Good Monday Morning, Saint Lucie!

Thank you all for being here! We have a few new readers from over the weekend, so welcome aboard! If you're new, please let us know what you'd like to see in the newsletter.

For those who have been with us, thank you for your constant feedback and thoughts on Sunland News. Your input helps us grow and improve.

Let's start the week off right!

— Ja'Min

What to Expect:

1. 🌐 SL Public Schools provides free/lower-cost internet services: Free or lower-cost internet services to qualifying students

2. 🥇 Olympic Highlights: Florida Native Noah Lyles said it, and it happened! Noah Lyles wins gold in men's 100-meter Olympic final.

3. 🎉 Week Events: Crabby's Dockside School Employee Appreciation Event

📚 Read Time: 6.28 Minutes

☁️ Weather Forecast

Weather TL;DR: Windy with showers; Grab the umbrella, and duck for cover.

🌤️ Day: High 89°F
🌙 Night: Low 79°F
🌅 Sunrise: 6:47 AM
🌇 Sunset: 8:06 PM

🌧️ Rain: 70% chance of showers during the day, 24% chance at night

⚠️ Severe Weather Advisory ⚠️ 

Expect strong winds from the south at 20 to 30 mph with steady rain in the afternoon. Stay safe and avoid outdoor activities if possible.

NEWS

🌐 Expanding Internet Access for St. Lucie Public School Students

This is pretty amazing! With the school year right around the corner, the Education Foundation of St. Lucie County and St. Lucie Public Schools are stepping up to offer free or lower-cost internet services to qualifying students. With each passing year, the importance of internet access for education and daily life continues to grow, and not everyone can afford consistent, high-quality internet.

In collaboration with St. Lucie County and Comcast, this initiative aims to provide multiple options for families with students enrolled in St. Lucie Public Schools. The goal is to ensure that every student has the necessary tools for success in the digital age.

Here's how it works:

• New Internet Users: If you currently don't have internet access, you could be eligible for free Comcast internet with speeds of 100/20 Mbps.

• Current Comcast Subscribers: If you're already on a regular Comcast plan and want to maintain your service level, you might qualify for a $30 monthly credit.

• ACP Participants: If you previously had internet through the federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), you could continue receiving free service by switching to this plan.

To kick off this initiative, an RSVP-only event is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 7, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the School District Office, located at 9461 Brandywine Lane, Port St. Lucie, FL 34986. To reserve your spot, call the School District at (772) 429-3660.

"Our initiative is a testament to our commitment to ensuring that every public school student in our community has the tools they need to succeed in the digital age," said Thom Jones, president of the Education Foundation of St. Lucie County. "With reliable internet access, students have equal access to education, enhanced learning opportunities, and expanding career and college openings to help them reach their goals."

For more information, visit efslc.org or call (772) 485-4790.

🔔 Sunland Bulletin

🦀 Crabby's Dockside Ft. Pierce Celebrates Local Teachers Giving away $2,000 in prizes. Recently Crabby's Dockside held their 5th Annual Give Back Event, celebrating local teachers by fulfilling their Amazon Wish Lists. Winners received $250 Amazon Gift Cards, while runner-ups enjoyed $100 Beachside Hospitality Group Gift Cards. Congratulations to all the deserving educators! [Read More Here]

⛈ The City of Fort Pierce is offering free self-serve sandbag stations for residents

At Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dreamland Park (S. 25th St.), Pioneer Park (Ave M and N. 29th St.), and Jaycee Park (South Hutchinson Island). Residents should bring their own bags and a shovel. Parks are open daily from dawn to dusk. For more info regarding sand distribution, please call the Public Works Department at 772-467-3794.

🎒 Back-to-School Open Houses

St. Lucie Public Schools are gearing up for the new school year with open house events! Elementary schools will host their open houses on Thursday, August 8, while K-8, middle, and high schools will welcome students and parents on Friday, August 9. For detailed information and specific times, check out the Open House PDF.

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NEWS

🖼 New Highwaymen Mural in Fort Pierce

It's been a lifelong dream of mine to create a proper film in any capacity about the Highwaymen. From hearing stories about the immense talent and impact this group has had on our city to waking up every morning and admiring a passed-down Highwaymen painting, I've always appreciated just how deeply their art has infiltrated homes, both near and far. It's something I'm striving to emulate with this newsletter, capturing the essence and spirit of the community.

That's why I'm thrilled to share that the Fort Pierce Redevelopment Agency (FPRA) has completed the latest mural in the PAD Mural Program, titled “Poinciana’s Hand.” Located at 117 North 5th Street, this stunning mural pays homage to the iconic Florida Highwaymen artists, capturing the essence of their renowned Florida landscape style. A big shoutout to property owner James Goertler for his vision and the incredibly talented Ivan Garcia for bringing this piece to life.

The Highwaymen rose to prominence right here in Fort Pierce, leaving an indelible mark on our city's artistic heritage. This mural is a celebration of their contribution to our cultural identity and history. The FPRA's initiative aims to attract positive attention, foster economic growth, and elevate the beauty of our beloved Peacock Arts District.

Stay tuned as the next canvas at 717 Orange Avenue takes shape! Just as the Highwaymen's work has touched so many lives, I look forward to sharing the ongoing impact of these community-driven projects.

📰Other News

🚤 TREASURE COAST AT LARGE

🥽 New hotel, other improvements at Vero Beach airport driven by the success of Breeze Airways: A new hotel could be built at Vero Beach Regional Airport. [More Info]

🍊 FLORIDA AT LARGE

🥽 Florida Native Bobby Finke sets 1,500 freestyle world record on final night of Olympic swimming: Finke sets 1,500 freestyle world record touching in 14 minutes, 30.67 seconds [More Info]

🌍 WORLD AT LARGE

🥇📷 Another Olympic photo finish win! (and another win for Florida) Noah Lyles wins gold in men's 100-meter Olympic final. Lyles secured the country's first gold medal in the men’s 100 in 20 years with a personal-best time of 9.79 seconds [More Info]

🪮Sunland Picks

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📸This Is Saint Lucie

🏫 Class of 84’ FPC/Westwood High School Reunion

The phone read 6:07. AM? PM? I wasn’t sure. I had just woken up from a much-needed nap to a call from my mom, asking me to meet her just up the road from my grandma’s house. “We are celebrating our class of '84 reunion. Come get a plate.” I'll never turn down free food; that's one of my golden rules in life. I hopped in the car and took a drive that really could have been a walk to a beautiful home right in Sunland.

What I showed up to was not just the food, but community. People from the city coming together, music blaring, grills firing, tinfoil being torn to cover what would be an amazing meal, and cards laid out, waiting for someone to dare pick them up and start a spades game. The whole nine yards. It just made me smile. It made me happy. And of course, I don’t leave the house without some type of camera, so I was able to capture the moment.

Forty years! A number like that shouldn't be taken lightly. Thank you, class of '84, for feeding me and allowing me to capture our community. THIS IS SAINT LUCIE. THIS IS SUNLAND.

🗓️ Things To Do

🍤 Crabby's Dockside School Employee Appreciation Event: Head over to Crabby's Dockside in Ft. Pierce on Tuesday, August 6th, for a special appreciation event. All St. Lucie County school employees, including bus drivers, teachers, support staff, custodians, and grounds crew members, can enjoy 50% off their meal (up to $20) with valid proof of employment (paystub, faculty ID, etc.). Dine-in only. [More Info Here]

🎶 Music Bingo at Hop Life Brewing Company: Join for an exciting evening of Music Bingo at Hop Life Brewing Company! The event takes place every Tuesday, including this Tuesday, August 6th, from 7 PM to 10 PM. Enjoy new playlists every week, try your hand at winning gift cards, and enjoy a full food menu alongside a selection of over 23 craft beers on draft. Located at 679 NW Enterprise Drive, Suite #101, Port Saint Lucie, FL.

🎤 Open Mic Night at Pineapple Joe's!: Come out for a fun-filled night of live music and entertainment at Pineapple Joe's Grill & Raw Bar on Wednesday, August 7th, from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM. Located at 6297 N US Highway 1, Fort Pierce, FL, this event invites you to showcase your talents with Steven Phillipe hosting the open mic. Bring your instrument or mic if you want to perform!

🕹️ Sunland Games