Good Morning, Sunland
It’s Friday! We made it! I know many of you, including myself, are incredibly excited about the upcoming three-day weekend. That being said, I will be taking a break from writing Sunland on Monday. I’ve learned that when the opportunity for a break arises, it’s right to seize it, reset, and return to work feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. That’s exactly what I’ll be doing. Thank you all so much for your understanding. I’ll see you on Tuesday. Alright…
ICYMI! If you searching for something to do, check yesterday’s HUGE event list here
Watch This: We’ve been really pouring into the Sunland Instagram! This is a video with a couple more community events for you! Watch here…
🌡️ Weather Update: Stormy skies, steamy air, and a moody night ahead.
☀️ Day: High of 90°F | Partly cloudy early, thunderstorms firing up by the afternoon.
🌙 Night: Low of 73°F | Evening thunderstorms, then clearing skies after midnight.
🌅 Sunrise: 6:59 AM | 🌇 Sunset: 7:44 PM
🌙 Moonrise: 12:39 PM | 🌙 Moonset: 11:18 PM
🎶 Sounds like: “Get On Up” — Jodeci
Ja’Min Devon
🟣 Sponsored: Hurricane season is here. Is your home covered?
S.E. Benchmark is local, responsive, and ready to help you protect your home!
Get a free quote at sebenchmark.com or call 772-742-2626.
🏥 Main Squeeze: St. Lucie County Makes History with First-in-Nation Medical Programs
TL;DR: Indian River State College could become the first community college in America with a medical school, while Treasure Coast High School just launched Florida's first state-approved nursing program at a public high school. Both programs are happening right here in St. Lucie County, which makes for a very interesting future when it comes to healthcare education.
What happened:
IRSC unveiled plans Monday to partner with Via College of Osteopathic Medicine to create what would be the nation's first medical school attached to a community college. The program would be based at the Pruitt Campus in Port St. Lucie, with construction potentially wrapping up within 24 months once fundraising is complete. Meanwhile, Treasure Coast High School announced yesterday it officially launched Florida's first state-approved Licensed Practical Nursing program at a public high school, meaning students can graduate with both a diploma and nursing certification ready to enter the healthcare field.
The community context:
The excitement is palpable on social media. Parents and students are celebrating Treasure Coast High School’s nursing program launch, with comments flooding in about students who started the program two weeks ago and are loving it. For IRSC, this medical school plan represents a massive leap from community college to something approaching university status. The college is even planning a third charter school specifically for health sciences that would feed directly into these medical programs. Think about that pipeline: high school nursing program, charter school health sciences, community college medical degree, all happening within a few miles of each other.
Key details:
IRSC's medical school would be VCOM's fifth campus nationwide
First two years would be classroom-based at Pruitt Campus
New health sciences charter school also planned for the same campus
First graduating doctors could emerge in about 10 years
Treasure Coast High students can now become LPNs before college
Both programs are firsts in their categories nationally and statewide
💬 Got thoughts on these programs? Share your take here
🗞 Press Round: Heart in Hearts out!
🎨 Vero Eatery Expanding
Pepper & Salt BBQ is opening a new concept in Vero Beach: a modern, build-your-own bowl and wrap spot on Royal Palm Pointe. Opening is set for October 2025.
📉 Painted Hearts Removed
Port St. Lucie removed the heart-shaped street art honoring Jessica Clinton and others due to new FDOT rules banning roadway art. The city says the hearts will return, relocated to the park’s parking lot.
🏡 Guest Houses as Housing Help
Martin County is exploring policy changes that would allow homeowners to rent out guest houses, garage apartments, and tiny homes. Officials say it could ease pressure on the housing market, though zoning rules will still apply.
🤩 People Pass: What your support means!
From school coverage to better tools like play.sunlandnews.com, every upgrade you see is made possible by readers who pitch in. Thank you to everyone who already has. This is what the People Pass makes possible. Want to support it too?
🎉 The Top Events This Week!
Friday, Aug 29
🎬 Free Family Movie Night – Community movie with food trailer at Vero Beach Nazarene Church | 7 PM | Free | Details
Saturday, Aug 30
⚾ Swing into Summer Reading – Chamber event rescheduled as Back to School Night at St. Lucie Mets | 5 PM | Ticketed | Details
🎨 Highwaymen Art Show and Soul Food – Local art exhibition with food at Highwaymen Art Gallery in Fort Pierce | 11 AM–4 PM | $19.10 | Details
🥂 Brunch & Beatz – Bottomless mimosas, crafty cocktails, and DJ at Meating Street | 11 AM–2 PM | Menu prices | Details
🚗 Downtown Stuart Car & Bike Show – Classic automotive display in historic downtown Stuart | 9 AM–12 PM | Free | Details
Sunday, Aug 31
If you have an event, send it to me here
📸 This is Sunland: Photo Finish!
Thank You To Everyone!
See you Monday Tuesday!
With Love, Ja’Min
📖 Thanks For Reading: How was today’s newsletter?
👋 Thanks for reading! If you found it useful, consider sharing it with a friend.
📱 Keep up with the Sunland News: Send comments & suggestions to [email protected] Follow us on, Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube
🙋♂️ Did someone forward you this? Subscribe Below!
