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Good Morning, Sunland
It's Monday! And I am hoping for a good week . Let’s jump right in!
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☀️ Weather Update: Mostly sunny skies.
☀️ Day: High of 80°F | Mostly sunny skies. Winds NNW at 5-10 mph. 11% chance of rain.🌙 Night: Low of 61°F | A mostly clear sky. Winds light and variable. 16% chance of rain.🌅 Sunrise: 6:44 AM | 🌇 Sunset: 5:28 PM
🌙 Moonrise: 4:25 AM | 🌚 Moonset: 3:46 PM
🎶 Sounds like: "Golden" — Jill Scott
Ja’Min Devon
📕 Sponsored: I got the guide, and so should you!
You can never plan too much. That’s why Yates Funeral Home is giving Sunland readers a free guide to help you make more thoughtful decisions for yourself or for loved ones. No pressure. Just helpful info.
🏈 Main Squeeze: NIL Coming to St. Lucie County High Schools
Big news: St. Lucie County School Board votes Tuesday night on allowing high school athletes to profit from their Name, Image, and Likeness. Public hearing at 5:10 PM, November 18th.
Why it matters: St. Lucie County has serious talent. Fort Pierce Central just clutched a playoff win and keeps advancing. But the county's been competing at a disadvantage against areas like Vero Beach where NIL is already happening.
What is NIL? Student athletes can make money from endorsements, social media, autograph signings, and appearances. Think local business sponsorships and social media deals.
What coaches are saying:
"We have seen top tier athletes from various Sports that has made decisions that has cost them their athletic careers from the lack of funds or the lack of resources so with NIL coming to a area like such we can erase the invisible line between athletes and success." — Earl, Westwood Football Assistant Coach
"Some of the best talent on the Treasure Coast calls St. Lucie County home. I'd encourage the district to increase support for all athletic programs, both middle and high school, to better compete with our neighboring counties." — Nicholas Clements, Fort Pierce Central Flag Football Head Coach
The guardrails: Students can't use school logos or uniforms in NIL deals. Can't do deals involving alcohol, gambling, weapons, or political activism. And NIL can't be used to recruit students to specific schools.
What's next: School Board votes Tuesday. If approved, St. Lucie County joins the NIL era officially.
Read the full breakdown here of what students can and can't do!
Shout out: Big thanks to Sunrise Sports Media for collaborating on this story.
What do you think? Drop your thoughts here.
🍊 Press Round: Corners, Carriers & Controversy
🏗️ Three Corners Finally Takes Flight in Vero
Vero Beach City Council unanimously approved negotiations with a merged Clearpath Services-Madison Marquette partnership for the 17-acre Three Corners waterfront development north of the 17th Street Bridge. The 99-year lease talks begin this week for the long-anticipated dining, retail and recreation hub, with significant construction unlikely before 2027.
✈️ Two Airlines Coming to Fort Pierce Airport
St. Lucie County Commissioner Cathy Townsend says two commercial airlines will be announced by month's end for Treasure Coast International Airport, with one offering weekly northeastern flights and another serving the Bahamas. The county-owned airport received FAA certification last October and recently installed TSA equipment and terminal seating for passenger service.
Corners, Carriers & Controversy
Martin County commissioners will consider using half-cent sales tax funds to purchase properties in Pal-Mar as part of a settlement with Be A Man Buy Land, acquiring 990 acres jointly with South Florida Water Management District. The board will also vote on Kolter Group's Waterside development proposal to build 1,984 units outside the Urban Services Boundary on land currently zoned for 19 units.
🎉 Weekdayer: 8 Events To Check Out This Week!
Monday, Nov 17
🤝 Marketing With a Mission – Network lunch supporting The Hands and Feet nonprofit at Mission Kitchen Cafe, 6650 S Federal Highway, Port St. Lucie. | Check time (1 hr 15 min) | $20 | Details
Tuesday, Nov 18
🏃 Evening Run at Tradition Square – Group run in Port Saint Lucie. | 6:30 PM | Free | Details
Wednesday, Nov 19
🎄 Rockin' Holiday Networking Party – Year-end celebration with ugly holiday sweater contest at Indian River State College STEM Center, 500 NW California Blvd, Port St. Lucie. $10 cash at door. | 6 PM | $10 cash | Details
Thursday, Nov 20
🎨 2nd Street Art Walk – Evening of local art at historic Platts/Backus House, 122 A.E. Backus Avenue, Fort Pierce. Featured artists: Doc McKinney, Diane Stark Kennedy, Tracey Kurilla, and Roger Gardner. (Also Nov 21, 11 AM–2 PM) | 5–7:30 PM | Free | Details
🤝 Network for a Purpose - Joy of Giving – Healthcare partners networking supporting long-term care residents at The Brennity at Tradition, Port St. Lucie. Bring donations (bathrobes, blankets, slippers, etc.) for raffle ticket. | 5 PM networking, 6 PM refreshments, 7 PM fun | Check pricing | Details
Friday, Nov 21
☕ Breakfast & Networking – 1st and 3rd Friday networking at The Junction Cafe, 6666 US-1 North, Port Saint Lucie. | Check time (1 hr 30 min) | $10 | Details
🎨 Art Walk – Wine reception, live painting, art exhibition in The Vault, tour art galleries and studios at 111 Orange Avenue, Fort Pierce. | 5–8 PM | Free | Details
🎤 Live at the Black Box: Bobby Collins – Legendary comedian seen on The Tonight Show with Carson, Leno, and Fallon! Doors open 7 PM, show starts 8 PM at Black Box Theatre, Fort Pierce. | 8 PM | Ticketed | Details
If you have an event, send it to me here
📌 The Last Drop: Civics Ahead!
🏛️ St. Lucie County elects new leadership Tuesday – Board reorganizes with chair, vice-chair selections for 2025-26 term. Meeting also covers appointments to Environmental Control, Erosion, Mosquito and Sustainability districts. Reorganization agenda
📊 PSL considers sales tax extension Monday – Council workshop reviews proposed half-cent sales tax project list and receives Great Places award for Pioneer Park from state planning association. Workshop agenda
🏙️ Fort Pierce annexation hearing Monday – Commission considers bringing 2.03 acres at South Market and US 1 into city limits for commercial development. First reading of annexation ordinance. Meeting agenda
📸 This is Sunland: ✌️ Sunland Brand!
Special announcement in your inbox today around 2 P.M.!
See you tomorrow!
With Love, Ja’Min
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