🌅🛼 Skate City is Here + Big Park News!

Good Morning, Sunland

It’s Friday! I have a suspicion about something—bear with me. It’s the last day of the week and the last day of the month, but for some reason, January always feels so long. It never fails, year after year. Part of me thinks this isn’t an accident. And I know I can’t be the only one who feels this way. Maybe time just moves a little slower at the start of the year, you know? Just a thought.

Alright…

Reminder 🔙: In case you missed it, be sure to check out yesterday’s event list here.

🌡️ Weather Update: Foggy Start, Warm Finish

☀️ Day: High of 84°F | 🌤️ Areas of dense morning fog, sun and clouds mixed
🌙 Night: Low of 62°F | 🌥️ Partly cloudy skies
🌅 Sunrise: 7:07 AM | 🌇 Sunset: 6:02 PM
🎵 Sounds like: "Rock Steady" by The Whispers

❓ Question: Does January feel longer than other months to you?

🍋 The Main Squeeze: 🛹 PSL & BMX

Quick Take 🚨
Port St. Lucie is kicking off the year with exciting new developments. Not only are Torino and Tradition Regional Parks on the horizon, but the highly anticipated Skate City outdoor roller rink officially opened this week at Whispering Pines Park!

Skate City Is Now Open 🛼
Skate City, an outdoor roller rink in Port St. Lucie, is now open at Whispering Pines Park. The opening, scheduled for January 22, marks the completion of the project that’s been eagerly awaited by locals. This rink is poised to provide a fresh, fun space for residents to enjoy roller skating and rollerblading in a family-friendly setting.

Major Regional Park Developments Coming Soon
Beyond the new rink, Port St. Lucie is seeing big changes at Torino and Tradition Regional Parks, with groundbreaking and major developments underway. The Torino Regional Park, a 195-acre site, will kick off construction in early 2026 with a Play Forest theme for its main playground. It’ll also include a large covered basketball court that doubles as an event space. On the other side, the Tradition Regional Park is set for an early 2026 opening as well, featuring baseball fields, a USA BMX-sanctioned track, and even a bike park for kids.

These new spaces are part of the city’s commitment to providing residents with high-quality, diverse recreational spaces.

Why It Matters
These new parks and the skate rink offer more than just sports facilities—they’re about community connection. As Port St. Lucie continues to grow, these projects will be central to fostering a vibrant, active community.

👉 Your Turn: What’s something you’d love to see at these new parks? Or, should Fort Pierce build a skate rink of its own? Let us know here!

🍊 The Press Round: Don’t Break My Heart!

Tradition is Not Ready! 💔

The completion of the highly anticipated Heart in the Park sculpture in Tradition, Port St. Lucie, has been delayed. Mattamy Homes now expects it to be finished by Spring 2025.

👉 Read more here!

Fort Pierce Employee Demoted After Ethics Violation 🏛️

Vennis Gilmore, Fort Pierce’s assistant planning director, was demoted and given a 7% pay cut for violating city rules in the 2020 Lincoln Park land leasing scandal.

👉 Read more here!

Weedline Grill Opens in Jensen Beach 🍽️

Weedline Grill, a new seafood and grill restaurant in Jensen Beach, opened on Jan. 15. The menu includes smoked meats, hand-breaded seafood, and tropical dishes.

👉 Get the full story here!

🍹The Refill: 🔽 Test Scores Drop..

Quick Take 🚨
Florida students saw a significant decline in national reading and math scores in 2024, marking the lowest levels in over 20 years, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).

Florida Struggles with National Trends 📉
Florida's eighth-graders struggled particularly in math and reading, with scores dropping below national averages for the first time in nearly a decade. The state’s fourth graders saw a similar decline in reading scores, falling to the lowest point since 2003.

Pandemic's Lingering Effects 💔
The pandemic continues to affect student performance, with many children still recovering from the disruptions caused by remote learning. Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz expressed frustration over the results, pointing to possible flaws in the NAEP methodology and calling for improvements.

The Achievement Gap Widened 📚
While some students made progress, the achievement gap between high-performing students and their lower-performing peers widened. Black and Hispanic students continue to face more significant challenges, with fewer students reaching “proficient” levels in reading and math.

Why It Matters 💡
These declining scores highlight the ongoing struggles in education, underscoring the urgent need for reform and targeted support, especially for underperforming and absentee students.

👉 Read more about Florida’s education challenges and what it means for the future here!

 🤳Become A Member: Support Sunland News

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!

🎉 Top Events: Top 5 Clicked Links this Week!

Artist Spotlight 🎨
📅 Friday, January 31 | 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
📍 Cool Beans Brew, Fort Pierce
A new monthly artist spotlight series featuring FPAC artists. This month's event includes a farewell tribute to board member Nicole Robb.
👉 More Info

Dueling Pianos at Hop Life Brewing Company
📅 Friday, January 31, 2025 | 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM
📍 Hop Life Brewing Company, Port Saint Lucie
Join the fun with premier Dueling Pianos! Seating is first come, first served.
👉 Learn More

Concerts by Candlelight - Port St. Lucie
📅 Saturday, February 1, 2025 | 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
📍 Port St. Lucie
Immerse yourself in a mesmerizing candlelit concert featuring live classical music in a beautifully intimate setting.
👉 Find Tickets

Injoy! - Roots Reggae in Fort Pierce
📅 Sunday, February 2, 2025 | 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
📍 Tipsy Tiki, Fort Pierce
Experience a live roots reggae show featuring Ade Rossman and Injoy.
👉 Learn More

Port Saint Lucie Green Markets (Grand Opening!)
📅 Sunday, February 2, 2025 | 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
📍 Port St. Lucie
A brand-new outdoor shopping experience featuring local vendors, fresh produce, and handcrafted goods.
👉 Check It Out

If you have an event, send it to me here

💧 The Last Drop: Breeze’s International Expansion

1. Here's How to Make Your Eggs Last Longer
   Egg prices are rising due to bird flu, with a projected 20% increase in 2025. Learn how to store and freeze eggs to extend shelf life.
   👉 Read More

2. Former Florida Art Museum Director Dies Amid Basquiat Fraud Probe
   Aaron De Groft, former executive director of the Orlando Museum of Art, died following his involvement in the FBI’s Basquiat art forgery investigation.
   👉 Read More

3. Breeze’s International Expansion Teased 🌍
   Breeze Airways is set for international expansion in 2025, with plans for Mexico, Jamaica, and more destinations, as the airline continues its growth surge.
   👉 Read More

4. FDA Approves First Non-Opioid Pain Treatment for Acute Pain
   The FDA has approved Journavx (suzetrigine), a novel non-opioid treatment for moderate to severe acute pain, targeting pain pathways in the nervous system.
   👉 Read More

📸 This is Sunland: Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

A little something different for This is Sunland! I was thankful yesterday, that I wouldn’t record a video to show you my love! Give it watch!

See you Monday!
With love,
Ja’Min

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