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🍽️ Want To Try: Maggie McFly's opens Tuesday at 11 AM at 662 SE Becker Road. It's replacing the old Bonefish Mac's Sports Grille that closed back in October. Check out the menu.
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☀️ Day: High of 79°F | Partly cloudy. Winds 10-20 mph. 9% chance of rain.
🌙 Night: Low of 67°F | Mostly cloudy. Winds 10-15 mph. 13% chance of rain.
🌅 Sunrise: 6:59 AM | 🌇 Sunset: 7:45 PM
🌙 Moonrise: 4:29 AM | 🌚 Moonset: 4:04 PM
🎶 Sounds like: "Get It Up" — The Time
Ja'Min Devon
Founder, Sunland News
🟠 Main Squeeze: City officials say PSL's $24M trash settlement should go back to residents
In case you missed it last week, Port St. Lucie just closed a five-year legal battle with its former trash hauler (Waste Pro of Florida) for $24 million, and almost as soon as the ink dried, city officials came out publicly saying the money belongs to the people.
Why it matters: The city originally sued Waste Pro back in 2021 after the contractor failed to deliver on its end of a multi-year deal and walked away early, leaving PSL to find a last-minute replacement. Ultimately, residents paid for services they never fully received, and now the city has been compensated for that lack of service.
🤔 What the settlement looks like:
💰 $21 million due within 30 days of the dismissal order
📅 Two payments of $1.5 million each due January 31, 2027 and January 31, 2028
🤝 All claims dropped on both sides, including Waste Pro's countersuit against the city
✅ Council approved it unanimously
One thing to note: $24 million is the gross number and attorney fees come out before the city sees the final number.
👀 What elected officials are saying:
Mayor Shannon Martin posted on Facebook after the judge signed the order saying she has always believed any money recovered should go back to taxpayers and that position hasn't changed.
Councilman Anthony Bonna went on video and was even more direct. "That's not the city's money. That's the taxpayer's money. You paid for services that you didn't receive."
Last year the city had a real conversation about moving to twice weekly trash pickup and whether to put that question on the ballot, and that conversation never fully closed. So the question now is whether there's still an appetite for a service upgrade or if residents just want a check in their hands.
What's next: Council and staff will sit down at an upcoming workshop or public meeting to figure out where the money actually goes.
💬 So what do you think should happen with the $24 million? Tell us right here
🤫 Press Round: Recognition, Rankings & Resistance
🏫 Vero Beach Principal Named Finalist for State Award
Felice Bagley, principal of Dodgertown Elementary School in Vero Beach, was named one of three finalists for the Florida Principal of the Year award by the Florida Department of Education. The award recognizes principals who demonstrate excellence in student achievement, instructional leadership and community engagement.
👉 Read more (TCPalm subscription may be required)
🖥️ Okeechobee Residents Push Back on Proposed Data Center
Indian River State College's "Okee-One" data center on 205 acres near Okeechobee off Highway 441 is facing opposition from residents asking "What's in it for us?" at a county commissioners meeting. The 9 to 10 megawatt facility would be built on the site of the former Florida School for Boys at Okeechobee, with speakers raising concerns about environmental impacts and whether the project benefits the community.
👉 Watch more (Sunland News)
🏆 Stuart Ranks Second Best Coastal Small Town in the Nation
Stuart landed at number two on USA Today 10Best's list of best coastal small towns in the country, recognized for the Roosevelt Bridge, St. Lucie River waterfront parks and downtown attractions. The ranking highlights Stuart as an under the radar town with spots for picnicking, fishing and relaxing along with the Stuart Heritage Museum and restaurant lined downtown.
👉 See the rankings (USA Today 10Best)
🎉 Weekdayer: Apr 13 - Apr 17
Monday, April 13
🎪 Mr. Swindle's Traveling Peculiarium & Drink-Ory Garden – Immersive 90-minute theatrical spectacle with mind-bending feats, eccentric comedy, and peculiar characters under a boutique Big Top at MIDFLORIDA Event Center, Port St. Lucie. | Running Apr 13–19 | Ticketed | Get Tickets
Tuesday, April 14
🤼 Little Mania Mini Wrestling at Blue Iguana – Mini wrestling event with ladder dives, trash can slams, and championship action at Blue Iguana Sports Grill, 6634 S US Hwy 1, Port St. Lucie. | Doors 6:30 PM, Show 8–10 PM | 21+ | From $28 | Get Tickets
🎷 Fort Pierce Jazz Jam – Bi-monthly jazz jam session at Sunrise Theatre, Fort Pierce. | 2nd & 4th Tuesdays | Details
Wednesday, April 15
🤝 Pop-Up Business Connect – Casual networking with local business professionals, light bites, and beer and wine at Carmela Toast & Coffee Bar, 10308 SW Discovery Way, Port St. Lucie. | 5–7 PM | Free | Details
Thursday, April 16
🧙 Harry Potter Movie Trivia Night – Harry Potter trivia with prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams at Fox & Crown Brewery and Pub, 1419 SE Village Green Dr, Port St. Lucie. | 7 PM | Free | Details
💘 Singles Social – Meet the Natural Way (Ages 40–60) – Low-pressure singles meetup with easy conversation starters and beverage bar at Priscilla's Oasis on Orange, 223 Orange Ave, Fort Pierce. | 7–9:30 PM | Free | Details
Friday, April 17
🍔 Friday Bites & Beats at Tradition Square – Street food, live DJ sets, artisan vendors, kids entertainment, and community vibes at Tradition Square, 10489 SW Meeting St, Port St. Lucie. | 5–10 PM | Free | Details
Send Me More Events Here
💧 The Last Drop: Fort Pierce may cancel paid beach parking
This morning the city's Parking Committee is set to present recommendations to officially cancel the paid parking plan that had been in the works since 2024 for Jaycee, Jetty and South Causeway parks.
Why it matters: The city had already awarded a contract to flip roughly 300 free spaces into paid ones before residents pushed back hard enough to stall it entirely.
The committee's full recommendations also include scrapping that vendor contract, hiring a full-time parking enforcement officer, and pursuing a brand new downtown parking garage at the old JC Penney lot on Indian River Drive 🏗️.
What's next: Commission will hear the recommendations and weigh in on whether to move forward.
💬 Should Fort Pierce beaches stay free to park? Tell us right here
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