👋 Good Morning, West County!

In today’s ⚡️West County Pulse newsletter:

🌪️ Tornado Aftermath
🤝 A New Rockwood/Teacher Contract Deal
🎁 Area Nonprofits Received Donations

Let’s jump into today’s newsletter!

— Jared Michel

General News

🌪️ Storm Damage Reported Across County

Last night’s storm caused a fair amount of damage across our area. High winds caused damage to structures, utility lines, and trees. As one example, have a look at the damage Rockwood Summit High’s batting cage structure sustained. In total, there were six possible tornados that hit the area throughout the storm.

🤝 Rockwood, Teachers Reach Agreement

A new agreement between Rockwood School District and its teachers has been reached. The teachers' union ratified the contract Thursday, and it will be presented to the Board of Education on March 27. Superintendent Curtis Cain acknowledged that teacher compensation remains lower than other county districts but stated this agreement represents progress toward addressing those concerns.

💻 New Features Coming to Tax Freeze Portal

An update to the county’s Senior Citizen Property Tax Freeze Portal is scheduled for late March. The upgraded system will enable residents to check application status through their acknowledgment link. Applications must reach "SUBMISSION COMPLETE" status before the July review. Remember that June 30th is the deadline for this tax year, with later submissions processed for the following year.

🦌 The Story Behind Lone Elk Park

St. Louis County Parks and Recreation this week shared the fascinating origin of Lone Elk Park's name. The area, originally called Tyson Valley, was used by the Federal Government for ammunition testing during WWII before becoming a county park with elk and bison. When the Korean War began, the military reclaimed the land and eliminated the wildlife herds—except for one bull elk that managed to survive undetected for six years, inspiring the park's renaming in 1966.

💰 Missouri Tax Changes Move Forward

The Missouri House has voted to approve a tax cut package that would make several changes to the state tax code. The legislation would lower the income tax rate to a potential 3.7% by 2035, eliminate capital gains taxes starting in 2025, and replace the current brackets with a flat tax system. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.

Business

🎁 Local Nonprofits Receive Donations

Five local nonprofits recently received substantial financial support this week from the community. The St. Louis Food Bank, Crisis Nursery, and three other organizations each received tens of thousands of dollars from donations collected through "Light The World" giving machines at the West County Center in Des Peres between December 6-18.

🛍️ Eureka's Annual Garage Sale Today (3/15)

The midwest's largest garage sale takes place in Eureka in the Six Flags parking lot today from 7am to 3pm. For $10 per vehicle, shoppers can explore numerous vendors selling secondhand items, artisan crafts, and more. Food vendors will also be available throughout the event.

🏗️ New Ellisville Veterinary Facility Taking Shape

Construction is progressing on Ellisville Veterinary's new location on Old State Road. The practice is relocating from Clarkson Road because they need more space for their operations. The new facility will include additional exam rooms, a dedicated comfort room, and a larger treatment area, but the practice emphasizes that their veterinary care approach will remain unchanged.

School District Highlights

🏆 Rockwood Honors Achievement Winners

The Rockwood School District held its Board of Education Awards this week. More than 170 recipients from across the district were honored for achievements that represent the highest standards of excellence. Students from elementary through high school levels participated in the ceremony at Rockwood Summit High, including two groups who received special "Above and Beyond Awards" for helping classmates in distress.

Chesterfield

🚶 Pathway Project Gets Final Approval

Chesterfield is completing its pedestrian infrastructure with a crucial final segment. The City Council recently approved design services for the last section of its Pathway on the Parkway project, creating a continuous route from Clayton Road to Chesterfield Parkway. The $2.29 million project is 80% funded by a Transportation Alternatives Program grant, with construction set for 2027.

Manchester

🚨 CERT Training Returns to Manchester

Manchester is offering free emergency preparedness training this spring. The Community Emergency Response Team program will being April 8th and will meet every Tuesday evening for six weeks at the Parks Building. Participants will learn practical skills including medical triage, search and rescue, and fire suppression before participating in a May disaster drill. Contact Manchester’s Lt. Evan Waters at [email protected] or 636-227-1410, ext. 372 to sign up.

Upcoming Events

THANKS!

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