Good Morning, Sunland
It's Monday! Wake up, wake up, wake up. It's the first of the month, so excited to have you all here. I want to give a big shout out to the People Pass members. Cannot thank you enough for the ongoing, continuous support.
I also want to shout out Dale Ann Ervin and Irving, who told me they love how I dig into stories and give information we don't get elsewhere. I just want to say I really, really appreciate that. Thank you. That means everything. August will make two official years that this newsletter has been going. I'm trying to improve it every single day, and you all continue to help in that mission.
💜 People Pass Shoutout: Thank you to everyone supporting the newsletter! If you want to help keep this going, support here.
In today's newsletter:
🅿️ Downtown Fort Pierce enforcing two hour parking limits starting today
🌉 $102 million Sebastian Inlet Bridge replacement begins Monday
🗳️ Fort Pierce Commission candidates file June 8 through 12
⚠️ State report warns severe erosion could cut through Jupiter Island
🏆 Fort Pierce Commission meeting Monday with Youth Council awards
⛈️ Weather Update: Mix of sun and storms this afternoon.
☀️ Day: High of 92°F | Mixed clouds and sun this morning, 40% chance of rain.
🌙 Night: Low of 74°F | Winds W at 5-10 mph. 15% chance of rain.
🌅 Sunrise: 6:26 AM | 🌇 Sunset: 8:11 PM
🌙 Moonrise: 9:44 PM | 🌚 Moonset: 7:05 AM
🎶 Sounds like: "Love TKO" — Teddy Pendergrass
Ja'Min Devon
Founder, Sunland News
📋 The Average Score So Far Is 15 Out of 100
That means most people who have taken this quiz are almost completely unprepared for what their family would face if something happened tomorrow. I scored an 11. Takes two minutes. Find out where you stand.
Take the Quiz Now🟠 Main Squeeze: Downtown Fort Pierce is enforcing
two hour parking limits starting today
Starting this morning, June 1st, two hour parking limits are back in designated spots throughout downtown Fort Pierce on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The city hired two part time parking enforcement specialists to enforce the rule changes.
Why it matters: The two hour limit has technically been on the books since around 2008 but with only one part time enforcement specialist from 2018 to mid-2025 the rules were rarely enforced consistently.
Where the two hour limits apply 📋:
🛣️ Marina Way between U.S. 1 and the City Marina
🛣️ Orange Avenue between U.S. 1 and the oceanfront
🛣️ Atlantic Avenue between Second Street and Melody Lane
🛣️ North Depot Drive between Marina Way and Orange Avenue
🛣️ Second Street from Avenue D to Citrus Avenue
🛣️ South Indian River Drive between Marina Way and Citrus Avenue
🛣️ Melody Lane between the City Marina and Boston Avenue
Free unrestricted parking is still available in lots between Avenue H and Boston Avenue east of City Hall, plus two parking garages behind City Hall and next to the St. Lucie County Courthouse.
What it costs if you get a ticket 💰:
🔴 First offense: $50 if paid within 30 days
🔴 Second offense: $100 if paid within 30 days
🔴 Three or more offenses: mandatory special magistrate hearing, possible immobilization or towing if you owe $150 or more in delinquent citations
♿ Handicapped parking violations start at $250
What downtown businesses are saying 🗣️: Reactions are split. Some business owners say customers can never find parking because employees take all the spaces early in the morning. Others say two hours is not enough, particularly for restaurants, spas and service businesses where visits naturally run longer. Workers on long shifts are raising concerns about having to park in the garage, with at least one employee citing safety concerns walking to the garage at night.
What's next: The city says it will use parking data and community feedback to assess future parking initiatives 📅.
💬 What do you think about the two hour parking limit? Too long? Not Long enough? Leave a voicemail here with your thoughts
❓Press Round: Bridges, Ballots & Beaches
🌉 $102 Million Sebastian Inlet Bridge Replacement Begins Monday
The Sebastian Inlet Bridge replacement project starts June 1 and will continue for six years, keeping the 1964 crossing open except in emergencies with periodic lane closures between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays. The new 51 foot clearance bridge will include shared use paths for pedestrians and cyclists plus observation decks below.
👉 Read more (Vero News)
🗳️ Fort Pierce Commission Candidates File June 8 Through 12
Candidates for two Fort Pierce City Commission seats must declare their intentions by filing with the city clerk between noon June 8 and June 12. District 1 seat holder Arnold Gaines and District 2's Michael Broderick, both expected to seek reelection, represent the four year terms expiring. Filing requires a $25 fee plus $381.60 assessment or financial hardship affidavit.
👉 Read more (Hometown News)
⚠️ State Report Warns Severe Erosion Could Cut Through Jupiter Island
Two state reports raise urgent concerns about Jupiter Island's future. More than 11 miles of shoreline are so critically eroded the ocean could breach Peck Lake in Hobe Sound, an outcome that previously occurred in 1963. The FDEP Vulnerability Assessment identifying multiple critical assets at risk including stormwater facilities, historic sites and the Emergency Operations Center.
👉 Read more (WPTV)
🎉 Weekdayer: Monday - Friday Events
Monday, June 1
🚧 Avenue D Road Improvement Project Groundbreaking Ceremony – 1217 Avenue D, Fort Pierce. | 1 PM
Tuesday, June 2
🐾 Dave & Buster's Night for Delilah's 2nd Chance Rescue – Dave & Buster's, 2270 SW Gatlin Blvd, Port St. Lucie. | 6 PM – 9 PM | Details
Wednesday, June 3
🍺 Business & Brews at Isla Morada – Isla Morada Brewery & Distillery, 3200 St Lucie Blvd, Fort Pierce. | 5:30 PM | Free | Details
Friday, June 5
🎉 Friday Fest – Marina Square, Fort Pierce. | 5:30 PM | Free | Details
🎵 Leah Orchid Live – Elks Lodge 1520, 608 S 5th St, Fort Pierce. | 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM | Details
🎷 Bleu Clarinet 1st Fridays – Bleu Clarinet, 901 Avenue D, Fort Pierce. | 7 PM | $10 | Details
Send Me More Events Here
💧 The Last Drop: Fort Pierce Commission, St. Lucie County BOCC, Port St. Lucie
-
FORT PIERCE COMMISSION (June 1, 5:05pm):
🏆 Youth Council Awards approved – Fort Pierce meeting
🏫 Private school conditional use hearing – Pre-K through 8th grade school at 510 Orange Avenue, capacity 200 students, zoned commercial. School hearing
🏘️ Pulte Cornerstone development second reading – 49.92 acres near 2721 South Jenkins Road. Final site plan approval. Development
-
ST. LUCIE COUNTY BOCC (June 2, 6pm):
🎓 Citizen's Academy Graduation – County recognizing community participants. County meeting
🌊 World Ocean Day celebration June 6 – Free aquarium and history center admission, crafts, food, music at Museum Pointe Park 10am-2pm. Ocean Day
🤝 Joint Fort Pierce meeting June 18 – County/City discussing annexation, partnerships, downtown. Joint meeting
-
PORT ST. LUCIE:
📅 No meeting this week. Check calendar for June 8 meeting. PSL Calendar
With Love, Ja'Min · Fort Pierce, FL
📖 Thanks For Reading:
How was today’s newsletter?
📱 Keep up with the Sunland News: Send comments & suggestions to thesunlandcompany@gmail.com Follow us on, Instagram and Youtube
If you enjoyed this, consider forwarding to a friend!