⚡️ Plane Lands Safely, Adopt-a-Highway Program Ends

👋 Good Morning, West County!

In today’s ⚡️ West County Pulse newsletter:

  • 🛬 Emergency Plane Landing

  • 🛣️ Adopt-a-Highway Ends

  • 🌸 Mood-Boosting Spa Opening Soon

Let’s jump into today’s newsletter!

Jared Michel

THE DIGEST

🛬 Hydraulic Issues Force Plane Down in Chesterfield

An aircraft made an emergency landing at the Spirit of St. Louis Airport in Chesterfield on Monday, due to hydraulic problems and collapsing aircraft gear. Two people on board safely evacuated the aircraft, and no injuries have been reported. The airport was closed until further notice while authorities investigated the incident.

🪧 Adopt-a-Highway Program Hits End of the Road

MoDOT is phasing out its Adopt-a-Highway program after 36 years, citing high costs and safety concerns. The program, which allowed volunteers to dedicate signs to loved ones and clean up roadways, will be replaced by a new "Keeping Missouri Beautiful" initiative focusing on one-time community clean-up events. Existing adoption agreements will continue until they expire, and adopters can arrange to pick up their signs as keepsakes.

🌿 Tiny Mites Thrive in St. Louis' Brushy Areas

Chigger mites are causing painful, itchy bites for many St. Louis residents this summer. The Missouri Department of Conservation believes recent warm temperatures and rain have created ideal conditions for chiggers to thrive. While the department doesn't track chigger populations, conservationists suggest wearing tightly woven clothing, using insect repellent, and bathing soon after exposure to protect against bites.

🧠 Strengthen Your Mind with Interactive Memory Kits

The St. Louis County Library is now offering Memory Kits, which include books and activities focused on specific topics to help strengthen recall skills and overall brain health. Each kit can be borrowed for 21 days. Learn more about the new program here.

BUSINESS

🌸 Ellisville Welcomes Mood-Boosting Spa

Ellisville is soon to be home to the newest location of Woodhouse Spa. The spa will offer a meticulously crafted experience designed to help guests curate and care for their chosen mood. From luxurious treatments to thoughtful details like reflexology sandals, Woodhouse Spa promises a customized and indulgent escape for those seeking relaxation and rejuvenation.

❄️ Maryland Heights Takes Over Troubled Ice Rink

The city of Maryland Heights has terminated its agreement with the St. Louis Legacy Ice Foundation, a Blues-affiliated nonprofit that managed the Centene Community Ice Center. The city will now have greater oversight of the facility, which has faced financial difficulties in recent months. In the meantime, the Blues will continue to use the ice center as their practice facility under their existing 30-year lease agreement.

CITY HIGHLIGHTS

Ballwin

🚧 North Pointe Leisure Pool Closed for Repairs

The leisure pool at North Pointe is currently closed for emergency repairs that started Sunday night around 4:30pm. The repairs may take up to a week to complete, requiring the pool to be drained. Despite the closure, visitors can still enjoy the Kiddie Pool, Lazy River, Competition Pool, Slides, and Splash Pad at North Pointe.

Chesterfield

🐴 Pony Rides & Petting Zoo at Chesterfield 4th

The Chesterfield Parks, Recreation & Arts Department will be hosting a free 4th of July celebration at the Chesterfield Valley Athletic Complex. The festivities kick off at 6:30 p.m. with live music from FatPocket, food trucks, pony rides, a petting zoo, inflatables, and a performance by Circus Kaput. The night will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display at 9pm. Learn more here.

Creve Coeur

🎉 Creve Coeur Gears Up For 75th Anniversary Bash

Creve Coeur is preparing to celebrate its 75th anniversary with a special event at the newly reopened Millennium Park on August 8. The celebration will feature the band Rock Opera and collaboration with the Creve Coeur-Olivette Chamber of Commerce. The chamber is considering sponsoring additional activities, such as yard games and kids' entertainment, to make the event even more festive.

Eureka

⚾ Eureka Hits a Home Run with Field Renovations

The city of Eureka has recently unveiled its newly renovated baseball and softball fields, much to the delight of local sports enthusiasts. To highlight the new fields, the city has released a video showcasing the upgraded Legion and Lions fields, highlighting the improved playing experience for Eureka's young athletes.

👶 Eureka Wants Your Input on Tot Activities

Eureka Parks and Recreation is celebrating the success of their first summer of tot programs for ages 6 months to 5 years. To continue improving their offerings, they are seeking feedback from parents and caregivers. The department has created a quick online survey to gather input on what families are looking for in future tot programs. Your responses will help Eureka Parks and Recreation best serve the community's youngest residents. Submit feedback here.

Manchester

♻️ Manchester's Green Goal: 1,000 lbs of Plastic

The city of Manchester has relaunched its Plastic Bag Recycling Challenge, aiming to collect 1,000 pounds of plastic bags and other recyclable plastic materials by January 1, 2025. If the goal is reached, Manchester will receive a new bench made from recycled plastic courtesy of Trex. Residents can drop off their recyclable plastic items at City Hall, the Justice Center, or the Parks Building.

🚧 Fiber Optic Work Underway in Manchester

The City of Manchester has announced that work is underway to install fiber optic cables underground in various areas of the city. This project aims to provide faster internet service to Manchester's residents and businesses. If you have any questions about the ongoing work, residents are directed to contact the Public Works Department at 636-227-1385, extension 104.

Town & Country

🚫 Mysterious Closure at T&C Post Office

The Town and Country post office has been unexpectedly closed due to undisclosed "environmental concerns." A guard is stationed at the entrance, and the building is shut down. The USPS has suspended operations out of caution but hasn't provided details on the circumstances or how residents can get their mail in the meantime. The city also put out a press release on the matter that doesn’t really provide any explanation.

🚦 Mason & Clayton Signal Gets a Timing Tune-Up

The City of Town and Country has reported that the traffic signal at the intersection of Mason and Clayton, maintained by St. Louis County, was experiencing some timing issues. As of yesterday, the County has adjusted the signal's timing to allow more vehicles to pass through during green lights. Residents are encouraged to inform the City or submit a road request form to St. Louis County here if they notice any further issues with the traffic signal at this intersection.

🏡 Planning Board: Homes Too Dense for 'Country'

McBride Homes has proposed building 68 single-family homes and a restaurant in place of the near-vacant Woods Mill Center strip mall in Town and Country. However, the city's Planning and Zoning Commission voted against recommending the project, citing concerns that the housing density would spoil the suburb's "country" character. McBride has revised its proposal multiple times to address these concerns, but the development would still be the highest density residential project in the affluent suburb if approved. Read more here.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Discover more events on our event calendar: westcounty.events. Also….don’t see an event you know of? Let me know by replying to this email!

  • Tomorrow:

    • Millenium Park Grand Reopening + Summer Concert from 6pm to 8:30pm. Info here.

    • Ellisville Concert @ Bluebird Park @ 7pm. Info here.

  • Friday:

    • Eureka Concert on Central from 6pm to 10pm. Info here.

Next Week

  • Tuesday June 18:

    • Chesterfield Chamber Summer Concert @ Faust Park @ 7pm. Info here. 

  • Wednesday June 19:

    • Ballwin Summer Concert: Saint Chuck @ New Ballwin Park from 7pm to 9pm. Info here.

  • Thursday June 20:

    • Ellisville Concert: Trilogy Band @ Bluebird Park from 7pm to 9pm. Info here.

  • Friday June 21:

    • Wildwood Music on Main: Fat Pocket from 6:45pm to 9:15pm. Info here.

    • Town & Country Concert: Zero to 90 @ Town & Country Town Center from 7pm to 9pm. Info here.

  • Saturday June 22:

    • Chesterfield’s Sounds of Summer: Pyromaniacs @ the Chesterfield Amphitheater starting at 6pm. Info here.

THANKS!

Thanks for reading this edition of the ⚡️ West County Pulse newsletter. If you found something useful, please share it with a friend!

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