⚡️ Cicada Update, Repaired Venue, A New Six Flags Ride

Author

Jared Michel
April 22, 2024

👋 Good Morning, West County!

In today’s ⚡️ West County Pulse newsletter:

  • 🦗 Cicada Emergence Delayed

  • 💒 A Wedding Venue Races to Repair

  • 🎡 A New Six Flags Ride

Let’s jump into today’s newsletter!

— Jared Michel

THE DIGEST

🦗 Cicada Watch Continues: Ground Temps Still Below 64°

Last week we mentioned that soil temperatures needed to reach 64 degrees for the incoming cicadas to emerge. Despite a brief rise in temperature last week and some warm rain, according to an update from the Butterfly House, the soil temperature peaked at only 60.1 degrees last week. With colder temperatures this past weekend, the Butterfly House predicts that the cicada emergence will likely be delayed by at least another week or two now.

🏊‍♀️ Chesterfield Swimmer Makes Olympic Trials Cut

Sydney Schoeck, a 15-year-old sophomore at Westminster Christian Academy, recently qualified for the Olympic Trials in the 200-meter backstroke. She achieved this feat at the Columbia Spring Sectional Olympic Trials where she set a personal best time of 2:12.31. Schoeck, who now trains with the Clayton Shaw Park Tideriders, is working hard to secure a spot on the Junior National Team and potentially compete at the Olympic Trials in Indianapolis this June.

💒 Eureka’s Brookdale Farms Raced to Repair Wedding Venue

A tornado tore through Brookdale Farms in Eureka on Thursday, damaging the wedding venue where a couple planned to tie the knot this past weekend. The storm ripped off part of the roof and blew out doors, but no one was hurt. Amazingly, the venue staff worked quickly to make repairs in time for the Saturday wedding. The bride's parents said they felt blessed to be safe and advised rolling with the punches when things don't go as planned. Brookdale Farms posted up-close photos of the damage here.

🎉 April Showers Event a Huge Success for Girl Scouts

The Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri's April Showers event on Saturday, April 13, was a resounding success. In particular, the Circle of Concern reported that Girl Scouts from District 12, which includes Valley Park and Fenton, collected an impressive 42,242 personal care items weighing 4,929 pounds. The donations will support Circle families for months to come thanks to the efforts of the Girl Scouts and the generous community.

🏫 Creve Coeur Catholic School Shutting Down

Last week St. Monica Catholic School in Creve Coeur announced its closure at the end of the 2023-2024 school year due to declining enrollment. With only 120 students enrolled for the upcoming year and one grade level having just three students, the school faced financial challenges. The Archdiocese of St. Louis will help faculty and staff with placement and assist families in finding new Catholic schools for their children. Read more here and here.

LOCAL BUSINESS

🍕 Imo's Pizza Turns 60!

Local favorite Imo's Pizza is commemorating 60 years of serving up their signature pies this year! The company recently marked the milestone by posting a vintage photo of their first restaurant, a reminder of their humble beginnings:

🎡 Six Flags Starts Construction on New Joker-Themed Ride

Six Flags St. Louis has begun construction on their new ride, THE JOKER™: Carnival of Chaos. The pendulum ride, standing at an impressive 17 stories tall, will reach speeds of up to 75 mph and offer riders a thrilling view of the world below as it swings and spins. Checkout a digital rendering of what the ride will look like here.

🔒 Kia to Offer Free Anti-Theft Software Upgrade

The city of Chesterfield announced that Kia America is hosting a free Anti-Theft Software Upgrade event at the Chesterfield Mall this upcoming Sunday (April 28th) from 8am to 3pm. Kia owners can bring their vehicles to receive a complimentary software upgrade that enhances their car's security. The installation process takes only 20 minutes, making it a quick and easy way to protect your Kia from potential theft.

🫶 Learn Life-Saving Skills at CPR Class

The Metro West Fire Protection District is offering a community CPR class this Saturday (April 27th). Participants will learn essential life-saving skills that could make a critical difference in an emergency. Learn more / register here.

SCHOOL DISTRICT HIGHLIGHTS

Parkway

🎈 Parkway Celebrates 70 Years at Grant's Farm

Parkway recently celebrated its 70th anniversary with a special employee appreciation event at Grant's Farm. Staff and their families enjoyed a Saturday filled with connection, as colleagues met each other's loved ones for the first time at this unique gathering.

Rockwood

Here are some highlights from last week’s Board of Education meeting:

Superintendent Dr. Curtis Cain recognized several notable achievements across the district:

  • The libraries at Eureka High School and Rockwood Summit High School earned the prestigious Exemplary School Library Program distinction from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for the 2023-2024 school year.

  • For the 19th consecutive year, the district earned the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Association of School Business Officials International for its 2023-2024 comprehensive financial report.

  • Molly Clince from Westridge Elementary, CJ VanZandt from Crestview Middle, and Jenni Highfill from Eureka High were selected from among 31 building Teachers of the Year as the 2024 Rockwood School District Teachers of the Year for their respective grade levels.

The Board took action on two policies related to student success:

  • They approved reviewing and updating Board Policy 2521, which covers the promotion and retention of elementary and middle school students, to ensure it aligns with recent legislative changes from August 2022.

  • They also approved the development of a new Board Policy 2550 specifically focused on reading success and literacy. This policy is being created to comply with new state requirements and will comprehensively address the district's reading programs and support.

CITY HIGHLIGHTS

Clarkson Valley

The April edition of Clarkson Valley’s Stroll city magazine has been released here.

Ellisville

🏞️ Ellisville Seeks Input on Bluebird Park Plans

The Ellisville Parks and Recreation Department is seeking public input on potential improvements to the eastern section of Bluebird Park. A meeting will be held tonight at 7pm in the Bluebird Park Administration Building where residents can share their ideas and suggestions. The department encourages the community to participate in shaping the future of this beloved park.

You may also submit your comments in online survey format here.

Eureka

🌴 Timbers Improvements Officially Underway!

The Timbers has officially started its major improvement projects today. Saunas, showers, and locker rooms will be closed starting today as they undergo upgrades. Learn more here.

🚚 Big Truck & Safety Day to Roll into Eureka

The Eureka Parks and Recreation Department is teaming up with the Eureka Police Department for a day of fun and learning. Explore various vehicles and gain valuable safety tips this Saturday from 10am to 1pm.

Manchester

 🌳 Snip Snap! Free Limb Chipping in Ward 3 Today

Today is limb chipping day for Ward 3. The Public Works Department will start their rounds at 7am, and just as a reminder…. it might take more than one day to cover all areas, so no worries if your limbs aren’t handled right away. Learn more about the program here.

🚨 Manchester Arts Dept. Seeks Book Donations

The Little Free Libraries in Margaret Stoecker Park were recently vandalized and emptied of their books. The Manchester Arts Department is calling for book donations to help restock these community book-sharing boxes.

Town and Country

🚗 T&C Police Enforce Teen Seatbelt Use

The Town and Country Police Department took part in a statewide youth seatbelt enforcement campaign from April 1-15th. During the initiative, officers issued a total of 209 tickets, including 5 for seatbelt violations and 108 for speeding, with one driver clocked at 120 mph and subsequently arrested. Police Chief Daniel Wilkey emphasized the importance of wearing seatbelts as the best defense in a crash, noting that over 25% of Missouri teens still fail to buckle up. Read the press release here.

UPCOMING EVENTS

  • Wednesday: Ozzie Smith Meet & Greet @ Dierbergs Des Peres from 3:30pm to 4:30pm. Learn more here.

  • Saturday: 

    • Big Truck and Safety Day @ Eureka HS 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.

      • Wildwood from 10am to 2pm. Learn more here.

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

Next Week

  • Tuesday April 30: Manchester Blood Drive @ the Manchester Justice Center from 10am to 3pm. Learn more here.

  • Thursday May 2 - Sunday May 5: 2024 Greater St. Louis Book Fair @ Queeny Park. Learn more / buy tickets here.

  • Friday May 3: St. Louis County Park Foundation’s Cinco De Kilometer 5k Fun Walk @ Creve Coeur Lake. Learn more / register here.

  • Saturday May 4: Vantage Credit Union’s Shred Day 2024 @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheater from 9am to 12pm. 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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