
Dollman Beach on South Hutchinson Island will face temporary closures through June 30 as the Army Corps of Engineers begins a $15 million beach renourishment project covering 3.3 miles of shoreline. Dredging starts January 22, with sand pumped from 3.5 miles offshore to rebuild beaches damaged by hurricanes, and biologists will monitor sea turtle nesting areas starting in March.
👉 Read more (WPTV)
🚴 Martin County Extending East Coast Greenway Trail
Martin County and the Florida Department of Transportation are extending the East Coast Greenway Trail to connect Seabranch Preserve State Park and Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Hobe Sound. The new 10-12 foot wide pathway separated from vehicle traffic will add significant mileage to the existing one-mile section of the 3,000-mile trail system stretching from Maine to Florida.
👉 Read more (WPTV)
🎉 The Weekender: 8 Events to Check Out This Weekend!
Saturday, Jan 10
📚 9th Annual Treasure Coast History Festival – Free admission to Regional History Center, antique automobiles, children's area, history exhibits, guest speakers, working village, live music, food trucks, Summerlin's famous fish fry at St. Lucie County Regional History Center, 414 Seaway Dr, Fort Pierce. | Free | Details
🍽️ Treasure Coast Food Fest & Craft Fair – Treasure Coast's largest food festival with menu items $5 or less, local craft brews, live entertainment, craft marketplace, FREE kid zone with bounce houses, FREE axe throwing at Clover Park, 31 Piazza Dr, Port St Lucie. | Noon–9 PM | $7 advance, $10 gate (kids 8 & under free) | Details
🔮 Spirit Fest USA – High-quality crystals, gifted intuitive readers, enlightening vendors at MIDFLORIDA Event Center, 9249 Civic Center Pl, Port St Lucie. | 10 AM | Details
🚗 Car and Motorcycle Show – Classic cars and motorcycles on display at Port St Lucie Elks #2658, 2290 SE Lennard Rd, Port St Lucie. | 10 AM | Details
💧 The Last Drop: River Nights, Housing Help, and Hiring
🎵 River Nights returns Thursday – Samantha Russell Band plays rock, pop, country at Port District (2454 SE Westmoreland Blvd) 5:30pm Jan. 8. Free admission, overflow parking at Veterans Park, Tom Hooper Park, USPS Office. More about river nights
🏠 Fort Pierce housing assistance applications open – Foreclosure Assistance and Residential Rehabilitation programs available for income-eligible homeowners. $356k in SHIP funding, first-come basis. Mandatory orientation required. Housing programs
👔 Fort Pierce seeks Civil Service Appeals Board members – City recruiting residents with HR or personnel management experience. Meets third Wednesday at 3pm as needed. Applications due Jan. 23. Board application
💼 St. Lucie County hiring for 5 positions – Communications Officer I, Veterans Service Driver (part-time), Senior Project Manager (Road & Bridge), Assistant Planning Manager, GIS Technician. County jobs
🛣️ New street signs coming to Indian River Estates – County Road and Bridge producing nearly 500 new street name, stop and directional signs for neighborhood.
📸 This is Sunland: Photo Finish!
See you tomorrow!
With Love, Ja’Min
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