Good Morning, Sunland! It’s Friday!

This is Sunland News, a newsletter written by someone born, raised, and still living right here in The Lucie!

What a week it’s been. There are almost 2,000 people here now, which is still hard to wrap my head around. If I think about it too much, I might get too scared to send an email ever again!

If you haven’t checked out yesterday’s event list, please do (Just click me!). There’s so much going on that sometimes the email actually gets too big to send 😂 (seriously, always hit “view entire message” if that happens).

Oh, and lastly, for whatever it’s worth, my friend Marcus and I have decided that October might be the best month of the year. Sure, November and December are great for friends and family, but October has so much to offer. I’m feeling a sense of community I just don’t feel at other times of the year. If you agree, reply to this email with a 🎃 or 🍬🍬.

Alright, let’s get to it!

-Ja’Min Brown
Writer, Filmmaker, and Publisher | SLN

Sunland News in 5ish Seconds 📬

New Fall Events Map 🎃
Milton Math Is $500 Million in Damage 🌀
Buffalo Chophouse Faces Sudden Eviction 🥩

What percentage of the time do you eat at local restaurants vs chain restaurants?

Weather TL;DR: "Let's Groove" – Earth, Wind & Fire 🕺🌬️Find your best outerwear when you step out tonight.
I think it might be hoodie season 🌤️💨

🌞 Day: High of 80°F
🌜 Night: Low of 75°F
🌅 Sunrise: 7:23 AM
🌇 Sunset: 6:49 PM

🌬 Winds: ENE at 15 to 25 mph (keeping it breezy even at night: 10 to 20 mph)
💧 Humidity: 64% in the day, 73% after dark (that smooth humidity flow)

Stay fly! 🌬️🕶️

Check Full Weather Report Here

Fall Map Beta Test 🍂🗺️

I’m working on a Fall Map (click here to see) to highlight the best seasonal spots and activities around the county, but it’s still in the testing phase. I’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback before the final version goes live!

Check it out and let me know what you think.

♻️ Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day

🗓️ Date: Saturday, October 19, 2024 | 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
📍 Location: Public Works Complex, 450 SW Thornhill Drive

Port St. Lucie residents can safely dispose of hazardous/toxic waste like paint, batteries, chemicals, pesticides, cleaning products, pool chemicals, motor oil, light bulbs, electronics, liquids, non-liquids—basically everything but friends & family—for free during this event. IDs will be checked, so make sure it's above board.

[Learn More]

🚗Check the current traffic situation via Google.

🚤 TREASURE COAST AT LARGE

🌪️ Hurricane Milton Aftermath: $500 Million in Damage

St. Lucie County Administrator George Landry estimates nearly $500 million in damage from Hurricane Milton in unincorporated areas alone. The storm, along with tornadoes, damaged or destroyed over 600 homes and structures, with 200 homes requiring total rebuilds. The craziest part? This estimate doesn't even include Fort Pierce or Port St. Lucie, as they have to conduct their own assessments on the damage caused.

[Read More]

🍊 FLORIDA AT LARGE

🏥 New Hospital Coming to Port St. Lucie

Florida Coast Medical Center, a new 185,000-square-foot hospital, is set to open on September 20, 2025, on Becker Road, bringing more healthcare options to the area.
54 beds. 24-hour emergency care. Advanced cardiac services. Robotics. Neurosciences. Honestly, this sounds more like a resort. I think I’ll just write about it—I’m not looking to visit anytime soon!

Owned by Tenet Health and affiliated with the Palm Beach Health Network, this will be the fourth hospital in St. Lucie County.

[Learn More]

🌍 WORLD AT LARGE

🏪 Walgreens Closing 500 Stores Next Year

Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) announced it will close 500 stores by the end of next year, with a total of 1,200 store closures over the next three years. This move is part of a broader strategy to adjust to the growing pressure from online prescription delivery services and shifting retail trends (AKA Amazon).

[Learn More]

Buffalo Chophouse Faces Sudden Eviction

The owners of Buffalo Chophouse shared a deeply personal and heartbreaking story that I wanted to give space to. Buffalo Chophouse, located right on Gatlin Blvd near Aldi’s in Port St. Lucie, described on their website as having over 20 years of experience cooking in the finest restaurants, with a chef excited to present their vision to guests, received an unexpected and devastating notice that they must vacate their building within 15 days.

After 10 years of hard work and dedication, the owners were blindsided by the sudden sale of the building. Rather than try to interpret their situation, I encourage you to read their story directly in their own words, as it offers a raw and emotional account of the challenges they’re now facing.

You can read the full post [here] to understand more about what they’re going through and what might happen next.

📸 This is Sunland!

My friends are so talented! At the top, you’ve got J’Qwan giving his first sermon. J’Qwan has been a huge help to Sunland, and I always want to take the time to thank him for everything he does.

Just below, you’ll find my friend Kay’s Kreation Space Photobooth. She wrote about it in her newsletter, and I encourage you to check it out here. She captured what looks like an amazing cowboy-themed party down south!

This community is full of talented people, and I’m lucky enough to know most of them. Ha! See you Monday!

With love,
Ja’Min

💥 TCIFAM LEVITT Concert 
📅 Friday, October 18, 2024 | Evening 
📍 Fort Pierce City Marina, 1 Avenue A, Fort Pierce

🌟 Featuring Grammy nominee Paula Zuleta & Las Divas Allstars. Free concert with a relaxed and chill vibe, suitable for all types of attendees.

💥 Soulful Saturday at Sweet Desires Dessert Lounge 
📅 Saturday, October 19, 2024 | 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM 
📍 44 Royal Palm Pointe, Vero Beach, FL 32960

🍰 Enjoy live music while indulging in desserts and handcrafted cocktails. Tickets up to $20, educational and informative vibe.

💥 Dueling Pianos 
📅 Friday, October 18, 2024 | 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM 
📍 679 NW Enterprise Drive suite # 101, Port Saint Lucie

🍺 Enjoy a night of dueling pianos at this locally owned brewery. Seating is first come, first serve. No outside food or drink, no personal cups, 21 and over only. Tickets up to $20, elegant and classy vibe.

💥 Bodhisattva BLUES AND ORIGINALS BAND
📅 Saturday, October 19, 2024
📍 210 N 2nd St, Fort Pierce, FL 34950-4400, United States

Check Full Events List Here

💥 Haunted Halloween Market 
📅 Saturday, October 19, 2024 | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM EDT 
📍 Honeybee Hollow Apothecary, 10110 S US Hwy 1 PSL

👻 A spooktacular fall day with trick-or-treating, costumes, creepy activities, and local businesses. Dressing up is encouraged!

💥 Friday Drive In Horror Movie Nights | Nightmare On Elm Street | Freddy Vs. Jason 
📅 Friday, October 18, 2024 | 7:45 PM 
📍 601 Seaway Drive, Fort Pierce, FL 34949

Gates open at 6:45 PM. First movie starts at 7:45 PM, second movie at 9:30 PM. Double feature! Bring your family, friends, or come alone if you dare! Tickets up to $20, high-energy and fun vibe.

💥 Spooky Silent Disco 
📅 Saturday, October 19, 2024 | 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM 
📍 Hop Life Brewing Company, 679 NW Enterprise Drive suite # 101, Port Saint Lucie

🕺 Halloween-themed silent disco with costume contest. 21+ event. Free event with an elegant and classy vibe.

💥 Haunted Harvest 2024 
📅 Friday, October 18, 2024 | 6:00 PM - 11:59 PM 
📍 Saint Lucie Farm Preserve, 2651 Minute Maid Rd, Fort Pierce, FL 34945

🚜 Family-friendly event featuring U-Pick pumpkins, sunflowers, and zinnias, haunted hay rides, pumpkin catapult, corn cannon, and more. Free event with a high-energy and fun vibe.

Check Full Events List Here

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

📱 Keep up with the Sunland News on Instagram. Send comments & suggestions to [email protected]

🌴 All tip jar money for October, I will be donating to Reviving Anointed Word (RAW) Ministries