Good Morning, Sunland
It’s Wednesday! Let’s jump right in!
Alright...
☀️ Weather Update: Sunshine and clouds mixed.
☀️ Day: High of 82°F | Sunshine and clouds mixed. 10% chance of rain.
🌙 Night: Low of 64°F | A few clouds. Winds WNW at 5-10 mph. 8% chance of rain.
🌅 Sunrise: 7:30 AM | 🌇 Sunset: 6:39 PM
🌙 Moonrise: 2:19 PM | 🌚 Moonset: 12:09 AM
🎶 Sounds like: "One Nation Under a Groove" — Funkadelic
Ja’Min Devon
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🏠 Main Squeeze: Fort Pierce's Next Police Chief:
One Person Makes The Call
Why it matters: WPTV obtained survey results through a public records request that sparked debate about who the next Fort Pierce police chief should be. One huge caveat to that reporting and those surveys is that the decision ultimately lies with one person, City Manager Richard Chess.
How it works: Under Fort Pierce's city charter, the city manager hires the police chief with the consent of the City Commission. Commissioners can make recommendations, but Chess makes the final decision.
The big picture: The city spent $25,000 on a search firm and conducted surveys of officers and the public about what they want in the next chief. The WPTV story revealed officers are split on the best path forward.
Some officers want an internal promotion, arguing it would boost morale
Others want an outside hire for a fresh perspective
Many officers cited low pay and poor equipment as bigger problems than who gets hired
The context: Chess just completed his 6-month review where commissioners praised him for being decisive and "not a pushover." Read about Chess's review here.
The timeline: The police chief position has been vacant since Chief Diane Hobley-Burnley resigned in May. Sources tell me the decision will be made before the November 4th District 2 City Commission election, meaning a four-person commission will weigh in, not the full five.
What's next: Chess will consider the survey results, commissioner recommendations, and public input as he evaluates candidates. He'll then make his selection and bring that choice to the commission for approval.
🍊 Press Round: Legacy, Service & Wreckage
🕊️ Civil Rights Pioneer Joe Idlette Dies at 92
Joe Idlette Jr., who sued to end school segregation in Indian River County in 1964 and later became its first Black School Board member, died October 21st from natural causes. Despite death threats from the KKK and White Citizens Council, Idlette persevered through a three-year legal battle that resulted in a 1967 court order forcing integration, though the county remains under that desegregation order today as one of 11 Florida districts still not in full compliance.
📋 St. Lucie County Seeks Board and Committee Volunteers
The county is recruiting residents for several advisory positions including the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, Contractors Licensing Board, Historical Commission, and Homeless Advisory Committee with applications due October 31st by 5 p.m. Requirements include St. Lucie residency and serving on no more than two county committees, with some positions requiring specific qualifications like law enforcement experience or lived homelessness experience.
🏭 Tornado-Destroyed Warehouse Owners Face Code Enforcement
Atlanta-based Stonemont Financial will appear before a Special Magistrate November 5th over the 1.1 million square-foot South Florida Logistics Center 95 that was destroyed by the October 2024 tornado outbreak ahead of Hurricane Milton. The company has received insurance approval to demolish the twisted wreckage along Orange Avenue and Kings Highway but faces potential $250 daily fines for delays, with plans to rebuild after demolition.
🎉 The Weekender: 5 Events to Check Out This Weekend!
Friday, Oct 31
🎃 Trunk or Treat at Causeway Cove Marina – Waterfront Halloween with best decorated trunk contest, kids zone, face painting, pumpkin patch, and marina views in Fort Pierce. | Check time | Free | Details
🎃 Trick or Treat on 2nd Street – Downtown Fort Pierce trick-or-treating with one-way walking traffic, candy stops, Creepy Carnival, and Fortune Teller. Pick up map at any location. | Check time (2 hrs) | Free | Details
🚗 Cars & Stars Trunk or Treat – Halloween car show with trunk or treat, kids zone, music, food trucks, and best decorated car contest ($200 first prize) at Clover Park. | Gates open 7 PM (3 hrs) | $20 car entry, $5 spectator parking | Details
🎃 Fall Fun Fest – Three-day event with carnival rides, live music by Absolute Queen, Street of Treats trick-or-treating, and SCAREZONE haunted experience at MIDFLORIDA Event Center. (Runs Oct 31–Nov 2) | 5–10 PM | Free admission, ride tickets sold onsite | Details
Saturday, Nov 1
🎃 4th Annual Fall Festival – Games, food trucks, vendors, contests, and family fun at Port St. Lucie American Little League. | Check time (4 hrs) | Free | Details
Want more events? Go here
📸 Last Drop: Data To Go!
📈 St. Lucie unemployment rises to 5.1% – County jobless rate climbs in August, highest since pandemic recovery period. Federal data shows uptick amid national economic uncertainty. Labor data
🏠 Treasure Coast home prices drop – Martin County median falls to $570k, Indian River to $379k in September. St. Lucie unchanged at $400k but sales volume increases as market shifts toward buyers. Real estate trends
💼 75,000 St. Lucie workers commute out of county – Census data shows 75,000 of county's 120,000 workers leave daily for jobs elsewhere. EDC launching workforce development programs to bring jobs closer to home. Workforce gap
📸 This is Sunland: Photo Finish!
See you tomorrow!
With Love, Ja’Min
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