Good Morning, Sunland News!

There’s a lot going on around town, from new construction projects kicking off to others never getting started. We're deep in the election season, and community events are happening everywhere. My goal is to keep you as informed as possible.

When I started Sunland News, my mission was to document life in the county from the perspective of someone living here—on the ground, so to speak. I promise to get better at that every time I send this newsletter. Thank you for being here! Now, let’s get into the news.

— Ja'Min

What to Expect:

1. 🏞️🅿️Think National Park, but a Resort with a National Park

2. 🥇 Let’s Talk Politics, Kind of: ✅ The Results Are In....

3. 🎉 Week Events:🗣️ Spanish and English Language Exchange Group

📚 Read Time: 5.63 Minutes

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☁️ Weather Forecast

Weather TL;DR: "Rain, Rain Go Away."

🌡️ Expect a mix of clouds, sun, and showers throughout the day, with storms likely this evening. Watch for possible localized flooding and stay dry out there!

🌤️ Day: High 89°F
🌙 Night: Low 75°F
🌅 Sunrise: 6:55 AM
🌇 Sunset: 7:52 PM

🌧️ Rain: 40% chance of showers this afternoon, increasing to 80% with thunderstorms tonight.

NEWS

🏞️Think National Park, but a Resort with a National Park

State parks aren't immune to Florida's growth era. Imagine this: “This used to be the grounds of a historic tree,” says a man, grabbing his 9 iron. “Now, it’s where the back 9 starts.”

This scene could be the future as state parks, like Jonathan Dickinson in Stuart, may evolve from hiking havens into recreational hotspots—think golf courses, lodges, even pickleball courts (seriously, I’ve never seen a recreational sport have such a meteoric rise).

This could become a reality as the state’s environmental agency considers plans to expand recreational amenities in several parks, including Jonathan Dickinson State Park just a county over in Stuart.

Governor Ron DeSantis’ environmental team is floating ideas to bolster Florida’s “outdoor recreation economy” by adding more lodging options and recreational facilities. However, details remain scarce, sparking concerns among environmental groups who fear these developments might compromise the pristine habitats that make the parks so special.

If you care about the future of parks, now's the time to pay attention. The state has scheduled public meetings on August 27th to discuss these proposed changes at nine parks, including Jonathan Dickinson just up the road.

Here’s the idea of what this could look like below:

So, what do you think? Should we embrace these changes for the potential economic benefits, or should we be more cautious about altering the landscape that makes Florida’s state parks unique?

🔔 Sunland Bulletin

🚧🅿️ Sheraton Plaza Recreation Area Field Renovations
Starting Monday, August 26, the multipurpose fields at Sheraton Plaza Recreation Area will be closed for renovations, lasting through Tuesday, October 1, weather permitting. During this time, St. Lucie County Parks staff will be leveling the fields to improve irrigation and drainage. The playground and basketball court will remain open.

🚧 Traffic Detours Starting September 3rd: Starting September 3rd, expect traffic detours on State Road A1A between U.S. 1 and Old Dixie Highway in Fort Pierce. This is part of a bridge and roadway construction project set to last until late 2026. Eastbound and westbound lanes on SR A1A will be detoured via Juanita Avenue and CR 605/Old Dixie Highway. Access to residences and businesses will be maintained during the construction.

NEWS

🖼 Let’s Talk Politics, Kind of…

While Sunland News doesn’t cover politics directly, last night’s primary election results were significant, and it’s crucial to stay informed about the winners and losers as we head toward the November elections. The St. Lucie County Supervisor of Elections has tallied the results, and we’ve got the breakdown for you. [Learn More Here]

📰Other News

🚤 TREASURE COAST AT LARGE

King’s Landing Contract Amendment Discussed: Fort Pierce City Commission approved a second amendment to the King’s Landing development contract after debating a last-minute joint-venture agreement between Audubon Development and Harbert Realty Services. They barely snuck in, but the amendment gives them 180 days to finalize the partnership. Some commissioners were concerned about the timing of the document submissions, but the agreement ultimately passed with a 3-2 vote.

🍊 FLORIDA AT LARGE

🥽 Buc-ee’s Wants A Really Big Sign: Buc-ee’s got approval for a 100-foot-tall sign, amending the county’s Land Development Code to permit it. The project is still in the preliminary development stage. [More Info]

🌍 WORLD AT LARGE

🥇📷 Circle K looks for a massive 7-11 takeover: In a potential game-changing move for the convenience store industry, 7-Eleven's parent company, Seven & i Holdings, is considering a $38 billion takeover offer from Canada's Couche-Tard, known for its Circle K brand. If successful, this would be the largest-ever foreign acquisition of a Japanese company, creating a convenience store giant with over 100,000 locations worldwide. [More Info]

🪮Sunland Picks

📸This Is Saint Lucie

📢 Got an Event?

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🗓️ Things To Do

🕛 August 21: Covering the Bases - SLCTV Studios
🕛 Time: 12:00 PM
📍 Location: SLCTV Studios
Join the live studio audience for this exciting discussion, part of the Chamber of Commerce's event series.

💼 August 21: City of Port St. Lucie Community Job Fair 2024
🕒 Time: 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM
📍 Location: MIDFLORIDA Event Center, 9221 SE Event Center Pl, Port St. Lucie, FL
A perfect opportunity for job seekers to explore new opportunities and network with local businesses.

🗣️ August 21: Spanish and English Language Exchange Group
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 Location: Fort Pierce, FL
Practice your language skills in a supportive, bilingual environment with sessions led by skilled tutors every other Thursday.

🎤 August 21: Comedy Open Mic Night
🕖 Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
📍 Location: Three Tides Caribbean Restaurant & Bar, 269 SW Port Saint Lucie Blvd, Port St. Lucie, FL
Join for an evening of laughter as local comedians take the stage to share their jokes and stories.

🕹️ Sunland Games