👋 Good Morning, West County!

In today’s ⚡️West County Pulse newsletter:

🏪 A Change to School Zone Tobacco Sales
🐺 Coyote Season Soon Approaching
🛒 Schnucks Smart Cart Program is Expanding

Let’s jump into today’s newsletter!

— Jared Michel

Top Stories

🏪 Council Rules on School Zone Tobacco Sales

St. Louis County Council made a significant decision about tobacco sales near schools this week. The Council overrode Executive Sam Page's veto, allowing existing stores to transfer their tobacco licenses when selling their businesses. While new shops can't get licenses within 1,000 feet of schools, current sellers can maintain their rights.

🌙 Coyote Sightings Expected to Increase

Local wildlife officials are preparing area residents for increased coyote activity in the coming months. The Missouri Department of Conservation reports coyote sightings will likely increase across the area during February and March's breeding season. While these adaptable animals pose no threat to humans, conservation experts recommend securing trash, pet food, and bird seed. The MDC has a dedicated Coyote Control part of their website here where you can learn more.

🚛 MoDOT's Pay Battle Left Streets Unplowed

Last week's winter storm put MoDOT's staffing crisis in the spotlight. As snow blanketed area roads, the agency struggled with severe worker shortages stemming from a three-year legal battle over pay increases. Of 300 emergency snow removal workers on call, only about 100 typically show up to help clear major roads. Read more about the dispute fallout here.

Business

🤖 Schnucks Expands High-Tech Shopping Helper

Twin Oaks shoppers are leading the charge in testing Schnucks' new AI-powered Caper Carts, which scan groceries as customers shop. The smart carts have proven so successful that Schnucks is expanding the program to five more locations by March. These high-tech helpers eliminate checkout lines and even flash digital coupons while you shop.

🏋️ New Gym Muscling Into Manchester

A St. Louis native is planning to bring his fitness empire back home. Crunch Fitness is opening three new locations in the region, including a spot at Manchester Highlands. The 45,000-square-foot facilities will feature everything from indoor turf training areas to HydroMassage beds and childcare services.

🏗️ MO Snags $16M Chesterfield Office Space

The Missouri state government purchased Timberlake Corporate Center I in Chesterfield for $16.25 million last month. The five-story building along Highway 40 will become the new workplace for 600 state employees currently based downtown, with the move scheduled to begin this spring.

🏊 Wildwood Y Opens Swim Registration

The Chesterfield and Wildwood YMCAs are now accepting member registrations for spring swimming lessons. The program includes classes for beginners through advanced swimmers, with instruction available for all age groups. Space in each class is limited to ensure proper instruction and safety standards.

School District Highlights

🎯 Parkway Recaps 24 Top Moments

Parkway Schools released their top 24 moments of 2024, showcasing a remarkable year of student and staff achievements. The compilation features everything from Olympic athletes to perfect ACT scores, highlighting how the district's community made waves both locally and nationally. Eight students achieving perfect ACT scores and a Julliard acceptance topped the academic achievements.

🏆 Marquette Paper Named Crown Finalist

Rockwood’s Marquette High School student newspaper has achieved significant recognition in scholastic journalism. The Messenger is among 68 high school publications nationwide chosen as finalists for the Columbia Scholastic Press Association Crown Award, the organization's highest honor. Winners will be announced at Columbia University in March.

🎒 Rockwood Opens K Registration

Rockwood is now accepting kindergarten registrations for the 2025-2026 school year. Parents can complete the registration process online through the district's website. School officials are requesting early registration to accurately plan for classroom sizes. Children must be 5 years old before August 1, 2025, to be eligible.

Chesterfield

⚾ CVAC Builds 16 New Practice Areas

The Chesterfield Valley Athletic Complex is improving player safety with significant field upgrades. Construction will begin on 16 new enclosed bullpens and eight pitching mounds across eight fields. The $560,000 project, approved by the City Council, will create dedicated warm-up spaces next to each dugout for baseball and softball players.

Manchester

🗣️ Manchester Wants Your Two Cents

Manchester city officials are making it easier for residents to share their thoughts. Through a new online form (available here), citizens can submit compliments, suggestions, or concerns directly to city leadership. The streamlined process aims to improve city services and strengthen community engagement.

🎨 Historic Lyceum Getting Artistic Makeover

Manchester's historic Lyceum building is entering its next chapter as city officials reimagine the City Hall space as a multimedia art center. The community will be able to explore the renovated facility during an Open House event on Saturday, March 29th. The transformation aims to bring new creative energy to this iconic Manchester landmark.

Wildwood

🦌 Wildwood Expanding Deer Management

Wildwood's annual deer management program launched yesterday (January 15th) in partnership with White Buffalo, Inc. The city plans to remove up to 355 deer over the next 34 days, an increase from the 300 deer culled in 2024. About 30 properties were selected for the program after careful evaluation of more than 200 interested residents.

🌟 New City Program Connecting Residents

The City of Wildwood has introduced a new community program for 2025. The 30-By-30 Challenge invites residents to participate in 30 different local activities throughout the year, including visits to hiking trails and the farmers market. Participants can share photos using #WildwoodMO to enter prize drawings.

Upcoming Events

THANKS!

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