🌅🏛️ Fort Pierce’s New City Manager & Little Jim’s Future!

Good Morning, Sunland

It’s Friday! We made it! Albeit a little chilly. Not sure what’s going on, but I had a sneaking suspicion when I stepped outside yesterday that the weather wasn’t going to be kind heading into the weekend. And here we are—pulling out the jackets. I could have sworn we were done with this for the year… I should have known better. Alright…

🎡 Shoutout: The St. Lucie County Fair is Just a Week Away! This year, new attractions include a stingray touch tank, battling robots, a dinosaur show, and glass blowing demos—plus all the classics like the rodeo, demolition derby, and hypnotist show. Check the schedule here!

❤️ Did You Know: 40% of Floridians don’t realize that alcohol, tobacco, and even lack of sleep can harm their heart health. Heart disease isn’t just about diet—stress, air pollution, and even certain supplements can play a role, too. Anley Cardio is here to help you understand the risks and take the right steps for your heart. (*Sponsored Post)

🌡️ Weather Update: A cool and cloudy end to the week

☀️ Day: High of 70°F | 🌥️ A mix of clouds and sun in the morning
🌙 Night: Low of 56°F | 🌤️ A few clouds
🌅 Sunrise: 6:53 AM | 🌇 Sunset: 6:17 PM
🎵 Sounds like: “Dodger Blue” by Kendrick Lamar 🔵

🎡 Poll Question: What’s your favorite part of the Fair? 🎠🍿

Sponsored ⚕️: Let’s Welcome
Amandla Wellness to Sunland News

⏳ How long does your doctor really spend with you?

The average doctor’s visit lasts just 18 minutes—barely enough time to scratch the surface of your health concerns.

At Amandla Wellness Center, Dr. Margaret Lott does things differently. She spends a full hour with each patient, ensuring you feel heard, understood, and truly cared for. This isn’t rushed medicine. It’s personalized wellness, tailored to you.

💙 Real time. Real care. Real results.

📍 Fort Pierce | Schedule a consultation today here

🍋 The Main Squeeze: Fort Pierce Hires New City Manager, but Not Without Debate

Catch up: After months of uncertainty, Fort Pierce has chosen Richard D. Chess, a finance official from Broward County, as its next city manager. The 3-2 vote signaled a push for outside leadership, leaving some locals questioning whether the city made the right call.

Why this matters: The city manager position has been in flux for six months, and this decision feels like a turning point—not just for Fort Pierce, but for how this city moves forward.

When I started Sunland News, one of the first big stories that caught my attention was the fall of former city manager Nick Mimms, who was put on leave, later fired, and eventually arrested for bid tampering. Since then, Linda Cox has been serving as acting city manager, and many believed she should have been given the permanent role.

A divided decision:

Commissioners were split:

• Mayor Linda Hudson and Commissioner Michael Broderick backed Cox, arguing she already knew the city inside and out and could bring immediate stability.

• Commissioners Arnold Gaines, Curtis Johnson Jr., and James Taylor voted for Chess, believing an outsider was necessary to mark a clear break from past leadership controversies.

💬 Commissioner Taylor: "Perception is reality. I can’t look a resident in the eye and say we’re committed to a different direction (if Cox is hired)."

What’s next: Chess is expected to take over in April, with DeVoshay Johnson stepping in as interim city manager until then.

💭 Was hiring an outsider the right move, or should the city have kept leadership local? Let me know what you think here!

🍊 The Press Round: Hope for Little Jim’s!

🏝️ Little Jim’s Lease Extended Month-to-Month

The historic Little Jim’s Bait and Tackle will continue operating under a month-to-month lease as Fort Pierce seeks a new long-term tenant. The next leaseholder will be responsible for $266,000 in required floodproofing to comply with FEMA regulations.

👉 Read more

🏥 Efforts Underway to Bring Maternity Center to Martin County

With Cleveland Clinic ending labor and delivery services in Stuart, a new maternity center is being proposed to serve the region. A $2 million state funding request was made, but debate continues over whether it should be publicly or privately funded.

👉 Read more

🏗️ Audubon Could Exit King’s Landing Project This Week

Audubon Development is close to selling its stake in the long-delayed King’s Landing project, with Live Oak Contracting set to take full control. If finalized, the deal would leave Audubon as a minority partner with no decision-making power.

👉 Read more

🎉Events: Top 5 Events For The Week!

🎟️ Event I Missed

🎸 Better Than Ezra at MIDFLORIDA Event Center | Rock out with the legendary band live in PSL! | 7 PM | 🔗 Get Tickets Here

📅 Saturday, February 22

• 🎨 The 'Earth' Without 'Art' Is Just 'Eh' Art & Craft Show at The Grove Social Hall | Local artists showcase their creativity in this two-day art show. | 10 AM - 4 PM | Explore the Artists

• 🌿 NatureFest 2025 at the Manatee Center. Celebrate Florida’s wildlife with interactive exhibits, nature talks, and family-friendly activities. | 10 AM – 2 PM | 🌎 Explore more

• 🎬 Saturday Drive-In Movie Nights | Sonic The Hedgehog 2 at Treasure Coast Park and Watch. Family-friendly fun with an outdoor screening of Sonic The Hedgehog 2 and a milkshake special! | 7 PM | 🍿 Reserve your spot

• 🕺 Silent Disco at Pierced Ciderworks
  Dance to multiple DJ channels with wireless headphones. | 8 PM–11 PM | Details

• 🎨 FAM Fest at Whispering Pines Park
  A celebration of Black culture through food, art, and music. | 5 PM–9 PM | Details

If you have an event, send it to me here

💧 The Last Drop: $1 Millionnnnn Dollars!

1. 🏗️ PSL Business Grants
   Local businesses can apply for up to $10K in facade improvement grants. Applications open March 4. Learn More

2. 🚧 Floresta Drive Project Update
   Phase 2 is wrapping up, and Phase 3 starts in March—improving roads from Southbend to Prima Vista. More Info

3. 🚀 NASA HQ in Florida?
   Florida leaders want to move NASA’s HQ from D.C. to Kennedy Space Center by 2028. Good idea or not? Read More

4. 💰 Million-Dollar Win in PSL!
   A lucky Powerball ticket sold at a Publix in Port St. Lucie just made someone $1M richer. Check Your Numbers

📸 This is Sunland: Photo for the Road!

Thank you for being patient with me! Writing the newsletter can be daunting at times but I wouldn’t trade it for the world! I really love doing this. All week I’ve been plotting and planning on how to keep making it better and better overtime, and I appreciate all the feedback from everyone on how to do that… Alright

See you Monday! 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!