Good Morning,

A huge welcome to everyone from the Fort Pierce Connection Community on Facebook! Thank you all for joining us. Sunland News will be a fun, engaging, and artful experience, delivering all things Saint Lucie County to your inbox every morning, Monday through Friday. Now, with that being said, let's get into the news.

— Ja'Min

⁉️Question of the Day: What's your favorite hidden gem/restaurant/mural anything in Saint Lucie County that you think everyone should know about?

Respond to this email and let us know!

Today’s Read Time: 5.12 Minutes

☁️ Weather Forecast

Weather TL;DR: Another summer day, with rain. Grab the umbrella just in case. And, just leave it in the car.

🌤️ Day: High 89°F
🌙 Night: Low 77°F
🌅 Sunrise: 6:44 AM
🌇 Sunset: 8:10 PM

🌧️ Rain: 60% chance of scattered thunderstorms

NEWS

🚘 People are saying Florida Can’t Drive… We Should Feel Attacked

Tracking our car driving data aside, a new report from Allstate America shows that Port St. Lucie has earned the title of having the speediest drivers in the entire country. That's right—out of 100 cities, we came in dead last for safe driving when it comes to speed.

The Allstate Best Driving study ranks cities based on how safely people drive, factoring in things like hard braking, speeding, and phone use while driving. Apparently, in the speeding category, Port St. Lucie hit the bottom of the list. Now, this ranking is based on data collected through Allstate's mobile app, which tracks driving habits. But here's the kicker: the app's data only covers drivers who have Allstate insurance, which is about 10.5% of Florida drivers. So, while the results are shocking, they might not paint the full picture. (State Farm got something to say!)

While speeding has been up, we've managed to keep fatalities below the state and national averages. So, not too shabby on that part. But let's be real—speeding in an attempt to “save time” comes at a very high cost.

All that being said, be sure to stay safe on the road.

🔔 Sunland Bulletin

🍕 New Restaurant Alert❗: New Pie Hole Wood Fired Pizza is opening in Port Saint Lucie! The flyer says “Coming This Summer”, but it will be located on US 1 near the old Pappa Louie’s Restaurant!

🚧 Road Closure Alert: A section of Midway Road (CR 712) in Fort Pierce will be closed for drainage work from August 2-5 and August 9-12. The closure affects the stretch between NW Corporate Way and NW Milner Drive. Traffic will be detoured through NW Corporate Way and NW Milner Drive. Expect delays and exercise caution. This is part of a project to widen the road and improve infrastructure, scheduled for completion by Summer 2026.

💈 Slate’s Barber Shop 12th Annual Back-to-School Supply Giveaway: Honoring the legendary Darin Slater, this event will feature a back-to-school giveaway at the Sunland Garden’s Clubhouse on August 10th at 11 AM. [Flyer]

🚦Just when you thought you were on time, an Orange Detour Sign 😭: Be sure the check the traffic situation before heading out

NEWS

🚲 The Growing Concern of Bicycle Safety in Saint Lucie County

Staying on the topic of road safety, bicycle deaths are on the rise across the Treasure Coast, particularly this summer. Before I even read the latest report, I had an eye-opening experience that really hit home. I was driving north on St. James toward Fort Pierce when I spotted a huge group of kids riding bikes. There were about 60 to 70 kids, having a blast and taking up the road in the process (hard not to with 60 people). As you'd expect, cars started zooming by, honking as they passed the kids with little regard for their safety. I stopped to take a group picture of the kids and remind them to stay safe out there. This moment was rewarding on many levels but reminded me to keep an eye out for your surroundings.

We all know that one person who rides their bike in the middle of the road despite a clear sidewalk. While bike lanes exist for a reason, taking a little extra time to check your surroundings can go a long way in keeping everyone safe.

A Closer Look at the Numbers in Saint Lucie County:

The data shows that the issue is not just anecdotal; it's a growing concern. Here's a breakdown of bicycle crashes and fatalities in Saint Lucie County over the past few years:

• 2018: 1 fatality among 80 crashes

• 2019: 1 fatality among 102 crashes

• 2020: No fatalities among 88 crashes

• 2021: 2 fatalities among 106 crashes

• 2022: 5 fatalities among 112 crashes

• 2023: 4 fatalities among 129 crashes

• 2024: No fatalities among 69 crashes (so far)

In total, there have been 13 fatalities among 686 crashes, accounting for nearly 2% of incidents. These numbers underscore the importance of road safety, especially as our community grows and more people take to the streets, whether on four wheels or two.

As we continue to navigate the challenges of road safety, let's remember to look out for each other. Whether it's a quick glance around before making a turn or giving cyclists a little extra space, small actions can make a big difference. Let's work together to make Saint Lucie County a safer place for everyone, whether they're behind the wheel or on a bike.

Stay safe out there, and don't hesitate to share your thoughts or experiences by responding to this email. Let's keep the conversation going and make a difference in our community!

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📰 Other News

🍊 FLORIDA AT LARGE

🏫 Florida's School System Ranking: Florida has landed at No. 11 in WalletHub's 2024 ranking of the best and worst school systems in the country. [More Info]

🌍 WORLD AT LARGE

🥇 The Olympics: The US won gold in the women’s gymnastics team final, as Simone Biles became the most decorated US Olympic gymnast ever. [More Info]

🛰️ The Olympics Again (Kind of): Astronauts Hold Their Own Olympics on Board Space Station 😂 [More Info]

📸 This Is Saint Lucie

🗓️ Things To Do

🎤 Music of Elvis, Frank Sinatra & Other Crooners - Vocalist Randy Earll: Enjoy an evening of classic American hits at Harmony Music Lounge & Bar, located at 116 Ave. A (Marina Way), Fort Pierce, FL. The event takes place today from 7 PM to 10 PM. Randy Earll will be performing beloved songs from legends like Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra, mixed with other romantic and soft classic American tunes. For just a $5 entertainment fee, you can enjoy this fantastic live music experience. Plus, there's a $6 wine tasting available—just ask your server!

🎉 Fort Pierce Friday Fest: It’s (basically) already August. This means Friday Fest is back. August 2nd @ 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm, Downtown Fort Pierce. You know the drill.

🃏 The Port Saint Lucie Sports Cards & Collectibles Show: Head to the Polish American Club Convention Center, 343 NW Prima Vista Blvd, Port Saint Lucie, FL 34983, on Saturday, Aug 3rd, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. This event, hosted by the Port Saint Lucie Trading Card Show, is perfect for collectors and enthusiasts. Explore a wide variety of sports cards and collectibles.

🥩 18th Annual Steak Dinner & Auction: The Beef Builder’s 4-H Club, along with LeeAnn Williams-Black and Carly Hamrick, is hosting this fantastic event on Saturday, August 3rd, starting at 6 PM at the St. Lucie County Fairgrounds! . Enjoy a delicious steak dinner, participate in silent and live auctions, win door prizes.

🍽️ Sunday Dinner for People Homeless or Food Insecure: This event, hosted by Reach Outreach, takes place at 515 N US-1, Fort Pierce, FL 34950. Sunday, Aug 4th, from 11:30 AM to 12:15 PM. The event provides meals and support for neighbors who are homeless or food insecure in downtown Fort Pierce.

🕹️ Sunland Games

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