🌅📚 Library Upgrade + $70M Debate

Good Morning, Sunland!

It’s Monday! The Westwood Class of '89 had a blast at their 35th Annual Gala, and I was lucky to bring the Sunland Photobooth for some extra fun. They didn’t really need my help, though—check out some of the moments here!

Speaking of good times, if you have an event coming up around town and want me to bring the photobooth, just let me know. No charge, No catch. I’m just here to spread the word about Sunland News. Alright...

🐇 Random Rabbit Number: Last night’s rabbit hole? Nonprofits. Did you know the Treasure Coast Food Bank pulled in $38 million last year? Me neither. Wild.

🫡 Salute: Scouting a new writing spot, I found a gem. Tefi’s Cafe.
☕ Order: Iced coffee with almond milk… Boring but Good.

👀 Caught My Eye: It’s a hot weekend! Friday Fest on Friday, plus two music festivals: one Reggae, one R&B.

A Look Ahead In 5 Seconds 📬

Perkins Restaurant Up for Grabs! 🍽️
$70M School Contract Decision🏫
Library Upgrade📚⚠️

Ja’Min Brown
Writer, Filmmaker, and Publisher

Sunland Trivia 🕹️

Weather TL;DR: "Melodies From Heaven" by Kirk Franklin ☁️💧Overcast, Mostly Moody

🌞 Day: High of 82°F, overcast, winds ENE at 10-20 mph, 3% chance of rain
🌜 Night: Low of 72°F, cloudy with off-and-on rain showers after midnight, winds ENE at 5-10 mph, 40% chance of rain

🌡️ Check Full Weather Report Here 
🚗 Check The Traffic Before You Leave

COLLEGE FAIR IS COMING! 🎓

For SLPS students grades 9-12: the 2024-2025 College Fair is tomorrow, October 29, from 6-8 PM at the District Office on Brandywine Lane. 30+ colleges and universities will be there—plus plenty of info on scholarships and financial aid. Parents, be mindful of designated parking times; they’re serious about that!

LIBRARY UPGRADE ALERT 📚⚠️

On Monday, October 28, starting at 10 AM, St. Lucie County libraries are undergoing a system upgrade. Expect 1-3 hours of downtime (no account access, no catalog browsing). But you can still check out materials IRL.

$70M School Contract Decision: Close Call, Controversy, and Calls for Change

A big-money school construction contract in St. Lucie County has stirred up more than just dust. The decision, delayed due to a local contractor’s objections, has spotlighted transparency and fairness in the bidding process.

The Catch Up:

St. Lucie County School Board recently awarded the $70 million Western Grove K-8 contract to Wharton-Smith, Inc., but it wasn’t without drama. Paul Jacquin & Sons, Inc., a local contractor, felt like they were playing a game with a strict “no talking” rule. The “cone of silence” policy, meant to block communication during bidding, kept them from clarifying their proposal. With the final score difference being less than 0.5%—like losing a race by a photo finish—every detail counted. Jacquin wasn’t happy, arguing he should’ve had the chance to explain his side.

Why This Matters:

This isn’t just about who gets to build a school—it’s about whether local contractors have a fair shot. Jacquin pointed out that Wharton-Smith’s claim to be “local” is questionable, with an office listed in Martin County that some say feels more like a P.O. box. Meanwhile, Board members were left questioning whether the rules for evaluating bids are truly transparent. A decision this close, with millions on the line, has led to deeper discussions about how future bids should be handled.

What Happens Next:

The Board ultimately voted to give Wharton-Smith the contract, but they’re already talking about changing the game’s rules. Revisiting the “cone of silence” policy is on the table to allow more communication during bidding. Jacquin, meanwhile, is pushing for clearer processes, setting the stage for potential policy shifts in future projects.

New Restaurant Stoney’s

Stoney’s BBQ in Fort Pierce just announced they’re gearing up to reopen soon! While the doors are still closed for now, it won’t be long before the smoke’s back. In the meantime, check out this great interview we did with Stoney a couple of months ago, where he first revealed the new location.

Perkins Restaurant Up for Grabs! 🍽️

In Really Random News Perkins in Port St. Lucie is up for grabs! Yep, the whole thing—for just $70K. It pulled in $1.4 million in sales last year, so if you’re craving a shot at breakfast fame, this might be it. 180+ seats, prime US1 spot, and plenty of parking. Read More!

Real Estate Check-In 🏠

September saw more homes hit the market in St. Lucie County, but fewer actually sold—420, down from 538 in August. Median sale price dipped slightly to $402,450 (from $405K). Read more here.

Friday’s Poll Results: 

Are you dressing up for Halloween? 🎃 (2,312 subscribers)

(45%) Yes (Fill us in... What you going with?) 👍
(40%) No, I'm staying home 🚫
(15%) I'm just here for the candy 🍬 

Some Answers: “I’m pregnant so I’m going as a pumpkin lol ” | “I'm going to be a gypsy fortune teller for the downtown 2nd Street Trick or Treat event.” | “Ash Ketchum, wife is Misty, son is Pikachu”

This is Sunland 📸

It was surreal not having my uncle at his class reunion, but it felt good to honor him by running the Sunland Photobooth. I had an amazing time at Westwood's '89 Gala! Honestly, I couldn’t pick a favorite photo… so here are 3 of the best.

With love,
Ja’Min

Things To Do After Work This Week

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

If you have an event, send it to me here

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🌴 All tip jar proceeds for October will be donated to Reviving Anointed Word (RAW) Ministries