Good Morning,

Happy Friday to everyone at Sunland News! If you're struggling with weekend plans, be sure to check out the events section at the end of this email. Here's what you can expect in today's newsletter:

What to Expect:

1. 🚧 Undercover Construction: A sneak peek into the mysterious projects reshaping St. Lucie County.

2. 🥇 Olympic Highlights: Catch up on Simone Biles' latest victory and Team USA's achievements.

3. 🎉 Weekend Events: From disco nights to LEGO expos, there's something for everyone.

Let's dive into the news!

With that said, let's get straight into today's news.

— Ja'Min

Today's Read Time: 5 Minutes

☁️Weather Forecast

Weather TL;DR: Hot and humid with a heat advisory—stay cool and hydrated!

🌤️ Day: High 89°F
🌙 Night: Low 80°F
🌅 Sunrise: 6:45 AM
🌇 Sunset: 8:08 PM

🌧️ Rain: 30% chance of thunderstorms during the day, increasing to 40% at night

🔥 Heat Advisory: 

A heat advisory is in effect from 11 AM to 6 PM. Expect heat index values up to 109°F. The hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses, so take precautions.

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NEWS

🚧 Undercover Construction: St. Lucie County Looks To Build… More Things

If you've been keeping an eye on the rapid growth and changes happening in St. Lucie County, you're not alone. The Economic Development Council (EDC) recently dropped some intriguing news in their mid-year report, outlining a bunch of potential projects that could change how the county would look for years to come. And for some odd reason, they all have a code name.

Let's break it down:

Project Ebenezer aims to build a new 5,000-seat professional sporting venue stadium, possibly boosting local tourism.
Project Eagle could bring a major airline pilot training school to Treasure Coast International Airport.
Project Bears involves a global manufacturer setting up a 250,000-square-foot facility in Port St. Lucie.
Project Hammy is about a local company expanding with a new $2.2 million facility and 30 new jobs.
Project King plans to relocate a major grocery retail and food-service wholesale company to Port St. Lucie.
Project Pillow is another relocation, this time of a wholesale home goods company from South Florida.
Project Sandwich involves an existing manufacturer moving to a new facility within the county.
Project Smile envisions a new corporate HQ and childcare center, adding 35 jobs.
Project Palm Tree will see a foreign company establish its first U.S. manufacturing facility in the county.
Tradition Entertainment District plans to develop 350,000 square feet of shopping, entertainment, and dining space.

While we still don’t have strong details on every project, it’s clear the county doesn’t plan on stopping any time soon as it relates to adding to the already many existing building projects going on.

What your thoughts and feelings on this? Do any of these projects sound interesting to you? Do you want more infrastructure added to the County? Is it too much? Reply to this email and let us know.

Click this to read the report for yourself

🔔Sunland Bulletin

🎒Florida’s back-to-school sales tax holiday: See the included in the sale. [More Info]

🎒 16th Annual Back to School Expo: August 3, 2024, from 8:30 AM - 11:00 AM at Havert L. Fenn Center for the 16th Annual Back to School Expo. Get free on-site services including school physicals, sports physicals, health insurance applications, immunizations, developmental screenings, fingerprinting, and backpacks & supplies for the first 650 students.

School buses aren’t back on the road yet, but you still need to check the traffic: Check the traffic situation before heading out

📰Other News

🍊 FLORIDA AT LARGE

🏠 Port Saint Lucie is building a new police academy: Construction has started [More Info]

🌍 WORLD AT LARGE

🥇 The Olympics Highlights: Simone Biles clinched gold in the women's gymnastics all-around final, making it her sixth Olympic gold and ninth overall medal. Fellow Team USA gymnast Suni Lee earned a bronze medal. | The US men's rowing team secured their first gold medal in the men's four class since 1960. | Check out the overall medal count. [More Info]

🪮Sunland Picks

📷 Follow The Sunland News Instagram

📸This Is Saint Lucie

🗓️Things To Do

🎉 Disco Night Gala:
When: Saturday, 7-11 p.m.
Where: Sunrise Theatre, 117 S. Second St., Fort Pierce
What: The Sunrise Theatre Foundation's fundraising event will transform the theatre into Studio 117, recreating the disco club experience of New York City's infamous Studio 54. Enjoy live music, celebrity look-alikes, food, a costume contest, aerial performers, an exotic car exhibition, silent auctions, and a screening of "Saturday Night Fever."
Cost: $150
More Info

🧱 LEGO Fan Expo:
When: Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon, 1-3 p.m., 4-6 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to noon, 1-3 p.m.
Where: MIDFLORIDA Event Center, 9221 S.E. Event Center Place, Port St. Lucie
What: Explore intricate LEGO exhibits and participate in building activities at this exciting event showcasing the works of celebrated artists and builders.
Cost: Free for ages 4 and younger, $12.99 plus fees for general admission
More Info

🎶 Lineup at Square Grouper:
Where: Square Grouper, 1920 Seaway Drive, Fort Pierce
What: Enjoy live music performances:

• Lance Baitsholts: Friday, Aug. 2, 3-6 p.m.

• Vibes Farm: Friday, Aug. 2, 8-11 p.m.

• T-Bone: Saturday, Aug. 3, 3-6 p.m.

• Wang Dang Doodle: Saturday, Aug. 3, 8-11 p.m.

🎉 Fort Pierce Friday Fest:
When: August 2, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Where: Downtown Fort Pierce
What: Join the fun with live music, food vendors, and more in downtown Fort Pierce.

🃏 The Port Saint Lucie Sports Cards & Collectibles Show:
When: Saturday, Aug. 3, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Where: Polish American Club Convention Center, 343 NW Prima Vista Blvd, Port Saint Lucie, FL 34983
What: A perfect event for collectors and enthusiasts to explore a wide variety of sports cards and collectibles.

🥩 18th Annual Steak Dinner & Auction:
When: Saturday, August 3, starting at 6 p.m.
Where: St. Lucie County Fairgrounds
What: Hosted by the Beef Builder’s 4-H Club, enjoy a steak dinner, silent and live auctions, and door prizes.

🍽️ Sunday Dinner for People Homeless or Food Insecure:
When: Sunday, Aug. 4, 11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Where: 515 N US-1, Fort Pierce, FL 34950
What: Hosted by Reach Outreach, this event provides meals and support for neighbors who are homeless or food insecure in downtown Fort Pierce.

🌮 Exciting Announcement at Tipsy Tiki:
What: Tacos Downtown food truck is joining Tipsy Tiki to bring delicious tacos and more! Enjoy mouthwatering dishes while grooving to live music under the stars. It's the perfect blend of great food, refreshing cocktails, and vibrant atmosphere.

🕹️ Sunland Games