👋 Good Morning, West County!

In today’s ⚡️West County Pulse newsletter:

• 🌧️ Helene's Heavy Rains

• 🏙️ Cities' Boundary Plans

• 🍝 Bartolino's Coming to Twin Oaks

Let’s jump into today’s newsletter!

— Jared Michel

Top Stories

🌧️ Helene Set to Bring Rain to St. Louis Area

Our area is expected to have a very wet weekend due to Hurricane Helene. The heaviest rainfall is predicted along and southeast of I-44 in Missouri and I-70 in Illinois. Most creeks and streams are expected to handle the water, but some localized flooding may occur.

🏙️ West County Cities Consider Boundary Changes

Several cities in our area recently presented their boundary map plans to the St. Louis Boundary Commission as part of a required five-year planning process. Wildwood and Chesterfield both included the possibility of annexing Clarkson Valley in their plans, while Ballwin expressed interest in nearby state parks. Officials stressed these are preliminary ideas.

🏠 New Spire Meters Raise Bill Concerns

Some area residents are experiencing unexpected increases in their Spire gas bills. Following the installation of new advanced meters, some homeowners report significant spikes in their monthly charges. Spire claims the devices offer benefits like enhanced safety features and daily usage tracking.

💻 Botanical Garden Hit by Cyber Attack

A data security breach has occurred at the Missouri Botanical Garden. The incident, discovered on March 7, involved unauthorized access to the Garden's network. Personal information such as names, driver's license numbers, and Social Security numbers may have been compromised. The Garden has enlisted cybersecurity specialists to investigate and strengthen their systems.

Business

🍝 Twin Oaks to Get a Taste of Italy

Exciting news for pasta lovers! Bartolino's Restaurant is bringing its Italian flavors to Twin Oaks this October. The eatery recently installed its sign, marking a significant step towards its grand opening. Local residents can look forward to savoring authentic Italian cuisine without leaving their neighborhood soon.

🦋 Butterfly House Celebrating Birthday This Weekend

The Butterfly House is hosting a special birthday event this weekend. Visitors can participate in various activities including crafts, games, and animal encounters, and a temporary tattoo station will be available. After completing the Birthday Bash passport, guests can spin a prize wheel. All activities are included with regular admission.

⚽️ CITY SC Scarf Giveaway Kicks Off

Local CITY SC supporters have a unique opportunity. Together Credit Union is giving away three autographed scarves from goalkeeper Roman Bürki. Entering is easy: comment with your favorite 2024 season memory by end of day today (Friday) here. The credit union will reveal winners on their Facebook page tomorrow (September 28th).

🧊 City Helps Ice Center Make Payment

The Centene Community Ice Center in Maryland Heights is experiencing financial difficulties. The facility hasn't generated enough revenue to cover its debts, leading the city to transfer over $260,000 from its general fund. This money will help make the latest interest payment on the $55.5 million in bonds used for construction.

City Highlights

Ballwin

🚔 Former Ballwin Chief Faces Allegations

Ballwin's former police chief is at the center of a developing controversy. Douglas Schaeffler, who served from 2019 to 2023, was fired after an investigation into his conduct. Allegations include on-duty alcohol purchases, driving city vehicles while intoxicated, and creating a culture where drinking with him could lead to career advancement. The situation has resulted in multiple lawsuits.

Chesterfield

🛠️ Auto Body Shop Proposed for Long Road Crossing

Chesterfield residents may soon have a new option for vehicle repairs. The proposed B Street Collision Center, part of a Midwest chain, aims to provide post-collision services in the area. The 30-foot-tall facility would be located in the Long Road Crossing subdivision, pending city council approval.

Creve Coeur

📊 Creve Coeur Launches Resident Survey

Creve Coeur is reaching out to its residents for valuable feedback. The city is mailing its triennial survey to randomly selected households. This important questionnaire covers local opportunities and challenges. City officials will use the responses to guide their decision-making and improve services over the next three years.

🔌 Creve Coeur Discusses EV Charging Rules

Creve Coeur is planning for the future of electric vehicles. Earlier in September the city's planning department presented a tiered approach for regulating charging stations, from simple Level 1 chargers to more complex Level 3 stations. The council debated how to balance technological advancement with community standards.

Des Peres

🚧 Des Peres Road Roundabout Progresses

Construction on the Des Peres Road Roundabout is moving forward. A new traffic control plan has been implemented this week, replacing temporary signals with an all-way stop. Old Des Peres Road has become a one-way southbound for the next couple of weeks due to width limitations at the north end of the project.

Manchester

🌿 Manchester Nears Plastic Recycling Goal

Manchester's environmental campaign is in its final phase, with the city nearly reaching its 1,000-pound plastic collection goal. Residents are encouraged to bring grocery bags and plastic film to various city buildings. The collected materials will be recycled into a bench, serving as a reminder of the community's commitment to sustainability.

Wildwood

🦌 Wildwood Considers Deer Management Plan

The City of Wildwood is taking steps to address its deer overpopulation issue. After partnering with wildlife experts and conducting surveys, officials are proposing a culling program for the 2024-2025 winter. The plan aims to remove up to 355 deer from specific areas, with a focus on balancing wildlife numbers with community safety and environmental health.

Upcoming Events

Visit our full community calendar here for a comprehensive list of events.

📆 Next 7 Days

THANKS!

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