Good Morning, Sunland
It’s Friday! We made it! Let’s jump right in! Alright…
🌡️ Weather Update: Storms creeping in with heat that won’t quit.
🌤️ Day: High of 93°F | Scattered afternoon thunderstorms
🌙 Night: Low of 74°F | Partly cloudy with warm, sticky air. Winds SSW at 5–10 mph.
🌅 Sunrise: 6:45 AM | 🌇 Sunset: 8:09 PM
🌔 Moonrise: 1:54 PM | 🌘 Moonset: 12:11 AM
🎶 Sounds like: “I Like It” by DeBarge
Ja’Min Devon
💌 One Year In
Sunland turns 1 today. It’s been a long, beautiful, honest year. A year of 3AM writing, stories I probably wouldn’t have heard otherwise, and a whole lot of grace. I’m grateful for every single one of you. And we’ve only just begun.
So today is August 1st, and that means I’ve been writing Sunland News for a full year now.
And it’s been a journey. A hard one. But worth it. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what this newsletter has meant, not just to me, but to the people who read it. And something I keep coming back to is this: Sunland keeps me honest.
Whether it’s being up at 3:30 in the morning like I am right now. Whether it’s people stopping me on the street, asking questions because they trust I’ve been paying attention. Whether it’s stories I see and choose not to run, because they’re not what I want us waking up to in the morning. It keeps me honest.
It hasn’t been perfect. But people still read. People still support. People still show grace. And that means everything.
When I started this thing, I said I wanted a 50-year idea. Something I could grow with. I’m one year in and honestly, I think I might’ve undershot. This thing breathes. It matters. And I love it here.
Some stories that really stuck with me:
🌪️ The week we turned into Tornado Valley after Hurricane Milton
🏀 The passing of Coach Fenn
📚 Breaking the school merger news before anyone else
🌀 The little things, the quiet stories I wouldn’t have noticed if not for Sunland
And the newsletter itself has changed a lot too. It’s sharper now. Better design. Stronger voice. More love.
I thought about taking a break next week. But I’ve got plenty more years to take breaks. Right now, I’m just thankful. And I’m ready for what’s next.
I’ve got big ideas. A podcast. A bookstore. Maybe even a market. But most of all, I just want to keep showing up. Keep building. Keep telling the story of this place.
So thank you. Whether you’ve been reading since day one or you just found me last week. Whether you open every issue or only glance when you’ve got the time. I appreciate you.
Here’s to year two and many more.
🏛️ Press Round: Shelter Plans, Fee Hikes, and Flat Taxes
🏨 Fort Pierce Veteran Shelter Finally Moving Forward
After years of talk, St. Lucie County is officially moving to turn the old Relax Inn into a shelter for homeless veterans. The $500K+ project will offer 13 rooms and wraparound services like mental health support, job training, and transportation. Officials hope to open by next summer.
🗑️ PSL Garbage Fees Going Up
Port St. Lucie residents will see a $20.89 increase in annual garbage fees starting October. Rising landfill rates from St. Lucie County and inflation-driven contract bumps are behind the hike, though the city negotiated lower tipping fees than originally proposed.
💰 Martin Keeps Tax Rate Flat
Martin County approved a tentative $763M budget while keeping millage rates steady. Commissioner Vargas cast the lone no vote, calling for tighter spending and warning against new debt as inflation and capital costs rise.
🤩 People Pass: Fort Pierce in Flux
A lot is happening at City Hall right now. Who’s stepping in, who’s stepping out, and what it means for the rest of us. We broke it all down.
🎉 The Top Events This Week
Friday, August 1
🎉 Friday Fest – Marina Square, Fort Pierce. Food trucks, live bands & family fun on the waterfront. | 5:30 – 8:30 PM | Free | Link
🛍️ Children’s Business Fair (Rescheduled for Friday) – 921 Orange Ave., Fort Pierce, FL, United States, Florida Kid entrepreneurs (ages 7-17) sell their creations & learn CEO skills. | 10 AM – 4 PM | Free | Link
🎨 Sip, Paint & Create – Adults Night Out! – Make a body butter, cologne or perfume; wine, vibes & fundraising for Spartans 10U. | 7 PM | $40 | Details
😂 Hilarious Stand-up Comedy (Riverside Theatre) – Two nationally touring comedians in an intimate cabaret setup. | 6:30 PM | Varies | Details
🚗 Drive-In Movie Night: Thunderbolts – Treasure Coast Park & Watch. Big-screen action under the stars; price is per vehicle. | Movie 8:30 PM (gates 7 PM) | ~$20/vehicle | Link
If you have an event, send it to me here
💧 The Last Drop: Around Town Updates
🎉 Festival Street ideas Have your say at Friday Fest on Aug 1 or drop quick feedback online – share your vision
🥗 School-meal form = money saved Lock in free / reduced lunches + test-fee & internet perks – apply now
📚 Kilmer Library closed Aug 1 One-day A/C repair; use the book drop or other branches – see details
📸 This is Sunland: Real Community!
The very first, last photo I put for the newsletter
Thank you for everybody reading this every single day/ I love you all! Another 49 years we go! LOL.
See you Monday!
With Love, Ja’Min
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