⚡️ Ballwin Shines, Imo's Sizzles, New SLCL Branch

👋 Good Morning, West County!

In today’s ⚡️ West County Pulse newsletter:

  • 🎉 Ballwin's Safety Success

  • 🍕 Imo's Red Hot Riplets Wings

  • 📚 SLCL's Impressive New Branch

Let’s jump into today’s newsletter!

Jared Michel

THE DIGEST

🎉 Ballwin Shines as #7 Safest City in Missouri

Ballwin has been named the 7th safest city in Missouri by SafeWise, a home security company. The annual report, based on FBI crime rates and a "state of safety" survey, highlights Ballwin's low crime rates and the successful efforts of its police department in maintaining a secure environment for its residents. Read Fox 2’s reporting here.

🌟 SLCL Unveils State-of-the-Art Clark Branch

This summer the St. Louis County Library will open the doors to its newest and largest branch – the Clark Family Branch in Ladue. The stunning, state-of-the-art facility spans an impressive 74,000 square feet and will offer a wide array of unique amenities for visitors to enjoy. From an outdoor reading deck and interactive children's area to a high-tech teen space and dedicated genealogy and small business centers, there's something for everyone at this brand-new location. Kicking off the grand opening on June 1st, the branch will host a ticketed event featuring musician Darius Rucker discussing his new memoir, "Life's Too Short."

🙏 Thanking the Unseen Heroes of Public Safety

This week marks National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, a time to honor the dedicated 911 dispatchers who serve as the first line of response in emergencies. These unsung heroes work tirelessly 24/7, answering calls and dispatching help when it's needed most. Local agencies, including the Central County Emergency 911, the Creve Coeur Police Department, and the Des Peres Department of Public Safety, have expressed their gratitude for the critical role these professionals play in keeping our communities safe.

🎉 St. Louis County Announces Free Summer Concerts

St. Louis County Parks and Recreation has announced a new summer event series called Waterfront Wednesdays. The series will feature free, family-friendly concerts once a month from June to September at various parks throughout the county, including Creve Coeur Lake Park on August 7. Each concert will showcase a live, local musician and take place from 6:30pm-8pm.

LOCAL BUSINESS

🍕 Imo's Launches Limited-Time Red Hot Riplets Wings

Imo's Pizza has partnered with Old Vienna to bring the popular Red Hot Riplets flavor to their wings for a limited time. The dry rub-style wings are available in both boneless and bone-in varieties at Imo's Pizza parlors through June. Customers can order these spicy wings in person, by phone, or online using the Imo's app.

🐷 Salt + Smoke Sizzles with Expansion Plans

Salt + Smoke is gearing up for nationwide expansion through franchising. To support their growth plans, they've recently added a new VP of Growth and a new CFO. The company, which opened its first location in the Delmar Loop in 2014, now has five restaurants across the St. Louis area and is eyeing further expansion, including a potential Metro East location.

⛳️ Tee off at Chesterfield Chamber Golf Classic

The Chesterfield Regional Chamber is hosting its 34th Annual Golf Classic Tournament on Monday, April 29, 2024, at Persimmon Woods Golf Club. The tournament will feature a "best-ball" format (4-person scramble) with a shotgun start. After the tournament, players will enjoy cocktails, appetizers, an awards ceremony, silent auction, and raffle drawing at the clubhouse.

🚚 Chesterfield Logistics Company Buys Atlanta Biz

Sheer Logistics, a Chesterfield company that helps businesses manage their shipping needs, has bought CargoBarn, an Atlanta company that provides similar services. By joining together, the combined company (which will keep the Sheer Logistics name) will be able to offer customers more options for getting their products where they need to go. The financial details of the deal weren't shared publicly, but both companies are excited about the opportunity to grow together.

SCHOOL DISTRICT HIGHLIGHTS

Rockwood

🏅 Rockwood Summit AD Earns Top District Honor

Mitch Lefkowitz, Activities Director at Rockwood Summit High, has been voted the 2023-2024 MIAAA St. Louis AD of the Year by his fellow ADs in the area. Lefkowitz was nominated alongside three other ADs and will be recognized at the Spring MIAAA Conference. He expressed gratitude for the support of his family, coaching staff, and the Summit/Rockwood administration in his efforts to deliver a quality experience for student-athletes.

📣 Rockwood Board Member Resigns

Jessica Clark, a member of the Rockwood Board of Education, has announced her resignation effective May 17. Clark cited her move out of the district as the reason for her departure.

CITY HIGHLIGHTS

Ballwin

🎤 Ballwin Announces Free Concert!

Get ready for a fantastic evening of music and fun at New Ballwin Park this August! This week the Ballwin Parks and Recreation Department announced they will host a free concert featuring the band Trilogy. Bring your lawn chairs, picnic blankets, and favorite snacks to enjoy while rocking out on the hillside. Plus, Boy Scout Troop 310 will sell refreshments like ice cream, pretzels, and water, and additional parking will be available at Woerther Elementary.

Chesterfield

🏊‍♀️ Chesterfield Seeks Summer Swim Team Coach

The city of Chesterfield announced they are seeking to hire a head coach for their recreational summer swim team. The position requires leading practices Monday through Friday mornings from 8am to 10am, as well as Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7:10pm to 8:15pm. Interested applicants can apply online here.

Ellisville

🚨 Hoax Call Triggers Ellisville School Lockdown

Yesterday the Ellisville Police Department received a hoax call reporting a violent act near Ellisville Elementary, prompting a brief precautionary lockdown at the school. Officers quickly determined the call was false, and the lockdown was lifted, with police praising the school staff's swift response.

Eureka

📱 Eureka Police Dept. Launches New Text System

Yesterday the Eureka Police Department was excited to announce a new text messaging system to better serve the community. After calling 911, citizens may receive SMS instructions before an officer arrives on certain calls. The department will also send brief surveys after some interactions to gather feedback and improve services. Participation is optional, and the system cannot be used to report emergencies or contact officers directly.

🗳️ Eureka Votes 5-1 to Ban Container Living Spaces

On April 2, the Eureka Board of Aldermen voted 5-1 to amend the city's municipal code to prohibit the use of storage containers, shipping containers, and trailers as residences or offices. Alderwoman Carleen Murray was the sole vote against the change. The decision comes as a response to the growing trend of converting these structures into sustainable living spaces. Learn more here.

Manchester

🚗 Free Car Washes at Schroeder Park Tomorrow

Tomorrow Parkway South students will participate in community service projects for Parkway South Serves. As part of the event, they will provide free car washes at Schroeder Park from 8:30am to 12:00pm.

Town and Country

🎸 City to Host Music, Food & Drinks

Get ready to rock out at Town Square this Friday, April 19th from 6-8pm! Town and Country is throwing a free concert starring the electrifying Hollywood 5. Sip on refreshing craft beers from Steampunk Brew Works and fine wines from Embrace the Grape, while chowing down on mouth-watering BBQ from Pappy's Rollin Smoke and Truck Norris food trucks. Learn more here.

Twin Oaks

📂 Twin Oaks to Offer Free Shredding on May 11th

Last week the city of Twin Oaks announced they will be hosting a free paper shredding event on Saturday, May 11, 2024, from 9-11 a.m. at the Twin Oaks Town Hall. The event, conducted by Secure Document Destruction, will be open to all residents of Twin Oaks and the 63021/63088 zip codes.

Wildwood

🌳 Wildwood to Celebrate Arbor Day with Free Saplings

Wildwood is celebrating Arbor Day by giving away free tree saplings to residents on Friday, April 26th. Head to Wildwood City Hall between 8:30am and 4:30pm to choose from Cherrybark Oak, Persimmon, or River Birch saplings, while supplies last (limit one per household).

UPCOMING EVENTS

  • Tomorrow: Stargazing Night @ Bluebird Park from 8pm to 9:30pm.

  • Friday - Sunday: Just Between Friends Sale @ Queeny Park. Learn more / purchase tickets here.

  • Saturday: 

    • Manchester’s Maker's Mart & Arbor Day Festival from 10am to 4pm. Learn more here and here.

    • Document shred event at FMB- Eureka from 9am to 12pm. Learn more here.

Next Week

  • Saturday April 27: 

    • Big Truck and Safety Day @ Eureka High from 10am to 1pm. Learn more here.

    • DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Confirmed participating cities:

      • Ballwin

      • Clarkson Valley from 10am to 2pm. Learn more here.

THANKS!

Thanks for reading this edition of the ⚡️ West County Pulse newsletter. If you found something useful, please share it with a friend!

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