Good Morning, Sunland
It's Wednesday! Let’s jump right in!
🎪 Caught My Eye: St. Lucie County Fair tickets on sale now. Funds raised support local programs, charities, local economy. Fair tickets
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Alright, let's jump right in!
☀️ Weather Update: Mainly sunny to start.
☀️ Day: High of 64°F | Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds.
🌙 Night: Low of 38°F | Clear skies. Cold. Winds NW at 5-10 mph.
🌅 Sunrise: 7:09 AM | 🌇 Sunset: 5:59 PM
🌙 Moonrise: 1:30 PM | 🌚 Moonset: 3:06 AM
🎶 Sounds like: "Here I Am (Come and Take Me)" — Al Green
Ja’Min Devon
🏗️ Main Squeeze: Fort Pierce's New Wastewater Plant Is Open
Fort Pierce Utilities Authority officially opened its new $140 million mainland wastewater treatment plant January 9 after three years of construction. Now attention turns to what happens with the eight-decade-old plant on South Hutchinson Island.
What's Next: FPUA is moving into Phase 2, updating the sewer system so wastewater gets rerouted west to the new facility instead of east to the island plant. That includes 17 projects like constructing new force mains, upgrading lift stations, and building new pump stations. FPUA has about $35 million left over for Phase 2.
The Timeline: Both plants will keep operating during the transition. Current estimates say the island plant will be fully decommissioned in 2028 or 2029. Once that happens, demolition can begin on the plant that's sat just south of the Fort Pierce South Bridge since the 1940s.
The Vision: City leaders want to create a public space. Ideas include a park, amphitheater, and walking boardwalk. The Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council presented a master plan in April that dubbed the site "Sunrise Park" with an amphitheater, splash park, youth sailing club, and event pavilion.
The Complication: The nearly 75-acre area is owned by three entities, none of which is the city. And the owner of Causeway Cove Marina filed plans to build five high-rise buildings with 1,066 apartment units and 204 hotel rooms using the Live Local Act, which lets developers circumvent local approvals if 40% is affordable housing.
🏠 Press Round: Tennis, Wetland, & Managers
🎾 Vero Beach International Tennis Open Returns
The Vero Beach International Tennis Open returns to Grand Harbor Golf & Beach Club January 26 through February 1, featuring professional women's tennis players from more than 30 countries competing for a $75,000 prize purse and WTA ranking points. The tournament includes public events like Kids Day, a Porsche Car Show and the singles finals on February 1.
👉 Read more (Sebastian Daily)
💧 St. Lucie County Opens New Wetland at Indrio Savannahs
St. Lucie County completed a 3-acre wetland at Indrio Savannahs Preserve designed to clean stormwater before it flows to Taylor Creek and the Indian River Lagoon. The $802,610 project, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, uses native vegetation to filter nutrients and creates wildlife habitat.
👉 Read more (WQCS)
🏛️ Stuart Begins City Manager Search with Tight Timeline
Stuart City Commission set a $195,000 to $215,000 salary range for its new city manager and aims to complete hiring by March 23 after firing longtime City Manager Michael Mortell in October. The commission settled on requiring a bachelor's degree with a master's preferred, with HR Director Roz Johnson-Strong assuming interim duties January 26.
👉 Read more (Hometown News)
🎉 Weekdayer: Jan 31 - Feb 1
Saturday, Jan 31
🎭 Lexus Great Futures Gala – Moonlight masquerade with cocktails, dinner, live music, dancing benefiting Boys & Girls Clubs at Treasure Coast Lexus, Port St Lucie. | 6 PM | Get Tickets
🎨 Jetson's 15th Annual Highwaymen Art Show – Meet Highwaymen artists, live painting, vintage art for sale at Jetson TV & Appliance, 4145 S US Hwy 1, Fort Pierce. | 11 AM–1 PM | Free | Event Details
🛼 She Rolls PSL Meet Up – Rollerblade or walk, all levels welcome at Tradition Town Center, Port St Lucie. | 8 AM | Free | Join Us
🎉 Pepe's Cantina 1st Anniversary Celebration – Drink specials, live DJ 6–9 PM at Pepe's Cantina, 5363 NW East Torino Pkwy, Port St Lucie. | 11 AM–10 PM | Celebrate Here
Sunday, Feb 1
🥬 PSL Green Markets 1 Yr. Anniversary – Local farmers, artisans, bounce houses, games, petting zoo at Port St Lucie Green Markets, 9220 Southeast Event Center Pl, Port St Lucie. | 9 AM–3 PM | Free | Visit Market
If you have an event, send it to me here
💧 The Last Drop: FAM JAM!
🛒 Publix loses top Florida grocer spot – Fan-favorite chain surpassed as No. 1 grocery brand in Florida, according to News 6 WKMG report. Top grocer
🎨 PSL seeks Black artists for FAM Jam – Artwork submissions due Jan. 31 for Feb. 28 event celebrating Black culture through food, art, music at Whispering Pines Park (800 SW Darwin Blvd), 5-9pm. FAM Jam
🗑️ County reminds of $10 minimum landfill fee – Baling and Recycling Facility (6120 Glades Cutoff Rd) charges $10 minimum for up to 250 lbs waste. Open Mon-Fri 7am-4:15pm, Sat 8am-12:15pm. Hazardous and e-waste free. Waste fees
🌉 North Causeway Bridge beams installed – Final bridge beams placed over Florida East Coast Railway tracks. Crews next construct bridge decks. Project enhances safety and connectivity for motorists, pedestrians, cyclists. Bridge info
📸 This is Sunland: Primetime!
if you are ever looking for something to do and also want to support our youth athletics, the Dan McCarty Middle School Basketball Games is prime time television. I went the other day just out of curiosity to see the turnout and how the games actually ran and the experience was a 10 out of 10!
See you tomorrow!
With Love, Ja'Min
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