👋 Good Morning, West County!

In today’s ⚡️West County Pulse newsletter:

🌊 Route 141 Clear
🌆 Olia Village
🍕 Pizza Week

Let’s jump into today’s newsletter!

— Jared Michel

Top Stories

🌊 Route 141 Reopens After Flooding

The Meramec River's water levels have decreased significantly this weekend. MoDOT has reopened all lanes of Route 141 under I-44, including ramps and outer roads. Valley Park continues to experience moderate flooding, but conditions are expected to continue improving.

🌆 Monsanto Site's Next Chapter Begins

A significant transformation is beginning at Olive and Lindbergh in Creve Coeur. The former Monsanto/Bayer campus will become Olia Village, a $985 million mixed-use development spanning 96 acres. The project aims to create a walkable community by 2027, bringing residential, retail, and office space to the area.

🏛️ State, County Split On Prosecutor Choice

St. Louis County faces uncertainty over who will select its next prosecutor. Governor Mike Parson and County Executive Sam Page have announced separate processes to replace Wesley Bell, who won election to Congress. The dispute centers on different interpretations of state and county authority for filling the vacancy.

Business

🍕 Pizza Week Starts Today

Local restaurants are participating in St. Louis Pizza Week this week. The annual event features $10 pizza specials at participating locations throughout the region, including West County establishments. This year's event introduces a mobile app where customers can track their visits and earn points toward a $250 prize in pizza gift cards.

🚜 Flooding Forces Brookdale Farms Event Cancellations

Rising waters from the Big and Meramec Rivers surrounded Brookdale Farms last week. The Eureka-area event venue experienced flooding above its fence line, impacting several buildings and forcing event relocations. The property manager reported that the flooding caused more extensive damage than the tornado that struck the venue in April.

🎄 Menards Launches Holiday Collection

Local Menards stores are inviting community members to donate new, unwrapped toys for children in need this November. The home improvement retailer has placed collection boxes near store exits for easy drop-off. As part of their holiday transformation, stores are also featuring their annual Enchanted Forest display of Christmas trees and decorations.

School District Highlights

⏰ Rockwood Updates School Schedule

Rockwood is implementing schedule changes for the 2025-2026 school year. The school board has approved a new calendar that will start school days seven minutes earlier across all grade levels. The adjusted schedule keeps current dismissal times while reducing the total number of school days from 176 to 173.

📚 Rockwood Plans Budget Meeting Tomorrow (Tuesday)

A community meeting at Eureka High School tomorrow will help shape Rockwood’s future. The session begins at 6pm and will concentrate on financial planning. District officials are seeking input from all community members as they develop their five-year strategic plan.

🗳️ Students Cast Their Mock Votes in Parkway

Mock ballots and real excitement filled Parkway hallways last week as students participated in a time-honored tradition of presidential election year voting. Students experienced the complete voting process, from registration to ballot casting, learning valuable lessons about civic engagement and democratic participation.

City Highlights

Ballwin

🎬 Fox2 Puts Ballwin in the Spotlight

Last week Fox2 News turned their cameras on Ballwin's hidden gems for a special morning broadcast. The news crew explored various corners of the city, from popular hangouts to lesser-known spots. For those who missed the live broadcast, the city has shared a YouTube playlist featuring all the segments here.

Des Peres

📱 Social Media Buzz for Des Peres Park

A fresh video tour reveals the changes at Des Peres Park off Manchester Road. ExploreSTLParks captured footage of the space, sharing an inside look at what West County families can discover when visiting the updated community destination.

explorestlparks

View more on Instagram

Eureka

🌉 Eureka Bridge Project On Hold

The planned replacement of Eureka's Allenton Bridge is on hold as it is facing an unexpected challenge. Recent construction bids revealed the project would cost $18 million, significantly higher than the city's $9 million estimate. The project would have created a four-lane crossing with a pedestrian lane, connecting several subdivisions to Highway 66 and I-44.

Manchester

🎖️ Manchester Honoring Vets With Day of Tribute Today

From pancakes to patriotic tunes, Manchester is pulling out all the stops this Veterans Day today. The celebration begins with a complimentary breakfast for veterans at American Legion Post 208, continues with a powerful Flags of Valor display at Margaret Stoecker Park, and concludes with an evening of storytelling and folk music at the Justice Center.

👮 Manchester Names New Police Leaders

Last week Manchester Police Department celebrated two important promotions within their ranks. Ed Skaggs assumed the role of police chief in October, while Brian Yount stepped into the position of captain shortly after. The two officers have dedicated a combined 56 years of service to keeping Manchester safe.

🏛️ Mayor to Host Community Meeting Wednesday (Nov 13)

Manchester's Justice Center will host a public forum with Mayor Mike Clement on Wednesday at 6pm. The "Conversations with the Mayor" event will provide residents an opportunity to ask questions about city matters and hear updates about Manchester's current initiatives.

Town & Country

🏘️ New Life for Woods Mill Center

Town & Country's landscape is evolving at Woods Mill Center. McBride Homes has secured approval for a mixed-use development that transforms the distressed property into an upscale community. The project includes 14 eight-unit condominium buildings and a 12,000-square-foot commercial space, with first residents expected in early 2026.

Wildwood

🦌 Wildwood Seeks Help With Deer Program

Wildwood officials have announced a comprehensive deer management plan for 2025. The initiative will focus on a designated zone between Highway 109 and Clarkson Valley, including areas along Wild Horse Creek Road. The city is seeking property owners with three or more acres to participate in the population management program. Interested property owners can express their interest in the program here.

THANKS!

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