👋 Good Morning, West County!

In today’s ⚡️West County Pulse newsletter:

🌁 A Dust Cloud Commute Earlier This Week
🌋 Earthquake Prep
🫀 A New Cardiac Health Partnership

Let’s jump into today’s newsletter!

— Jared Michel

General News

🌁 Morning Haze Impacts Local Commute

A mass of atmospheric dust passed over our area on Wednesday morning, affecting visibility for commuters. The dust cloud, positioned at approximately 10,000 feet, originated from drought-stricken southwestern states. Despite the hazy conditions, air quality monitors indicated minimal health impacts from the event.

🌋 MO Prepares for New Madrid Fault Activity

A new planning tool is helping Missouri prepare for future earthquake scenarios. The Central U.S. Earthquake Consortium developed a model showing potential impacts if the New Madrid Seismic Zone produces another major earthquake. Experts note a 7-10% chance of a magnitude-7+ earthquake within 50 years, with projected damages ranging from $75 billion to $145 billion depending on the epicenter location.

📚 Chesterfield Library Plans New Branch

The Samuel C. Sachs branch of the St. Louis County Library will be rebuilt. The replacement facility in Chesterfield is part of a $353 million development plan for the area. The library will include an outdoor patio, larger community meeting space, and improved amenities when it opens to the public in early 2027.

🎭 Library Adds Kid-Friendly Audio Kits

The St. Louis County Library has added new resources for families. Toniebox and Yoto Kits, screen-free audio players with pre-loaded songs and stories for children, are now available for checkout as of yesterday (March 19th).

Business

🫀 New Cardiac Arrest Program Launches

St. Luke's Hospital and the Monarch Fire Protection District have established a new partnership to help cardiac arrest patients. The collaboration introduces Extracorporeal CPR (ECPR), which uses specialized equipment to support heart and lung function when traditional CPR isn't effective. First responders now alert surgeons while transporting patients, giving the hospital valuable preparation time.

🛒 Creve Coeur Schnucks Faces Issues

The Creve Coeur Schnucks on Olive Boulevard is experiencing significant technical problems. Electrical issues affecting refrigeration systems have forced the store to temporarily stop selling most perishable items, offering only non-perishables, produce, and limited bakery goods. Shoppers needing refrigerated products should visit nearby locations on Clayton Road and Olive Boulevard.

👶 Eureka Adds Safe Haven for Infants

Eureka now has a Safe Haven baby box at Fire Station #2 on West Fifth Street. Installed on Wednesday, the unit provides a temperature-controlled environment for the anonymous surrender of infants. This marks the third such installation in our area, joining existing boxes in Mehlville and Cedar Hill. The baby box was made possible through community donations.

🌊 On the Run Donates Water to Storm Areas

On the Run St. Louis is providing essential support to storm-affected communities. The company has distributed over 1,000 cases of water to residents in the Rolla area and other regions impacted by recent storms.

School District Highlights

📢 Parkway Shares Storm Recovery Progress

Parkway has issued an update regarding damage from Friday's storm. Their Instagram announcement detailed how Central High suffered roof damage and downed power lines on buses. The post highlighted that nearly 50 staff members worked through the weekend on repairs and cleanup. Despite power outages at 11 buildings, the district reports all schools except Central High escaped significant damage.

Ballwin

🌲 Reminder: Little Explorers Starts April

Don't forget to register your little ones for Ballwin's upcoming Little Explorers program. Each 90-minute morning session will offer nature exploration, crafts, and snacks for children ages 2-5. Learn more / register here.

Creve Coeur

🏠 CCPD Offers Free Vacation Home Checks

The Creve Coeur Police Department put out a reminder that they offer complimentary residence checks for residents traveling out of town. This service helps ensure homes remain secure while owners are away. Register by contacting the police department directly.

Manchester

🌳 Special Branch Collection Underway

Today (3/20) and tomorrow Manchester's Public Works Department is launching a special limb chipping service to address recent storm damage. Collection will begin at 7am for branches placed at the curb. Residents who miss this special collection can utilize the regular spring chipping program beginning April 7.

🏗️ Manchester Approves Playground Contract

Manchester's Board of Aldermen has officially selected Integra, Inc. as the contractor for the Schroeder Park Playground Project. The decision was made during Monday night's meeting and represents an important step forward. The project will focus on creating a modern playground design that serves as an inclusive space for community members of all ages.

Wildwood

🗣️ Survey Closes Tomorrow (3/21)

Wildwood's Master Plan survey closes tomorrow (Friday). The city is seeking resident input on community strengths and areas for improvement. The three-minute questionnaire will guide decisions on development, conservation, and quality of life. Take it here.

🌲 Trail Work: Invasives Cleared Away

A section of the Al Foster Trail between Rockwoods Reservation and the Meramec Greenway was temporarily closed this week for necessary maintenance. The work focused on removing invasive species along the trail between Old State Road and Grand Avenue.

Upcoming Events

THANKS!

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