Maplewood Mayor Barry Greenberg running for re-election

By |

Maplewood Mayor Barry Greenberg is running for a second term in the April 6 elections, facing off against MRH School Board member, Nikylan Knapper. Greenberg has information about his candidacy on his campaign website, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Greenberg listed his qualifications to be mayor of Maplewood on Instagram, mayorbarrygreenberg:
MY 8 MAYORAL QUALIFICATIONS! I have decades of experience serving as a leader in the Maplewood community in different capacities. Below is a list of what I would consider my most important qualifications for being mayor as well as some quick personal thoughts on each qualification (just below).

Vandal breaks Mauhaus Cat Cafe window media reports

By |

A vandal broke a window in the front of Mauhaus Cat Cafe on Wednesday. No cats were harmed in the breaking of the window, Mauhaus reported. Also, donations came in to more than cover the costs from the damage, they said on Facebook. https://twitter.com/MAUHAUScafe/status/1364636119384621056?s=20

Fox 2 — Vandal caught on camera smashing a Maplewood business’ windows

KMOV — Vandal uses snow shovel to bust window at Maplewood cat cafe

KSDK — Vandal damages Mauhaus cat cafe in Maplewood

Riverfront Times — Shovel Smashed into Mauhaus Cat Café Storefront in Maplewood

Alex Garcia leaves United Church of Christ Church after 3-plus years in sanctuary

By |

According to multiple reports, Honduran immigrant Alex Garcia walked out the door of United Church of Christ in Maplewood on Wednesday, no longer afraid to be immediately deported. A change in immigration policy under President Biden made it possible. https://twitter.com/stlpublicradio/status/1364737206829649921?s=20

Alex Garcia, Richmond Heights firefighters, more in the news

By |

In the news: Rep. Cori Bush introduces legislation to give residency to Alex Garcia, Richmond Heights firefighters help with vaccination effort. Fox 2 — COVID vaccination effort in St. Louis County expands with firefighters help
KMOV — Rep. Bush’s newest legislation aims to help man in sanctuary at Maplewood church
Ladue News — Neighborhoods Near You: Top Picks in Richmond Heights
Ladue News — Neighborhoods Near You: Top Picks in Maplewood  
nextstl.com — Groth Guide to Ellendale
nextstl.com — February Construction Photo Roundup
Riverfront Times — For The Garcia Family, a Filmmaker Returns Home to St. Louis
Riverfront Times — St. Louis County Partnering With Fire Departments to Get Vaccines to Long-Term Care Residents
STL Jewish Light — Lifetime of love: As 75th anniversary nears, couple reflects on long, happy marriage
St.

Maplewood chief of police announces retirement

By |

The city of Maplewood announced on Feb. 5 that Maplewood Police Chief Stephen M. Kruse announced his retirement, to be effective April 1, 2021. Chief Kruse has been in law enforcement for over forty-five years, serving as police chief for the city of Maplewood the last 12 years. Kruse joined the Maplewood Police Department in 2009 and previously served as chief of police in Florissant and Shrewsbury. Much of his career was spent with the Florissant Police Department where he quickly rose through the ranks.

Sweet Tooth Bakery now open in Maplewood

By |

Sweet Tooth Bakery at 7326 Manchester has opened, currently offering chocolate covered strawberries, chocolate covered turtles and turtle brownies. The hours are Monday-Saturday 10 am-6 pm and Sunday noon-5 pm. Photos below are from the Sweet Tooth Bakery Facebook page.

Brentwood resident, St. Louis County Board of Elections employee, highlighted

By |

St. Louis County Board of Elections honored supervisor, and Brentwood resident Toni Bowman on Facebook Friday, reporting how she made a plan for COVID-positive voters to cast their votes in November. From the St. Louis County Board of Elections Facebook page:

As the Republican Supervisor of the Absentee Department, Toni Bowman is no stranger to adapting to change! During the November 2020 election, she had to quickly pull together a plan to allow COVID-positive voters to cast their votes from their home or the hospital.

Maplewood Steak ‘n Shake is no more: what should go there now?

By |

The Maplewood Steak ‘n Shake was reduced to a pile of rubble by Friday. The restaurant closed in January 2019, posting remodeling signs. Employees were dismissed with little warning. See also: Steak ‘n Shake closed for remodeling, Maplewood Steak ‘n Shake employees in the dark, without jobs, Maplewood Steak ‘n Shake, built in 1974, removes signs, awnings

The 1.1 acre site is for lease. What should take its place?

New home at Flora and Sutton is a 2-story frame

By |

The City of Maplewood has supplied the elevation views of the two-story frame house under construction at the corner of Sutton Boulevard and Flora Avenue. The former house, also the office of Maplewood Richmond Heights Family Dentistry, burned down in 2012. Front and right side elevations PDF

Rear and left side elevations PDF

 

See also: Maplewood History: 7396 Flora Avenue

 

Rachel Goltzman: MRH School Board candidate

By |

Richmond Heights resident Rachel Goltzman has announced she is running for the Maplewood Richmond Heights School Board. She is currently one of three running for two open seats. Amber Withycombe has also filed, and incumbent Ralph Posley has filed for reelection; incumbent Wesley Robb has not. The filing period expires at the end of the business day on January 19. Rachel Goltzman’s statement:
My name is Rachel Goltzman.  I have been a lifelong Missouri resident and a Richmond Heights resident since 2001.  I have been married to Paul Swier for 18 years; we have two children.  Both of our children have been enrolled in the MRH School District since preschool; currently, we have a middle school student (Jacob) and a high school student (Amelia).

Maplewood council and police may not agree on Blue Lives Matter reference

By |

The Maplewood Police Officers Association (MPOA) said on its Facebook page that its members are “deeply hurt and saddened” that Maplewood Mayor Barry Greenberg and the council may take a position that they don’t necessarily condone references to Blue Lives Matter on the group’s Facebook page. The Blue Lives Matter flag, with the blue line, is at the top of its Facebook page. At least one resident in the (Zoom) Jan. 12 meeting, objected to the flag. Greenberg said he found online that the Blue Lives Matter flag can be tied to a right-wing political agenda.

Saint Louis Closet Co. donates over $3,000 to Toys for Tots; gives to new charity each month

By |

According to a press release, Saint Louis Closet Co. is donating $3,022 to the St. Louis Area Toys for Tots through their giveback initiative, Closets for a Cause. The designer, manufacturer, and installer of custom closets and organizational systems’ donation will support the nonprofit in providing toys, books, and other gifts to less fortunate children. This amount is a direct result of a percentage of gross sales made throughout December 2020.

MRH School District: new superintendent of schools named

By |

The Maplewood Richmond Heights School District announced Wednesday that Bonita E. Jamison, Ed.D, will become the next permanent superintendent of schools. Dr. Jamison comes to MRH from the Ferguson-Florissant School District, where she currently serves as the Executive Director of Integrated Supports and Accelerated Learning. She brings with her more than 19 years of experience in urban, suburban and charter school districts. Her first official day at the helm of MRH will be July 1, 2021. The MRH Board of Education is planning multiple public opportunities to engage with Dr. Jamison in the coming months.

MRH seeks info to help provide meals for non-MRH students

By |

The Maplewood Richmond Heights School District is committed to serving nourishing, quality meals to ALL children, including non-MRH students, 18 and under during the school year, according to a representative. The school district is currently gathering information to help prepare for an upcoming change in meal distribution. The goal is to provide a separate meal distribution time specifically for families that are not participating in the MRH on-campus learning. This includes, but is not limited to, MRH semester-long virtual learning students, families with preschool children, and siblings that do not attend MRH. Please visit https://forms.gle/vL7VozFWxGMwvJ5z6 and complete the short form to shape the process.

New candidate announces run for MRH Board of Education

By |

Amber Withycombe, a parent of two Maplewood Richmond Heights students, and Director of Institutional Giving for the Saint Louis Art Museum, has announced she is running for the MRH Board of Education. She provided this statement about her candidacy for the Board of Education. Richmond Heights resident Rachel Goltzman is also running, and incumbent Ralph Posey has also filed. Amber Withycombe’s statement:
Dear neighbors,

I am excited to announce my candidacy for the Maplewood Richmond Heights Board of Education in the April 6 election. Our school district plays a central role in the vitality, stability, and diversity of our community.

Commercial building renovations taking place in Maplewood

By |

Renovation work is taking place at two commercial buildings in Maplewood, on Manchester Road and S. Big Bend Boulevard. Cool Stuff moved out of 2301 S. Big Bend Boulevard in October, buying their own building in the the 5700 block of Manchester Road. They’re now doing business as Cool Stuff Period. According to the city of Maplewood, Smart Rentals property management is renovating the building for their use. The former Nix & Associates building in the 7200 block of Manchester road is undergoing masonry repairs to the east and south sides of the building.

In the news: MRH graduate obituaries

By |

Two graduates of Maplewood Richmond Heights died recently, among other news of the area. Arkansas Democrat Gazette — Frances Irene Cypert (obituary, MRH graduate)
Boca Beacon — Dorcas Amos (obituary, MRH graduate)
KMOV — WATCH: Sweet moment between Richmond Heights boy and sanitation worker
St. Louis Post-Dispatch — Man shot by Maplewood store clerk indicted on federal armed robbery charges
St. Louis Post-Dispatch — 2020: A year to remember in photos by David Carson
St. Louis Post-Dispatch — Messenger: An email string offers new light on criticism of St.

Reports: Maplewood store clerk shoots would-be robber

By |

A clerk at Boost Mobile in Maplewood, at 7222 Manchester Road, shot a would-be robber at about 6:15 p.m. Wednesday, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and other sources have reported. The robbery suspect, Malik Dorsey, 21, from north St. Louis County, survived the shooting, Maplewood police Chief Steve Kruse told the Post-Dispatch. Alton Telegraph — Store clerk shoots robbery suspect in Maplewood

Associated Press — Store clerk shoots robbery suspect in Maplewood

FOX 2 — Maplewood Boost Mobile clerk shoots attempted armed robbery suspect

KMOV — Would-be-robber shot inside Maplewood business was wearing ankle monitor from previous robbery

St.

Work begins on new house at Flora and Sutton, plus a mystery

By |

Work has begun on a new home at Sutton Boulevard and Flora Avenue on the  corner of the house with burned down in 2012. The Maplewood Design and Review Board reviewed two conceptual ideas at the May 14, 2020 Maplewood Design and Review meeting. Owners of the lot, Dhruv Kar and Ritika Sahai-Kar submitted the drawings. See the meeting notes here: D&R staff report. See also: Maplewood History: 7396 Flora Avenue

And there’s a mystery: a grave marker is stuck in the dirt at the construction site — “Buster – The Best Dog.”

Reported: Richmond Heights tenants uprooted in rehab

By |

St. Louis Post-Dispatch writer Bill McClellan, and the publication, STL Reporter have reported on an apartment building in Richmond Heights, 7703 Wise Avenue, that had a change of ownership, affecting the tenants in the process. They report that no permit from the city was applied for when work to rehab a vacated unit had begun. Also that the construction company began the work without an asbestos inspection, then the company’s inspector wasn’t certified, then a following inspector found no asbestos. A tenant then took samples to the county health department from her apartment which were found to contain asbestos.