Good Morning, Sunland
It’s Wednesday! and St. Lucie County Schools yesterday went around congratulating all the people for their Night of the Stars event. I just want to give a shout out to all the St. Lucie County teachers who received some recognition yesterday. Check out the post here. Thank you for all you do!
🛒 Caught my eye: Bravo Supermarkets is coming to Fort Pierce! Expected to open this month at 2743 Peters Road off I-95. They'll have fresh produce, quality meats, hot deli foods, and more. Big news for Fort Pierce!
💜 People Pass Shoutout: Thank you to everyone supporting the newsletter! If you want to help keep this going, support here.
Alright, let's jump right in!
⛅ Weather Update: Partly cloudy.
☀️ Day: High of 78°F | Partly cloudy. Winds WNW at 5-10 mph. 8% chance of rain.
🌙 Night: Low of 51°F | A few passing clouds. Winds at 5-10 mph. 8% chance of rain.
🌅 Sunrise: 7:00 AM | 🌇 Sunset: 5:27 PM
🌙 Moonrise: 11:38 PM | 🌚 Moonset: 11:53 AM
🎶 Sounds like: "Never Too Much" — Luther Vandross
Ja’Min Devon
🚔 Main Squeeze: Port St. Lucie Finally Delivers on 20-Year Park Promise
Port St. Lucie broke ground yesterday on what will become the city's largest park: a 195-acre recreational complex that's apparently been in the works for two decades.
Where Have You Been: The city has lacked a skate park for 15 years, and according to the city, residents have consistently asked for more green space and family-friendly amenities.
What's happening: Torino Regional Park, located at 5601 North Torino Parkway, is getting built with a "Play Forest" concept designed around nature-themed features.
What's coming:
Interactive splash pad with age-appropriate elements
All-wheels skate park shaped by community input
Forest-themed playground pods (think: owl slides and bear structures)
Walking and biking trails
Open green spaces for events
The Waiting: Phase one construction kicks off now, with completion expected by June 2027.
What they're saying: "Torino Regional Park has been a promise to our community for over 20 years, and now we're finally able to deliver on that promise," Mayor Shannon Martin said at the ceremony.
The bottom line: The park should be finished by June 2027, bringing Port St. Lucie families their first skate park in 15 years, plus splash pads, pickleball courts, and 195 acres of green space to actually use.
👔 Press Round: Leadership, Paychecks & Playoffs
🏗️ Vero Beach Hashing Out Three Corners Deal
Vero Beach's negotiating team met with financial consultants and legal counsel to outline terms for the Three Corners development contract, confirming the city will offer a 99-year lease to developers Clearpath Services and Madison Marquette. City officials expect to begin formal negotiations next month after receiving a $50,000 deposit from the developer, with no significant construction expected before 2027.
👉 Read more (Vero News)
💰 Closed Fort Pierce School Got $20K After Shutdown
The Early Learning Coalition of St. Lucie County paid Creative Learning Lab Academy about $20,000 for preschool services after the Fort Pierce private school closed in October, bringing total payments to around $180,000 in less than a year. Teachers say they're still missing paychecks from both the school and preschool, but coalition officials say their contract requires payments go directly to the school, not individual employees.
👉 Read more (WPTV)
👔 Stuart Names Collins Mayor, Reed Vice Mayor
Stuart City Commission voted unanimously to appoint Christopher Collins as mayor and Sean Reed as vice mayor, though Commissioner Campbell Rich expressed concerns about Reed's experience given speculation that Collins may run for Martin County Commission and resign. Reed, who is in his second year as commissioner, defended his qualifications and said the public showed faith in his abilities when they elected him.
👉 Read more (WPTV)
🎉 The Weekender: 8 Events to Check Out This Weekend!
Saturday, Dec 13
🎻 Concerts by Candlelight - Port St Lucie – Intimate and unique musical experience set in beautiful and historic venues lit by the gentle glow of candles in Port St. Lucie. | 7–8 PM | Ticketed | Details
⛵ St. Lucie Boat Parade in Fort Pierce – "Jingle All the Waves!" 35th annual celebration presented by Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast and Fort Pierce Yacht Club. Parade launches at Marina Square, Fort Pierce. | 6–8 PM | Free | Details
🎄 Christmas Bazaar at Tradition Square – Over 80 local vendors with handmade gifts, crafts, treats, treasures. Live music, food trucks, famous Christmas Photo Booth at 10807 SW Tradition Sq, Port St Lucie. | 1–7 PM | Free admission & parking | Details
🎅 Holidays At The Ranch – Photos with Santa, holiday photo vignettes, gift vendors, Christmas cow pin, hay rides, face painting, food trucks, festive drinks, holiday music, Christmas elves, snow party at Rockin' H Ranch, 4181 SW Boatramp Avenue, Palm City. Runs Dec 13–14. | Sat 4–8 PM, Sun 2–6 PM | $20 online, $25 door | Details
🍴 Treasure Coast Holiday Food Fest & Craft Fair – "Whiskers in Wonderland" supporting Humane Society of St. Lucie County. All menu items $5 or less! Holiday craft fair marketplace, kid zone, bounce houses, train ride, kids crafting, photo ops, The Grinch, Santa & Mrs. Claus, movie projector at Clover Park, Mets Stadium, Port St. Lucie. | 12–9 PM | Check pricing | Details
Want more events? Go here
💧 The Last Drop: Toys and Bridge Closures
🎁 St. Lucie toy drive ends Dec. 15 – Salvation Army and Marine Toys for Tots accepting donations at Fenn Center or any county library. Toy drive
📋 Fort Pierce city manager's December report released – Monthly overview includes department updates, projects, and upcoming events. Manager's report
🌉 North Causeway Bridge closed nightly through Dec. 9 – SR A1A bridge shut 9pm-5am Dec. 1-3 and Dec. 7-9 for construction, contingency nights Dec. 4, 10-11, 14-18. Bridge work
📸 This is Sunland: Photo Finish!
See you tomorrow!
With Love, Ja’Min
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