🌅 🚛 Trash Train

Good Morning, Sunland

It’s Wednesday! And I’ve been thinking about adopting…. a street. Both Port St. Lucie and Fort Pierce offer “Keep [City] Beautiful” programs that let residents or groups take responsibility for cleaning and maintaining specific stretches of road.

I think it could be a great way to give back and maybe even connect with some of y’all who read this newsletter. Would you come out for a Sunland News cleanup day? Let me know here… Alright.

🚧 Road Closure: Delaware Ave & S. 13th Street
From June 2 to June 6, FPUA will be replacing a water main, which means the intersection of Delaware Ave and S. 13th St will be temporarily closed. Detours will be clearly marked. Be safe out there and give yourself a little extra time if this is on your usual route. 👉 Details & Map

🌡️ Weather Update: A high heat day with a soft, moonlit breeze at night

☀️ Day: High of 94°F | ☀️ Clear skies and intense sunshine
🌙 Night: Low of 73°F | 🌤️ A few passing clouds
🌅 Sunrise: 6:29 AM | 🌇 Sunset: 8:06 PM
🌘 Moonrise at 2:32 AM | 🌘 Moonset at 2:23 PM
🎵 Sounds like: “When You Were Mine” by Prince 💔🌙

🧱 Main Squeeze
Trash Train Transfers May Be Moving Soon

Since last fall, thousands of tons of household trash have been arriving daily in Fort Pierce by train, sparking months of complaints from nearby residents about smells, noise, and wildlife near the rail yard. But now, city officials say the problem could be resolved sooner than expected.

📍 The Backstory: After a fire damaged Miami-Dade County’s waste-to-energy incinerator in early 2023, the county contracted with Waste Management to dispose of more than 2,500 tons of trash per day. Most of that trash has been traveling nearly 150 miles by train to the Florida East Coast (FEC) rail yard in Fort Pierce, before being trucked to a landfill in Okeechobee.

What started as a temporary solution has caused frustrations for local residents, especially those living near the rail yard.

🛠️ What’s Changing: At a May 19 City Commission meeting, Commissioner Michael Broderick said a plan is now in motion to move the trash transfers out of Fort Pierce and further west, closer to the county landfill. A timeline hasn’t been finalized. The goal is to complete the move in the next 30 days.

📦 Why This Matters: This change could improve quality of life for residents near the rail yard and reduce the volume of heavy truck traffic moving through Fort Pierce neighborhoods.

🚧 What Comes Next: No formal site has been announced yet, but city officials expect more information soon. A new facility is still planned for western St. Lucie County. A temporary shift in operations may come even sooner.

🗣️ Have you noticed changes near the rail yard? Let me know your thoughts here

🍊 Press Round
Skateparks, Growth Fights, and Murals in the Making

🚧 Major Road Project Sparks Growth Debate

Indian River County approved a two-mile expansion of the Urban Service Boundary as part of the Oslo Corridor project, raising concerns over rural preservation. A one-year rezoning moratorium was added to ease fears.

👉 Read More

🎨 Want a Mural on Your Building?

Fort Pierce’s FPRA Mural Program is now accepting applications from property owners in Downtown and the Peacock Arts District. The city will fund the murals, all you need is the wall.

👉 Apply Here

🛹 First-Ever Skatepark Planned for Stuart

New concept designs reveal what could be Martin County’s best skatepark yet. Thanks to $500K in state funding, Stuart’s Guy Davis Park will soon house a Spohn Ranch-designed skatepark built for all skill levels.

👉 See the Designs

Join the Mission and support Sunland News and help fuel the goal of delivering smarter, faster very, very local news that keeps you informed on what’s unfolding here.

💡 Why it matters: Your support allows me to keep St. Lucie County informed and engaged through the daily Sunland News newsletter—and sets the stage for tackling bigger, in-depth reporting projects in the near future.

🎁 What’s in it for you: Exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes insights, and other perks as we grow (bookstore and otherwise) this community together.

👉 Check it out here!

🎉 Some Weekend Events: Your Fri-Sat-Sun Plans

• 🌿 Mangrove Forest Jungle Tour – Explore Fort Pierce’s scenic mangroves by kayak. Fun, educational, and family-friendly. | Friday, May 23 | 3:30 PM–6:30 PM | Details

• ⚾ PBTF Starry Night at the Ballpark – A special night with the Mets supporting brain tumor awareness. Lantern lighting ceremony included. | Saturday, May 24 | 6:10 PM | Free | Details

• 🍷 Just Beachy Paint Party – Paint on stemless wine or pilsner glasses at Tail-Gators in St. Lucie West. | Friday, May 23 | 6 PM–8 PM | $35 | Details

• 🌾 PSL Green Market – Local produce, vendors, and live music at MIDFLORIDA Event Center. | Sunday, May 25 | 10 AM–2 PM | Free | Details

• 📚 Literary Market – Local authors and vendors gather for a bookish day of shopping and creativity. | Sunday, May 25 | 10 AM–3 PM | Free | Details

If you have an event, send it to me here
Want more events? Go here

💧 The Last Drop
Big Bear Hunt, Big Backlash

1. 🐻 Bear Hunt Backlash Builds Florida officials are considering a black bear hunting season for the first time in nearly a decade. The proposal faces fierce pushback, with 75% of public comments opposed. A final vote is expected in August. 👉 Read More

2. 🚨 City Discusses Next Steps

   Fort Pierce commissioners accepted Police Chief Diane Hobley-Burney’s resignation in a 3–2 vote during Monday’s emergency meeting. Deputy Chief Robert Ridle will serve as acting chief while the city launches a formal search.

   👉 Get the Full Story

3. 🏗️ Fort Pierce Shares New Revitalization Report

   The city has released its May 2025 Fort Pierce Redevelopment Agency update, highlighting current grants, neighborhood projects, and future development plans.

   👉 Check It Out

📸 This is Sunland: ✌️ Before I go

See you tomorrow!
With Love, Ja’Min

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