🌅🏛️ Little Jim’s Fate & Spring Training Traffic

Good Morning, Sunland

It’s Wednesday! Consider this your weekly reminder to share the newsletter with just one friend. Yesterday, I was talking to my friend Brandon (great musician, by the way), and if he lived here, he’s exactly the kind of person I’d send this to. He was saying he wished he had a quick way to know what’s going on—because he knows local matters, he’s just not sure where to start. That’s really the point of this—a simple way to stay connected and maybe even try an event once or twice a month.

Alright… let’s jump straight in!

🏀 Shoutout to LPA: A hard-fought battle last night, falling just short 57-55 against King’s Academy in the regional semifinal. Tough way to end it, but what a season!

🌡️ Weather Update: A warm day with a cloudy night ahead

☀️ Day: High of 85°F | 🌤️ Partly cloudy skies, SSW winds at 10-20 mph.
🌙 Night: Low of 60°F | ☁️ Overcast with W winds at 5-10 mph.
🌅 Sunrise: 6:54 AM | 🌇 Sunset: 6:16 PM
🎵 Sounds like: “Optimistic” by Sounds of Blackness ✨

💡 Poll Question: How often do you try a new local event or spot?

🍋 The Main Squeeze: Little Jim Update!

The Catch Up: Fort Pierce commissioners will vote Tuesday on a month-to-month lease for Little Jim Bait & Tackle, keeping it open while they restart the bidding process for the historic waterfront spot. But many in the community fear the city is prioritizing profit over people.

What’s happening:

• Little Jim’s lease expires Feb. 28, and by law, the city must open the lease to a competitive bidding process for long-term agreements.

• The city says it values Little Jim’s history but must ensure a fair and transparent process for all interested parties.

• Some locals, however, believe the city is setting the stage to hand the property to the highest bidder, rather than prioritizing what the community wants.

What people are saying: Critics argue that city leaders aren’t listening to locals, with some calling it a sellout to corporate greed at the expense of a beloved landmark.

• "You don’t care about the people’s opinions, just who can get you the most money. You should cater to the people who actually live here—not the snowbirds."

• "This is about more than money—elected officials should act in the best interest of the city and its people."

• "The community is literally begging you not to do this. Don’t throw an 80-year-old historic site to the wolves."

What’s next: If approved, the month-to-month lease will allow Little Jim to stay open while bids are reviewed. But the city’s stance is clear: a long-term deal will go to the best proposal—not necessarily the most lucrative one.

💭 Should Little Jim stay as it is, or should the city take the highest bid? Let me know what you think here!

🍊 The Press Round: No Jo… Ann

🧵 Jensen Beach Joann Closing as Chain Shutters 500+ Stores

Joann Fabrics is closing over 500 stores nationwide, including its Jensen Beach location, as part of a bankruptcy restructuring. The company cites the need to "right-size its store footprint" amid financial struggles.

👉 Read more

⚾ New York Mets Spring Training Brings Traffic Plans to PSL

As Mets fans flood Clover Park for Juan Soto’s debut, Port St. Lucie Police will use drones and dedicated traffic units to manage congestion. Drivers should expect delays and plan ahead, especially on game days starting Feb. 22.

👉 Read more

🏗️ Fort Pierce Considered for $38M Manufacturing Investment

An unnamed company, known as Project Knight Rider, is eyeing Fort Pierce for a $38.15 million facility that could create 294 jobs with an average salary of $53,085. City commissioners will discuss potential tax incentives on Tuesday to attract the business.

👉 Read more

🖤 Black History Refill: Florida’s First Black Physician (Sponsored by Anley Cardiovascular)

Before Florida had bustling hospitals and world-class research institutions, there was Dr. Alexander Darnes—a man who broke barriers in medicine. Born enslaved in St. Augustine, Darnes went on to become Florida’s first Black physician, serving communities that had long been denied proper healthcare.

💡 Why It Matters: At a time when opportunities for Black doctors were nearly nonexistent, Darnes not only earned his medical degree from Howard University but returned to Florida to provide essential care—particularly for Black communities in Jacksonville. His legacy laid the foundation for future generations of Black medical professionals.

🏥 Anley Cardiovascular is proud to continue this legacy of accessible, expert heart care in Fort Pierce.

📌 One Skill Everyone Should Know: CPR. In a cardiac emergency, every second counts. Learn how cardiovascular interventions can save lives—watch this quick Q&A with Dr. Ellis Christian.

👉 Check it out here: @anleycardio

🎉 Weekend Events: Get Out This Weekend!

Friday, February 21

• 🎭 Business & Industry Awards at MIDFLORIDA Event Center | Celebrate local businesses and industry leaders with awards, dinner, and cocktails. | 5 PM | Get Tickets

• 🎬 Friday Drive-In Movie Nights | La La Land at Treasure Coast Park and Watch. A special outdoor screening of La La Land supporting the Lincoln Park Academy Film Club. | 7 PM | 🎟️ Grab your tickets

Saturday, February 22

• 🎨 The 'Earth' Without 'Art' Is Just 'Eh' Art & Craft Show at The Grove Social Hall | Local artists showcase their creativity in this two-day art show. | 10 AM - 4 PM | Explore the Artists

• 🌿 NatureFest 2025 at the Manatee Center. Celebrate Florida’s wildlife with interactive exhibits, nature talks, and family-friendly activities. | 10 AM – 2 PM | 🌎 Explore more

• 🎬 Saturday Drive-In Movie Nights | Sonic The Hedgehog 2 at Treasure Coast Park and Watch. Family-friendly fun with an outdoor screening of Sonic The Hedgehog 2 and a milkshake special! | 7 PM | 🍿 Reserve your spot

Sunday, February 23

• 🎨 Paint & Socialize at Pierced Ciderworks. Join local artists for a guided painting session in a relaxed, social setting. | 2 PM – 5 PM | 🖌️ Sign up here

• 🍷 Wine Glass Painting Night at SusieDoos' Playhouse. Craft, sip, and customize your own wine glass while enjoying games and prizes. BYOB! | 6 PM – 9 PM | 🎟️ Reserve your spot

If you have an event, send it to me here

💧 The Last Drop: HOA Rise!

1. ✈️ Treasure Coast Plane Crashes
   31 crashes since 2018, with the latest in Fellsmere on Jan. 30. See the Data

2. 🛒 Aldi Shakes Up Winn-Dixie
   Aldi is keeping some Winn-Dixie stores but selling off the rest. Two Treasure Coast locations are still set to convert. More Details

3. 🏠 Rental Assistance in PSL
   Port St. Lucie reopens emergency rental aid—$400K available until Sept. 30 or until funds run out. Apply Here

4. 🏡 HOA Fees on the Rise
   40.5% of U.S. home listings had HOA fees in 2024, up from 39.2% in 2023. Read More

5. 🍷 South Beach Wine & Food Fest
   Feb. 22-25: A star-studded lineup of chefs, wine, and food events in Miami. Get Tickets

📸 This is Sunland: Photo for the Road!

📖 Thanks For Reading: How was today’s newsletter?

👋 Thanks for reading! If you found it useful, consider sharing it with a friend.

📱 Keep up with the Sunland News: Send comments & suggestions to [email protected] Follow us on, Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube

🙋‍♂️ Did someone forward you this? Subscribe Below!