Good Morning, Sunland
It’s Monday! Happy belated Father’s Day to all the dads, stepdads, uncles, pops, and father figures out there. Hope you got some rest, some love, or at the very least, a plate
This one’s a longer newsletter, so I’ll keep it short up top! Alright…
🔁 Quick shoutout to everyone supporting the newsletter, especially the folks who’ve joined the People Pass. Whether you read daily, share with friends, or chip in a little to keep this going, I appreciate you more than you know. 👉 Check it out here
📣 Job Posting: Alphonso Pizza & Pasta is hiring. They’re looking for a kitchen cook. No email listed, but if you’re interested (or know someone who might be), swing by or reach out to them on Facebook.
🌡️ Weather Update: Warm, wet, and a little wild
🌦️ Day: High of 88°F | Expect clouds and occasional showers throughout the day.
🌙 Night: Low of 74°F | A few passing clouds, otherwise clear and calm.
🌅 Sunrise: 6:26 AM | 🌇 Sunset: 8:17 PM
🌕 Moon Phase: Waning Gibbous | Moonset: 10:14 AM
🎸 Sounds like: “May This Be Love” by Jimi Hendrix
👀 What’s ahead in today’s civic playbook:
🧹 Fort Pierce’s big plan to clean up the city by 2030
🌊 An update on the Causeway Cove project
🎉 Plus, Juneteenth events and one big pizza goodbye
Ja’Min Devon Founder & Publisher
Sponsored: Before Port St. Lucie was even a city, the Yates family was here.
What began as a small funeral home and ambulance service in 1935 has grown into one of the most trusted names in the region. Still family-owned, still community-first.
We’re honored to welcome Yates Funeral Home to the Sunland News family.
Explore their legacy and services here.
♻️ The Main Squeeze: Fort Pierce wants to look better by 2030
TL;DR: Fort Pierce just laid out a major beautification plan aimed at cleaning up the city by 2030. From reworking trash rules to tackling illegal dumping, the city is trying to get ahead of what it calls “visual blight.” Some changes are already in motion, and more are on the way.
🧹 What’s happening: At a recent City Commission meeting, the Public Works Director presented a long-term plan to clean up Fort Pierce. The city is focusing on litter control, park maintenance, and public-facing improvements, with a goal of boosting both property values and community pride.
Some of the proposals include:
Rewriting solid waste rules to limit debris outside of bins
Requiring property owners to maintain areas between curb and property line
Stepping up palm frond removal and street sweeping downtown
Adding more staff and better equipment to sanitation crews
Creating a new service team to address high-visibility cleanup needs
Hiring dispatchers to respond faster to complaints
💬 My two cents: Since moving into the bookstore space at 25th and Avenue I, I’ve seen some of these challenges firsthand. Overflowing trash cans, not enough bins, and just general upkeep… It’s not always about blame, but about what’s in place and what’s not. We’ve had delays just getting something as simple as a bigger trash can. So while the goals in this plan sound good, the real test will be whether the fixes match the need.
🧤 What’s already happening: This isn’t new work. It’s work people have been doing for years. From “Keep Fort Pierce Beautiful” to Restoring the Village, groups have been organizing cleanups, planting trees, and trying to keep pride alive in the places that need it most.
So if we’re talking about beautifying Fort Pierce, we have to recognize what’s already been done and what still needs to be supported.
📣 I want to hear from you: What do you think needs the most attention right now? Sidewalks? Illegal dumping? Parks? 👉 Leave Your Thoughts!
🧵 Bonus links:
🍊 Press Round: Tracks, Stages, and Tough Calls
🏟 New Track, New Era at Vero High
A major win for the community: Vero Beach High’s long-awaited Jimmy Graves Sports Complex is almost ready. Students will finally have a home track, plus a new soccer and lacrosse field, accessible playground, and LED-lit bleachers. Phase one cost $7.6 million, thanks to a mix of public and private funding. The full vision is a student-run coffee shop, art gallery, amphitheater, and more.
🗣 Neighbors Say No in Tall Pines Annexation Fight
Fort Pierce’s Planning Board just shut down a proposal to annex Tall Pines Mobile Home Park into the city, following months of resident opposition. The owner wanted to rezone the land and build a long-term RV park, but neighbors showed up, spoke out, and made their case: it’s not a good fit. The board voted unanimously to recommend denial. The developer can still appeal, but for now, residents made their voices heard.
🏗️ Causeway Cove Controversy Continues
Commissioner Broderick called the proposed 1,100-unit project an “existential threat to the quality of life on South Beach.” The city is still sorting out whether the developer can count submerged land toward the project’s density under the Live Local Act. A special meeting may be called.
💬 “I like your style of newsletter, writing,
and get to the point approach.”
That’s from Linda. And if you do too, here’s your chance to support it. Join the Sunland Membership and help us keep doing news the way it should be: clear, local, and made for you.
🎉 This Week(Days) Around Town: Juneteenth Up and Down!
🧁 Juneteenth Pageant – Stuart
Join the royal crowning of Miss Junior and Miss Teen Juneteenth at this evening of excellence hosted by AACES.
📍 10th Street Community Center, 724 SE 10th Street, Stuart
🕓 4 PM–10 PM
🔗 Visit Website🎤 Juneteenth: A Celebration of Unity – Port St. Lucie
The City is hosting student dance, storytelling, panel discussions, and a keynote from Wintley A. Phipps.
📍 MIDFLORIDA Event Center, 9221 SE Event Center Place
🕓 4 PM–7:30 PM
🔗 Event Info🎪 2nd Annual Juneteenth Celebration – Gifford/Winter Beach
Hosted at Gifford Park, this daytime gathering brings community, vendors, and celebration.
📍 Victor Hart Sr. Community Enhancement Complex, 4715 43rd Ave, Gifford
🕙 10 AM–4 PM
🔗 Event Info🕊️ Let Freedom Ring – Tradition
The Boys & Girls Clubs team up with the City to host a big cultural night in Tradition Square.
📍 Tradition Square, Port St. Lucie
🕕 6 PM
🔗 Facebook Event🎉 Juneteenth Celebration – Fort Pierce
Treasure Coast Barbers United brings wellness, performances, a paint & sip, vendors, and more to River Walk.
📍 River Walk Center, 600 N Indian River Dr, Fort Pierce
🕘 12 PM–8 PM
🔗 Facebook Event
💧 The Last Drop: Say Goodbye to Champs!
🍕 End of an Era After 31 years, Champs Pizza in Fort Pierce is closing this Friday. Locals are lining up for one last pepperoni roll. Say goodbye here
🎭 IRSC Just Dropped Its New Season The McAlpin Performing Arts Center’s 2025–26 lineup is live, from Shakespeare mashups to holiday concerts. See what’s playing
A meme you can relate to here
🍗 Stoney’s Summer Deal Is Back * After a short break, Stoney’s reopens Tuesday with $10 chicken boxes all summer long. Check it out
* Sponsored by our friends at Stoney’s
📸 This is Sunland: Community Community Community
📸 My very creative friend Fran just snapped a photo of Mannou’s Kitchen, serving up authentic Haitian food straight from the truck. They just moved locations and were featured by Baldy Eats. Love to see it. Check them out here.
See you tomorrow!
With Love, Ja’Min
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