👋 Good Morning, West County!

In today’s ⚡️West County Pulse newsletter:

• 🏫 KMOV Visits Parkway Elementary School

• 🏬 Chesterfield’s Outlet Mall Faces Money Woes

• 🍾 Barrel Blends Ribbon Cutting in Valley Park

Let’s jump into today’s newsletter!

— Jared Michel

Top Stories

🎒 KMOV Visits Green Trails Elementary

Last week Parkway’s kindergarteners at Green Trails Elementary shared their thoughts on school with KMOV's Steve Harris. The young students discussed various aspects of their first week, including classroom activities and snack time. Their responses offered a glimpse into the early school experience through a child's eyes.

🏬 Chesterfield Outlet Mall Faces Money Woes

St. Louis Premium Outlets in Chesterfield is facing financial challenges. The outlet mall's owner, Simon Property Group, has $67 million in mortgage debt due in October. While occupancy rates have improved to 86% since the pandemic, revenue remains below peak levels. The property's future is uncertain as lenders review potential strategies.

🛒 LETR Fundraiser at Local Schnucks Stores

The Special Olympics of Missouri “LETR Fundraiser” is coming to local Schnucks stores. Through September 14th, customers can participate in various ways to support the cause. Activities include entering a raffle for a 2024 GMC Pick-Up Truck, purchasing LETR t-shirts, or making cash donations. Check the provided schedule below for dates and times:

💰 $197M Boost for Bi-State Transit

The St. Louis County Council has approved a $197.1 million budget for the Bi-State Development Agency, which manages Metro public transit. This funding aims to support ongoing improvements in the transit system. Recent progress includes expanded routes and successful hiring events, with 173 job offers made in recent months.

Business

🍾 Valley Park Welcomes Barrel Blends

Valley Park has a new destination for wine and spirits enthusiasts. Barrel Blends Wines & Spirits recently opened its doors at 13645 Big Bend Road. The West St. Louis County Chamber of Commerce welcomed the business with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Barrel Blends offers a variety of wines, whiskeys, and beers, focusing on premium products and quality service.

🏟️ Miracle Field Gets Fresh Surface

The Chesterfield Valley Athletic Complex has completed renovations on its Miracle Field. The resurfacing project finished just in time for the Miracle League's fall season kickoff. A new scoreboard was also installed, enhancing the experience for players and spectators alike. These improvements ensure continued support for adaptive sports in the community.

👶 St. Luke's to Host Mom & Baby Extravaganza

St. Luke's Hospital is organizing a Mom & Baby Expo on October 24th, from 5-8pm. The event will provide information on pregnancy planning and early parenthood. Attendees can meet medical experts, tour facilities, and learn about maternity services.

🧡 Celebrate Fall at La Salle Retreat

La Salle Retreat Center's Pumpkin Fest is coming to Wildwood next month on October 6th. From 11am to 2pm, families will be able to enjoy a variety of activities, including live music, hayrides, and Chicken BINGO. The event is free and features food, drinks, and local vendors.

School District Highlights

🎓 Parkway-Rockwood College Fair at Queeny Park Tonight

The Parkway-Rockwood Regional College Fair is coming to Queeny Park tonight. Over 90 institutions will be present, including colleges, military branches, and trade schools. Pre-registration is available online, allowing for a more efficient experience on the day. A list of participating organizations is also available here.

Rockwood

📺 Lafayette High Featured on KSDK News

KSDK's Tailgate Friday segment spotlighted Lafayette High School last week. Students from multiple extracurricular groups demonstrated their skills in the studio. The school's band director and other faculty members contributed to the segment, providing viewers with information about LHS activities.

City Highlights

Creve Coeur

🚔 Police Car Filled in Food Drive Success

The Creve Coeur Police Department's recent two-week food drive met its ambitious goal. Residents donated enough canned goods to fill an entire police car. This successful community effort will directly benefit the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry, providing much-needed supplies for local families in need.

Des Peres

🏓 Des Peres Hosting Pickleball Social Event

Des Peres is organizing a Pickleball Social Round Robin coming up on September 21st. The event begins with check-in at 5pm, followed by match play from 6-9pm. Participants will then have the option to continue with social play until 10pm. Learn more / register here.

Ellisville

🩸 Ellisville Park Hosting Blood Drive Wednesday

On September 11th, the city of Ellisville is partnering with the Red Cross for a blood drive. The event will runs from 1 to 5pm and offers a way for locals to contribute to public health.

Manchester

🇺🇸 Manchester Hosting Expanded 9/11 Tribute

This week, Stoecker Park transforms into a moving tribute site. Manchester’s annual Flags of Valor event will run through September 15th with a display that pays homage to the First Responders who made the ultimate sacrifice on September 11, 2001.

Town & Country

🚦 New Signal at Clayton-Mason Intersection

The Clayton and Mason Roads intersection in Town and Country has received a major upgrade. A new traffic signal and curb ramps have been installed to enhance safety and traffic management. St. Louis County is currently still working on perfecting the signal's timing. Residents are encouraged to provide feedback on any issues they observe via phone or email: 314-615-8504 or email [email protected]

🏃 Mason Ridge 5K & Fun Run This Saturday

Mason Ridge Elementary School is hosting its 5th Annual Fun Run & 5K Run/Walk this Saturday. The event features a timed fun run for Pre-K to 5th graders and a 5K for all ages. The 5K course winds through Longview Farm Park. Registration is still open online here.

Wildwood

📰 Wildwood Releases Fall City Gazette

The City of Wildwood has published its latest Gazette for the fall. This seasonal update includes a message from the Mayor, details on community events, and insights into ongoing city projects. The Gazette can be accessed online here.

🗞️ West Mag's Guide to Celebrate Wildwood

West Newsmagazine has compiled a helpful guide for Celebrate Wildwood that is now less than two weeks away. The article covers essential information such as parking locations, event schedules, what to bring, and more.

Valley Park

🔬 VP Elementary Launches New STEM Program

A new STEM program at Valley Park Elementary is giving K-5 students the opportunity to explore science, technology, engineering, and math in an integrated way. The curriculum aims to foster 21st-century skills crucial for future success. Students are already tackling challenging projects, like building towers with unconventional materials, within time constraints.

Upcoming Events

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

📆 Next 7 Days

THANKS!

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