🌅 ⚠️ Notices are moving online

Good Morning, Sunland

It’s Friday.We made it to the end of the week.

Quick programming note — there won’t be a newsletter on Monday. Anytime there’s an opportunity for a break, I’ve learned to take it… so that’s what I’ll be doing. Hope to see you back here Tuesday afternoon with the best local newsletter in the world. Alright…

🌡️ Weather Update: Torrential Friday with flashes of calm by night

⛈️ Day: High of 85°F | Thunderstorms likely with strong winds and heavy downpours.
🌙 Night: Low of 70°F | A few clouds pass through the quiet.
🌅 Sunrise: 6:28 AM | 🌇 Sunset: 8:07 PM
🌘 Waning Crescent: Moonrise at 3:39 AM | Moonset at 4:30 PM
🎵 Sounds like: “Sweet Thing” by Rufus ft. Chaka Khan ☔💞

🧱 Main Squeeze 
Public Notices, New Rules

Big changes are coming to how St. Lucie County notifies the public about rezonings, development plans, and other important government actions. Starting soon, those legally required public notices won’t just appear in the local newspaper, they’ll be published on a county-run website instead.

📜 What Changed: A 2023 Florida law allows local governments to post public notices on their own websites instead of paying to publish them in local newspapers, if they can show it’s cheaper. At the May 20 meeting, the County Commission unanimously approved a new ordinance to do just that.

🧾 Why It Matters: This could mean major cost savings for the county. Officials estimate it costs about $30,000 per year to maintain a public notice website, compared to $100,000 to $150,000 annually to advertise through the newspaper.

🧭 What Notices Will Still Include: Signs will still go up on properties. Letters will still go out to nearby residents. And at least for now, the county plans to continue publishing notices in newspapers for a few months while transitioning to the new system.

🗓 When This Starts: The new website is expected to launch by the end of June. It will use the same vendor as Broward County and likely have a similar format.

💬 Looking Ahead: Staff said cities like Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, and the school district are considering using the site too. This could mark a broader shift in how local governments communicate with residents.

🧠 Something to Think About: This change is about more than where notices are posted. It’s part of a larger transformation in how local governments share critical information with the public. For decades, newspapers were the main hub for this kind of info. But as digital tools expand and readership habits change, new channels are emerging.

This is part of why Sunland News was created. While we’re not the answer to everything, we’re trying to offer more surface area for what’s happening locally. If you have thoughts on this shift — or want to see other agencies use this kind of system — let us know.

🗣️ Drop your thoughts here

🍊 Press Round
Water Safety

🌊 Free Water Safety Day & Sea Turtle Walks Coming Up

St. Lucie County is hosting a free Water Safety Day on Saturday, May 24 from 11 AM–3 PM at Ravenswood Pool (400 SW Ravenswood Ln, PSL), with open access to the pool and splash pad, safety demos, and free pizza and drinks.

🐢 Plus, three free nighttime Sea Turtle Walks are scheduled for June 4, 18, and 25 — with June 4 already sold out. These guided beach walks, led by a certified biologist, offer a rare glimpse into nesting sea turtles.

👉 Water Safety & Swim Info
👉 Turtle Walk Registration

💳 PSL Among Nation’s Best at Paying Down Debt

Port St. Lucie ranks 45th out of 182 U.S. cities for household debt payoff, according to WalletHub. With an average debt of $193K, PSL residents paid down $829 between October and March — trailing only Cape Coral in Florida.

👉 See the Full Rankings

🗺 From Treasure to Today: Maps Reveal Florida’s Evolution

A new visual retrospective explores how the Treasure Coast has changed over centuries, using maps dating back to the 1500s. The interactive video features side-by-side comparisons, tracing settlement patterns, coastline shifts, and urban growth.

👉 Explore the Maps

Join the Mission and support Sunland News and help fuel the goal of delivering smarter, faster very, very local news that keeps you informed on what’s unfolding here.

💡 Why it matters: Your support allows me to keep St. Lucie County informed and engaged through the daily Sunland News newsletter—and sets the stage for tackling bigger, in-depth reporting projects in the near future.

🎁 What’s in it for you: Exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes insights, and other perks as we grow (bookstore and otherwise) this community together.

👉 Check it out here!

🎉 This Week Around Town:Top 5 Events This Week

Friday, May 23

• 🎉 The Comedy Zone Experience – Riverside Theatre's Comedy Zone is the Treasure Coast’s best stage for Live Stand-Up Comedy on select Friday and Saturday nights all-year-round. Have a great time with TWO hilarious… See more | 6:30 PM – 8 PM | Free | Details

• 🎉 "Just Beachy" Paint on Wine/Pilsner Glass pARTy – Paint your own beachy wine or pilsner glass with Rita the Artist at Tail-Gators | 6 PM - 8 PM | Free | Details

Saturday, May 24

• 🎶 Boots on the Ground R&B Bingo – Music, bingo, and high-energy vibes at The Venue in Vero Beach. | Saturday, May 24 | 7 PM–10 PM | Cost varies | Details

Sunday, May 25

• 📚 Literary Market – Local authors and vendors gather for a bookish day of shopping and creativity. | Sunday, May 25 | 10 AM–3 PM | Free | Details

If you have an event, send it to me here
Want more events? Go here

💧 The Last Drop
Hot and Bothered Weather

1. 🔥 Summer Outlook: Hotter Than Average
   The National Weather Service says Florida has a 50% chance of higher-than-normal temps this summer. Expect that Gulf water to start feeling like soup.
   👉 View NOAA Outlook

2. 🌀 NOAA Forecasts Above-Normal Hurricane Season
   This year’s hurricane season is expected to bring 13–19 named storms, including up to five major hurricanes. Officials urge early prep.
   👉 Read the Forecast

📸 This is Sunland: ✌️ Before I go

See You Tuesday!
With Love, Ja’Min

📖 Thanks For Reading: How was today’s newsletter?

👋 Thanks for reading! If you found it useful, consider sharing it with a friend.

📱 Keep up with the Sunland News: Send comments & suggestions to [email protected] Follow us on, Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube

🙋‍♂️ Did someone forward you this? Subscribe Below!