👋 Good Morning, West County!

General News

🏗️ Farewell Mall, Hello Downtown Chesterfield

Dust and memories are all that remain of parts of the Chesterfield Mall as demolition continues on the five-decade-old landmark. Fox 2's photo collage captures the dramatic transformation. The site will become Downtown Chesterfield with high-rises, hotels, retail, and a central park, with first phases expected by 2027.

📰 West High Freshman Scores NYT Byline

Max Chung, a student from Parkway West High, earned a New York Times byline at the age of 15. The freshman's journalism class project about Boy Scout Troop 631 won the newspaper's photo essay contest. His piece documented the troop's 57-year legacy of producing nearly 300 Eagle Scouts.

🎖️ St. Louis Police Forces Honor Young Hero

Law enforcement from across St. Louis came together for a neat ceremony this week. DJ Daniel, a young boy courageously battling terminal cancer, was sworn in as an honorary police officer with representatives from more than 200 local agencies in attendance. This is the same young man that was honored by the Secret Service during President Trump’s address to Congress in March. The moving event, which included several West County police departments, celebrated DJ's remarkable spirit and also recognized the Rainbows for Kids organization.

🌳 Bradford Pears Face Legislative Axe

Missouri's Senate has approved a bill to address invasive plant species. Starting in 2027 and 2029, state-licensed nurseries would be prohibited from selling Bradford pear trees and five other invasive plants. The legislation, which passed with a 32-1 vote, aims to control these non-native species that have been rapidly spreading throughout Missouri's woods and natural areas, including all over our area of St. Louis.

Business

🎵 Music School Proposed for Wildwood

A recording studio has been proposed in Wildwood. Musicians Mike Zito and Mark McGraw have presented Broken Rocks, a 3,100-square-foot facility. The $3-4 million project would provide free studio time to emerging artists, with Grammy-winner Tony Braunagel joining the team.

🛒 Schnucks Teams Up With DoorDash

Schnucks has partnered with DoorDash to offer grocery delivery service. The new collaboration will allow customers to order groceries directly to their homes, from everyday essentials to premium products.

🦷 New Smiles Bloom in Ellisville

Families in Ellisville have a new dental care option. Bloomy's Pediatric Dentistry has officially opened at 24 Kiefer Creek Road.

🐾 Pawsome New Pet Paradise Coming to T&C Soon

A new pet-focused business is preparing to open its doors in Town and Country. Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming will offer personalized grooming services alongside exclusive gourmet treats for various occasions. Their all-natural pet nutrition products will aim to support pet health and happiness.

School District Highlights

🍎 Beloved Educator Don Senti Remembered

This week Parkway shared a touching tribute to Dr. Don Senti, who passed away on April 6 at age 80. The district's memorial highlights Senti's 26-year career with Parkway, including his time as superintendent from 1988-1995 and again in 2010-2011.

🏆 Rockwood Schools Ace Financial Test

Rockwood has maintained its impressive record yet again. The district has earned the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Association of School Business Officials International for the 20th consecutive year, demonstrating their ongoing commitment to transparency and quality in financial reporting.

Eureka

👮 Eureka's Police Chief Passes the Badge

After nearly four decades of dedicated service, Eureka is witnessing a historic changing of the guard. Chief Michael Wiegand, one of Missouri's longest-serving police chiefs, has retired after leading the department since 1987. His successor, Chief Michael Werges, brings 28 years of experience as only the fourth person to hold this position since 1958.

🔍 Photo Tour: Eureka's One-Stop Gov Shop

Photos of Eureka's new government headquarters are now available online (here and here). Two construction companies involved in the project posted image collections showing both exterior and interior views of the recently opened facility.

Manchester

🔔 City Hall Hosting Historic Tribute Friday

As a reminder, Manchester is kicking off America 250 celebrations this Friday at City Hall beginning at 1pm. featuring ceremonial lantern lighting, bell ringing, and a reading of Longfellow's Paul Revere's Ride.

Town & Country

📬 April Newsletter Arrives for Residents

The latest Town & Country Times has been published and can be read online here.

Twin Oaks

🐰 Twin Oaks Egg-stravaganza This Saturday

Twin Oaks Park will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt this Saturday (4/19) at 10am. The event will feature areas for different age groups, photos with the Easter Bunny, and golden egg prizes for lucky finders.

Wildwood

🌳 Wildwood Keeps Its Leafy Legacy Alive

For the fifteenth year running, Wildwood has secured its spot in the urban forestry hall of fame. The Arbor Day Foundation has once again recognized the city with the prestigious Tree City USA designation, highlighting Wildwood's ongoing dedication to environmental stewardship and preserving the natural beauty that makes the area special.

🚧 Wildwood Roads Getting Summer Makeover

Wildwood residents can expect road improvements in 2025. The City Council has approved resurfacing of Strecker Road from the Wildwood/Ellisville border to Kehrs Mill Road and Manchester Road from Route 109 to Rockwood Point Court. Additionally, the Centaur Road Bridge at Wild Horse Creek Road will undergo repairs including rehabilitation of bridge girder ends and sealing of the concrete deck. Learn more here.

Upcoming Events

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