Good Morning, Sunland
It's Tuesday! and I went to the store the other day, after Thanksgiving. While I was navigating some of the weekend shoppers, I got to the register and paid with some cash I had on me. The cashier was scrambling with the change, rounding up and down, trying to figure out what to give me back.
Turns out, America is running out of pennies far faster than expected. Retailers are scrambling with rounding rules and cash register math headaches. Ending penny production was supposed to simplify cash payments. Instead, it's colliding with the holiday rush.
Long story short, I ended up with a nickel instead of three pennies. So I guess I made out okay in the end. Alright…
💜 a2n1n5 bought 5 coffees and says: "Thanks for the updates and events happening in the area. Love being in the know." Thank you so much! Appreciate the support. If you want to join People Pass, support here.
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🚦 The Main Squeeze: 📊 Data Center Update: Not on This Week's Agenda (But Impact Fees Are)
What's happening: A video has been circulating on social media about the proposed Sentinel Grove data center, leading some to believe it's back on the agenda. It's not. County officials confirmed the data center will NOT be discussed at today's (December 2nd) county commission meeting.
The backstory: St. Lucie County Planning & Zoning voted 4-2 to deny the massive 1,218-acre Sentinel Grove data center west of Fort Pierce in November. The $13.2 billion project would have been the largest private investment in county history.
Why it was denied: Traffic concerns on rural roads, massive water needs without proper permits, noise from 24/7 cooling operations, and concerns it didn't fit the surrounding agricultural area with century-old cattle ranches.
What's actually on today's agenda: The county commission is meeting at 6 PM to vote on a Multi-Modal Road Impact Fee Ordinance, which would significantly change how developers pay for road infrastructure. This is also an important decision worth paying attention to.
To be clear: The data center issue rightfully deserves a lot of attention and care. This is just an FYI that it's not being voted on today, but there are other significant items on the agenda.
Can residents still speak about the data center? Yes. Even though it's not on the agenda, residents can still voice their support or opposition during public comment at today's meeting at 6 PM in the Commission Chambers.
What's next for the data center: The Planning & Zoning denial recommendation will eventually go to the County Commission for a final vote at a future meeting (date TBD). When that date is set, I'll make sure to notify you through the newsletter and social media, and we'll continue to discuss what this might mean for St. Lucie County.
Your take: Should the county approve or deny the data center? Drop your thoughts here.
🥳 What’s Happening: 7 Out of Town Events
Thursday, Dec 4
🛍️ The Stuart Stroll – Sip, sample light bites, and stroll Historic Downtown Stuart to discover shops and restaurants. Enter to win $100 shopping sprees! Free shuttle service 4–10 PM. Registration begins 4:30 PM at Osceola Street plaza. | 4:30–8:30 PM | $15 advance, $20 day of | Details
Friday, Dec 5
🎄 Town of Jupiter Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony – Live performances from local schools, countdown to tree lighting, music, food vendors, giveaway fun at Town Green, Jupiter Municipal Campus, 210 Military Trail. Family-friendly, leave pets at home. | 5–6:30 PM | Free | Details
Saturday, Dec 6
🎄 Buckler's 35th Annual Holiday Craft Fair – Indoor event at South Florida Fairgrounds West Expo with cookies, treats, and holiday crafts. One paid admission good both days with hand stamp. Runs Dec 6–7. | Sat 10 AM–5 PM, Sun 10 AM–4 PM | $7, kids 12 & under free | Details
⛵ Historic Downtown Stuart Boat Parade Watch Party – FREE family event with live music by Farm Funk, DIY photos with Santa, local vendors, kids activities at Riverwalk Stage Plaza by the Christmas tree. | 6–9 PM | Free (donations appreciated) | Details
Sunday, Dec 7
🎄 Festival of Lights at Blue Ridge Farms – Decorated trees, live music, food trucks, crafters & vendors, kids games at 17190 Jupiter Farms Road, Jupiter. | Check time (6 hrs) | Check pricing | Details
🎵 Annual Holiday Christmas Concert – Treasure Coast Flute Choir led by Al and Lindsey Hager at The Barn Theatre, 2400 SE Ocean Blvd, Stuart. | Check time | $5 non-members, free for MartinArts members | Details
🎄 Christmas Vendor Event – Kickoff December supporting VB Moms Non-Profit with shopping from local vendors at VBN Beach Shop & Gifts, 2145 Indian River Blvd, Suite C, Vero Beach. | Check time (4 hrs) | Check pricing | Details
🧾 Last Drop: Headlines for the Road!
🌧️ 63% of Florida now in drought conditions – Extreme drought covers 14.7% of state including parts of Martin County, with 9 million residents affected. October was 60th driest on record with 42.19 inches precipitation January through October. Drought monitor
📱 Florida social media law back in effect – Appeals court lifts injunction on HB 3 banning accounts for kids under 14, requiring parental consent for ages 14-15. Instagram still allowing teen accounts despite law, enforcement unclear. Social media restrictions
🗳️ Why Treasure Coast elections are "at-large" – All local races except Fort Pierce allow voters countywide to vote in all district races. Fort Pierce required closed districts by 1993 court order after Black residents' Voting Rights Act lawsuit. Interesting history lesson Election analysis
🚂 Christmas Train arrives Fort Pierce Saturday – Florida East Coast Railway toy train stops at Orange Avenue crossing 12:15pm December 6th. Orange Avenue closed noon to 1pm from North 2nd Street to US 1 for Toys for Tots collection. Train schedule
🏠 St. Lucie home prices drop to $390k in October – Median falls from $400k while Martin County jumps to $600k (from $570k) and Indian River rises to $379,900. Market trending toward sellers with 5-5.4 months inventory across region. Real estate data
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