Good Morning, Sunland
It's Monday! And Happy New Year to everybody! Super excited to go into the new year and again can't thank you enough.. Also, I want to tell you about Jeff. Jeff, if you're reading this, thank you again…
I ran into Jeff over at the trail past the new WAWA on Becker Road (which was beautiful, by the way). Having conversations in person with people who consume the newsletter, who live in the county, who want more and want better always gives me so much insight. I'm so grateful. More on this story at the bottom of the newsletter, but for now...
👁️ This caught my eye: H3N2 flu cases are rising in Florida. Indian River, St. Lucie, and Palm Beach County all seeing increases.
🎥 Civic Education: 3 ways to get involved in local government. Show up to meetings, contact your officials, and stay informed (if your reading this, you did 3 already LOL).
⛅ Weather Update: Sunshine and clouds mixed.
☀️ Day: High of 78°F | Sunshine and clouds mixed. 20% chance of rain.
🌙 Night: Low of 58°F | A few clouds. 16% chance of rain.
🌅 Sunrise: 7:12 AM | 🌇 Sunset: 5:41 PM (I’m over due for later sunsets…)
🌙 Moonrise: 8:21 PM | 🌚 Moonset: 9:11 AM
🎶 Sounds like: "Get Up, Stand Up" — Bob Marley & The Wailers
Ja’Min Devon
📕 Sponsored: I got the guide, and so should you!
You can never plan too much. That’s why Yates Funeral Home is giving Sunland readers a free guide to help you make more thoughtful decisions for yourself or for loved ones. No pressure. Just helpful info.
📚 Main Squeeze: Teachers Return to Brand
New Westwood Today
Fort Pierce Westwood Academy teachers (and all St. Lucie County teachers) are back at work today preparing classrooms in the $100 million school that opens to students tomorrow.
It Was a Good Day: Families got their first look at the new campus January 3rd. Freshmen and sophomores toured from 10AM to 11:30AM, juniors and seniors from 12PM to 1:30PM. Parents met in the auditorium, got teacher lists with room numbers and maps. Classrooms weren't open, just navigation prep.
From the Ground Up: Mass grading started September 2023. Foundations went in by October 2024. The structure went up August 2024 through January 2025. Interior rough-in and finishes wrapped December 2024 through July 2025. Athletic fields were built December 2023 through July 2024. Landscaping finished November 2024 through November 2025.
Same Script, Different Cast: The new Westwood is identical to Legacy High School that opened in Tradition in August 2025. Same layout, same facilities, only difference is paint colors and which career and technical classrooms are inside.
The superintendent said he positioned it right on Angle Road so the community could see the investment driving by.
Money, Power & Respect: The school board employs over 5,000 people according to the Economic Development Council, making it St. Lucie County's largest employer. Beyond the economic impact, I see school board decisions as a window into how bigger state and national issues play out locally. What happens in board meetings affects thousands of families.
🏠 Press Round: Fairs, Fines & Elections
🍗 Fellsmere Frog Leg Festival Returns for 35th Year
The City of Fellsmere hosts its 35th annual Frog Leg Festival from January 15-18 at the Old School Complex, featuring Southern specialties like fried frog legs and alligator tail alongside carnival rides and local entertainment. The four-day event serves as a fundraiser for the city's recreation department, supporting youth programs and community needs through the efforts of local volunteers.
👉 Read more (Sebastian Daily)
🗳️ Fort Pierce Special Election Early Voting Underway
Fort Pierce District 2 voters can cast early ballots through January 10 ahead of the January 13 special election to fill the seat left vacant after former Commissioner James Taylor resigned following child exploitation charges. Former County Commissioner Chris Dzadovsky and Becton Dickinson operations director Jaimebeth Galinis are competing for the position, with early voting running daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Renaissance Business Park.
👉 Read more (Hometown News)
⚖️ Stuart Magistrate Resigns After Waiving Fines
Stuart Code Enforcement Magistrate Paul Nicoletti resigned after waiving three months of fines for an Ila Street property owner operating an unpermitted vacation rental. The decision came amid conflict over the homeowner's noncompliance with code requirements.
👉 Read more (SAVE Martin County)
🎉 Weekdayer: January 5-9
These are mostly recurring events I wanted to shout out at the
top of the year for you to always look out for.
Monday, Jan 5
🧘 Sunset Yoga at the Gardens – Registration required by 4 PM at the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens, Port St. Lucie. | 5–6 PM | Details
Tuesday, Jan 6
🏃 Midnight Panthers Running Club – Jazz moves, community grooves. Weekly run club meeting in Tradition, Port St. Lucie. | Details
Wednesday, Jan 7
🌾 Wednesday's Farmers Market – Artisanal treasures, handmade crafts, specialty products, baked goods, and local vendors at 101 Melody Ln, Fort Pierce. | 10 AM–7 PM | Details
Thursday, Jan 8
🎭 Lord of the Rings Theme Trivia Night – Journey through Middle Earth with Brainstorm Trivia at Hop Life Brewing Company, Port St. Lucie. | 7 PM | Details
🎤 Trivia Night – Team trivia testing knowledge on pop culture, history, science and more at Sailfish Brewing Company, 130 N 2nd St, Fort Pierce. | 7 PM | Details
🎸 Open Mic Night – Acoustic rock and variety performers at Priscilla's Oasis on Orange, Fort Pierce. | 7 PM | $5 | Details
Friday, Jan 9
🛍️ Olive Branch Outdoor Market – Shop local vendors, sip, support community connection and wellness at Jensen Beach Campus, 3750 NE Indian River Dr, Jensen Beach. | Details
If you have an event, send it to me here
💧 The Last Drop: Meetings, Expos, and Swaps
🏛️ Fort Pierce selects Mayor Pro Tem Monday – Commission chooses backup mayor at first 2026 meeting. 5:05pm City Hall. FP meeting
🏘️ PSL Planning & Zoning reviews Rosser Residential Tuesday – Board considers rezoning 17.24 acres from open space to residential near I-95, west of SW Rosser Blvd. 6pm City Hall. P&Z agenda
🏢 PSL Business Expo Jan. 15 – Free small business workshop 9am-noon at PSL Community Center (2195 SE Airoso Blvd). Nearly two dozen agencies attending. Business Expo
🛍️ County swap meet Saturday – Community swap meet 7am-2pm at John B. Park Sports Complex (1302 Virginia Ave). Free admission, $20 pre-register booth or $30 day-of. Call 772-462-2110.
🐠 Free aquarium day Tuesday – St. Lucie County Aquarium offers free admission first Tuesday of every month. Explore Smithsonian Marine Ecosystems Exhibit and Indian River Lagoon displays. Aquarium
📸 This is Sunland: ✌️ Jeff Story!
Speaking with Jeff made me realize, it's my job to condense the conversation between everything local and the people that live here. He mentioned how the mayor would just come up to him back home in Jersey to exchange pleasantries, ask about family, and bridge the gap for what normally may seem like a mile stretch. My job is to do that for all of us here, and you have my word I will!
See you tomorrow!
With Love, Ja'Min
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