Good Morning, Sunland
It's Tuesday! And let's jump right in.
👁️ Caught my eye: El Mas Chingon Tequila Bar & Grill opened on Orange Avenue across from 7-Eleven near I-95 in Fort Pierce. Mexican restaurant and tequila bar with tequila flights. Definitely interested in trying it.
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Alright, let's jump right in!
Ja’Min Devon
📚 Main Squeeze: Teacher Vacancy Data Released Days Before Night of the Stars Celebration
Shout out to all the teachers nominated and who won at Night of the Stars. For the uninitiated, Night of the Stars is literally our Oscars, our Grammys for St. Lucie County educators. It's a showcase that highlights the amazing work teachers are doing, whether that be first year teacher, minority educator, teacher of the year, and school-related employees who keep things moving for our schools. Principals and assistant principals get honored too. I grew up watching it, then recording it for many years while I attended Lincoln Park Academy. Now I get to sit in the crowd. Pretty amazing.
The Data: Days before the celebration, new numbers from the Florida Education Association showed teacher vacancies jumped 753% from August 2025 to January 2026. St. Lucie Public Schools employs 85 long-term substitutes with temporary certificates. Vacancies jumped from 23 in August 2024 to 105 in January 2025, dropped to 15 in August 2025, then spiked again.
What's Happening: District spokesperson Lydia Martin said a majority of the 85 long-term substitutes are working with temporary certificates while earning their professional certificate. The district continues to post these positions as open to gain applicants, particularly if someone doesn't complete certification requirements.
The "Ghost Jobs": "Some of these jobs we talk about, what I call, ghost jobs," said David Freeland, president of the Education Association of St. Lucie. "It's posted, but there is somebody in the classroom who's nearly completed their certification requirements. So the hope is when they complete their requirements they will stay in that classroom."
The Difference: Professional certificate holders must demonstrate "Mastery of General Knowledge" and "Mastery of Professional Preparation and Education Competence." The temporary certificate is only valid for five years and isn't renewable.
District Response: Martin said schools continue to operate normally because campuses are fully staffed with qualified adults. The district has recruitment efforts including bringing former students who become teachers back as employees, job fairs, and bonuses from referendum funds.
Sponsored: Stoney’s $6 Tuesday
Tuesdays and Wednesdays just got better at Stoney's. Every Tuesday and Wednesday, get any lunch bowl for just $6. Same portions. Same flavor. Better price.
Starts at 11 AM.
Pull up to Stoney's and grab lunch for six bucks.
📍 912 N 25th St, Fort Pierce
🥳 Out-of-Towner: Feb 10 - Feb 17
Tuesday, Feb 10 - 15
🎭 MJ THE MUSICAL – Tony Award-winning Michael Jackson musical at Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd, West Palm Beach. | 7:30–10 PM | Get Tickets
Friday, Feb 13
🍷 51st Annual West Palm Beach Greek Food & Wine Festival – Authentic Greek cuisine, live band, dance performances at 110 Southern Blvd, West Palm Beach. | Fri-Sun, Feb 13-15, Fri 11 AM–10 PM | Visit Festival
Saturday, Feb 14
🎨 44th Annual Art in the Park – Fine art & crafts exhibit by Vero Beach Art Club at Humiston Park, 3000 Ocean Dr, Vero Beach. | 10 AM–4 PM | Event Info
🥬 Coco Market Jupiter – Wellness vendors, yoga, movement classes, workshops at Seabreeze Amphitheater, Jupiter. | 9 AM–3 PM | Learn More
🛍️ Intracoastal Sunday Market February 2026 – Local vendors, plants, live music in beer garden at Intracoastal Brewing Company, 652 W Eau Gallie Blvd, Melbourne. | Noon–4 PM | Shop Market
If you have an event, send it to me here
💧 The Last Drop: Iguanas, Delays, and Rankings
🏢 Stuart employee allegedly resided in city-owned building – Martin County Press reports former Financial Services Director Louis Boglioli stayed at 400 SW Federal Highway with permission from ex-City Manager Michael Mortell. Building not zoned residential, no lease or commission approval. City credit card allegedly used for $525 mattress, furniture. Stuart residence
🚄 Stuart Brightline station delayed until spring 2029 – Martin County submits second $69.2M federal grant request for station. Total project cost $87M, county responsible for $15M plus land. Stuart Mayor prefers replacing 100-year-old St. Lucie River Railroad bridge. Brightline delays
🚗 Florida Driving school reports confusion after DMV language change – Owner says system shut down during tests, received conflicting instructions from state agencies. DMV confusion
📊 Florida ranks 30th healthiest state – Florida midpack for health outcomes, behaviors, clinical care. Health rankings
💵 Federal government may not reimburse Florida's $500M spending – Court filing says "problems" with state's FEMA grant application. Florida hasn't received any of approved $608M grant. FEMA reimbursement
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