40 South News (http://40southnews.com/author/douglashminer/)
Demolition of the former convent on the grounds of SSM Health is underway, to make way for a surface parking lot due to be completed in 2020. The convent has been closed for eight years. All religious relics and stained glass were previously moved out of the building, City Manager Amy Hamilton said after a Richmond Heights City Council meeting in February. Read more: Surface parking planned for SSM Health convent site
Bi-State is rerouting and renaming a bus route, which will affect riders in Brentwood, Maplewood and Richmond Heights. From Bi-State Metro: Changes: Renamed, formerly the #59 Dogtown, will operate between Big Bend at Clayton and Central West End Transit Center. Will no longer serve Brentwood I-64 Station, Maplewood Commons, Dale, Kraft or other areas south of Clayton Road. Richmond Heights City Manager Amy Hamilton noted the change on Twitter. https://twitter.com/amyhami/status/1164155330697322498?s=20
Club Fitness invested $3.0 million in the new 40,000 square foot facility recently opened in the Deer Creek Shopping Center, according to the company. Eric Schreimann, Club Fitness CEO, cut the ribbon for the Mid County Chamber of Commerce. From Club Fitness: The club features a Pulse Studio (vitural and coach training), a women-only training studio, a cardio theater, a burn zone studio, and a cycle studio. Amenities include a free kids club, a recovering zone with tanning and hydro massage lounges and a smoothie bar.
A 1970 Maplewood Richmond Heights grad who went on to a decades-long acting career died last week. A Club Fitness has opened in Maplewood. Fox 2 — Metro East business owner recognizes suspect seen stealing from Richmond Heights nursery
KMOV — Water main break temporarily closes Richmond Heights road
KSDK — Celebrate the Grand Opening of the 24th Club Fitness location
Laredo Morning Times — Police news for Saturday, Aug. 17
St. Louis American — Beloved St.
Linda Alton Randall Kennedy, of Richmond Heights, died Friday, August 16, 2019, at age 68, according to several sources. 40 South News reader and Maplewood Richmond Heights classmate (1970) Lynn Kretchmar Goode said in an email to 40 South that Kennedy spent about four decades as a dedicated local shining star in St. Louis theater and dance, mostly with the The Black Rep in St. Louis. The St.
Some large trees were recently removed from the front of Brentwood High School, though some alumni had tried hard to save them. After 40 South published comments by one of those alumni, the school district responded to a previous request for information on the project. Sam Rayburn, director of communications, said in an email that the primary reason behind the changes to the front lawn and parking area is to make the building ADA accessible. The front entrance and parking lot were not accessible before the construction. See also: Driveway and parking plan claims trees in front of BHS
Also, the changes to the front lawn will allow new entryways that “meet modern safety and security standards,” Rayburn said.
Maplewood city council on Tuesday took the Maplewood Richmond Heights School District’s request to rezone a house on Laclede Station Road a step closer to completion. The district wants to use the house, at the corner of Laclede Station and Burgess Avenue, for its Discover Zone, a popular after-school program. In a meeting one school board member described later as lively, with many resident comments, city officials voted 7-0 to rezone the house (2812 Laclede Station Road) for the school district’s use. The final vote will be taken at the next council meeting. Plan and zoning voted 5-1 last week to recommend rezoning to the council.
The website Niche released its 2020 school rankings, and Brentwood and Maplewood Richmond Heights high schools are side by side, with BHS having the advantage. DSJ Now — Class reunion scheduled (MRH Class of 1979)
Hotel Business — Marriott Expands Family of Brands in the Heartland
Niche — 2020 Best School Districts in Missouri (Brentwood 13th, MRH 14th)
St. Louis Post-Dispatch — Man killed in Rock Hill homicide was former head of Boys Hope Girls Hope in Richmond Heights
St. Louis Post-Dispatch — No pension for Stenger, after St. Louis County Council changes ordinance
The Call — Clancy, Page [to] hold 5th District town hall (Town hall and open forum for 5th District constituents from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug.
Construction is underway at Brentwood High School and Middle School following the passage of the school district’s Proposition B last year to update the buildings. In preparation for a roadway and parking lot in front of the high school several large trees were removed in July. In conversations with Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian Lane, BHS alumnus Barry Williams said he and others tried to have the trees saved. He said they were “stunned and saddened” to see them removed. “For decades the BHS front lawn was a green and welcoming place,” Williams said.
Maplewood Planning and Zoning on Monday considered a request by Maplewood Richmond Heights School District to rezone a residence near the ECC (2812 Laclede Station Road) from Single Family to Public Activity, to use as a before- and after-school care facility. About a dozen residents showed up, some to oppose the rezoning, citing ongoing traffic problems on the small streets around the entrance to the ECC; and a fewer number who supported the program, in spite of the traffic issues. See also: Maplewood officials advance rezoning for house’s use as MRH after-school care
The residents’ comments and the committee’s responses took up the first hour of the meeting. Tommas Ledbetter, who lives near the entrance to the ECC, on Burgess Avenue, said she’s recorded 65 cars in 20 minutes, and 200 in a day going down the street. She said parents don’t use the new parking lot (constructed since the passage of Prop K) because they don’t want to get caught in the crush, and parking on Burgess gets them closer to the entrance.
In the news this week: MRH golfer Kal Kolar competes in an American Junior Golf Association competition; police searching for carjacking supect. eMissourian — Henson Takes Second, Unnerstall Ties for Third At AJGA Tournament (Kal Kolar of MRH competed)
Fox 2 — Maplewood Aldi carjackers steal woman’s vehicle in broad daylight
KMOV — WATCH: Surveillance video shows serial plant thief striking again, police say
KMOV — Suspect in custody after carjacking woman at gunpoint in Maplewood, police say
KDSK — Missouri tax-free weekend returns this weekend (Brentwood, Maplewood, Richmond Heights opt out)
KSDK — Police search for suspects in University City after carjacking at Maplewood Aldi
Richmond Heights Fire Department announced on Facebook that a Richmond Heights firefighter was married in the firehouse. From Richmond Heights Fire Department Facebook: “A first for the Richmond Heights Fire Department, Wesley Richards who started with us August of 2017 and his girlfriend Melissa decided to get married today. They wanted to hold their nuptials at the firehouse. Congratulations to Wes and Melissa. Welcome to the RHFD family Melissa!!”
An Illinois woman ‘shopped’ for plants in off-hours at a Richmond Heights nursery. A Maplewood baker, brewer and ice cream shop got some great mentions in the area, and national press. Feast — 2019 Feast 50 Awards: St. Louis
Fox 2 — Green-thumbed thief landscapes home with plants stolen from Richmond Heights business
Hospitality Net — Courtyard Hotel To Open In Richmond Heights, Missouri
KSDK — Club fitness just opened its newest gym in Maplewood, Missouri
Today — These are the absolute best ice cream shops in America
Family Video at Deer Creek, at at 3515 S. Big Bend Boulevard, is closing soon, a source has told 40 South (and independently confirmed). The last day the store will rent movies is Sunday, July 28. The store will remain open in August for sales only, no rentals. According to one staff member the location will become a dentist office. Other area Family Videos have begun selling CBD (cannabis-based) products, according to the Riverfront Times.
It’s come to our attention that Appliance Discounters has opened a location at Deer Creek. They carry brands for all budgets, according to their Facebook page.From Facebook:
We carry brands for all budgets, including, Smeg, BlueStar, Electrolux, Frigidaire, GE, Cafe, Big Chill, GE Monogram, Thermador, Bosch, Danby, Samsung, LG, Aga, Scotsman, Fisher & Paykel, just to name a few. We carry “in box” and “out of box” new appliances at a much lower price than any competitor around town! By purchasing direct and by the truckload, we receive deep discounts from our manufacturers, so that we can pass the savings onto you, our loyal customers! For your total convenience, if you ever need an appliance repaired, we are a factory-authorized servicer, as well.
Lessons for piano and guitar are coming to a space on Sutton Boulevard north of Hazel Avenue. Shock City School of Music is coming to 2743 Sutton. The location was formerly part of a pinball arcade. Nextdoor, on the corner of Sutton and Hazel, Oliver, a coffee shop and ‘flower bar’ plans to open. (Previously reported in March 2019.)
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch has reported that U.S. Rep. William Lacy Clay has introduced legislation that could free Alex Garcia, a Honduran refugee living in sanctuary at United Church of Christ in Maplewood since 2017. If passed, the bill would change Honduran refugee Alex Garcia’s immigration status to permanent legal resident of the U.S., Clay said. Fox 2 — Catholic priests group meets with Poplar Bluff man fearing deportation
KMOV — St. Louis baby born 7/11 weighing 7 lbs., 11 oz.
Maplewood’s longtime city manager, Marty Corcoran, has agreed to stay on until a new city manager is hired, Maplewood Mayor Barry Greenberg said Thursday. Corcoran’s last day on the job was scheduled to be July 14 but Greenberg said they’re still interviewing candidates for the position, and that a decision should be made within the next two weeks.
The St. Louis ice cream shop, Clementine’s Creamery, plans to open a new location in Maplewood. It was confirmed to 40 South through Instagram. The planned location is the now vacant space on the southeast corner of Manchester Road and Sutton Boulevard. The space is part of what was previously The Live Juke Joint Dueling Piano Bar.
Maplewood resident Alice Hezel went to a town hall meeting hosted by St. Louis County Assessor Jake Zimmerman in June for residents who might have felt their recent reassessment was too high. Many had an increase of more than one hundred percent. See the St. Louis Post-Dispatch post on the issue.