Water main break slows morning commute

By |

A water main break at S. Big Bend Boulevard and Manchester Road blocked lanes early Thursday morning as American Water worked to fix it. Maplewood Police said to expect delays in the morning commute. However by 7 a.m. it appeared to be repaired, and a wet road was the only evidence. Photos via Maplewood Police on Facebook.

Council member pulls out of race; city manager to step down in July

By |

Maplewood council member Tim Dunn said after last night’s council meeting he decided last month to pull out of running for the Ward 2 seat he’s held for 25 years. He said he’s always wanted diversity in the council, so, “why am I running against a woman?” He also mentioned wanting to spend more time with his family. That leaves Eleanor Pardini now running unopposed for the Ward 2 seat. See also: Maplewood candidates talk in living room gathering

Also, council members are now receiving resumes for the city manager job, replacing Marty Corcoran who recently announced his retirement.

Maplewood officials consider, then table, request for valet parking

By |

Maplewood officials Tuesday night considered Elmwood restaurant’s requests for valet parking spots outside the restaurant on Sutton Boulevard for the second time. Council members, a nearby business owner and an owner of the restaurant discussed it. The restaurant originally asked for four spots on the east side of Sutton Boulevard and at the last meeting the council reduced that to two. On Tuesday officials considered a variation of that: two spots on the east side (Monday – Saturday, 5 p.m. – 1 a.m.) and two on the west side (Monday – Saturday, loading zone 6 a.m. – 5 p.m., then valet 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.). City Manager Marty Corcoran said Tiffany’s Diner and Traveling Tea had asked for the loading zone.

Nurse was carjacking victim in Richmond Heights

By |

Richmond Heights Police reported in a press release that a nurse at St. Mary’s Hospital was the victim of a carjacking Tuesday evening. She was not injured. The press release:
At about 7:40pm Richmond Heights officers were dispatched to a carjacking on the parking lot off the east side of Bellevue just south of Clayton Rd. The female victim, a nurse at St.

West Community Credit Union to move into new building over weekend

By |

The Brentwood branch of West Community Credit Union will be closed on Saturday, February 16 and Monday, February 18 (Presidents’ Day) in order to move into the new building, right behind the old one. ATMs will also be unavailable during that time. Click here for a list of other branch locations or co-op ATMs near you. See also: West Community Credit Union president agrees to save shade trees

Sinkhole swallows delivery truck tire

By |

An Apsopure delivery truck was stopped in its tracks Monday by a sinkhole that opened up on Ridgetop Drive in Richmond Heights. Photos via Richmond Heights Police on Facebook. sd

Big Bend resurfacing coming this year

By |

The City of Richmond Heights has received the plans for the St. Louis County Big Bend Boulevard resurfacing project, from Delmar Boulevard in University City to Manchester Road in Maplewood. The city announced the plan details on its website. The work is due to start in February 2019 and run through December 2019 with asphalt resurfacing taking place in the fall. The project through Richmond Heights will have new ADA ramps at each intersection, new curbs and sidewalks where needed, signal upgrades and a complete asphalt overlay.

Maplewood candidates talk in living room gathering

By |

Four candidates running for posts in the April 2 municipal elections in Maplewood spoke to a gathering hosted in a Maplewood home on Myrtle Avenue Sunday evening. About two dozen came to hear city council candidates: Jennifer Schmidt (Ward 3, incumbent) and Eleanor Pardini (Ward 2), and Maplewood Richmond Heights School Board candidates: Brandi Herndon-Miller (incumbent) and Nikylan Knapper. See a video of comments all four made on the Maplewood Community Builders Facebook page. Also, see Nikylan Knapper’s comments on Nikylan for MRH School Board Facebook page. Jennifer Schmidt is being challenged by Scott Criscione for the Ward 3 seat.

Brentwood students’ big weekend

By |

Brentwood HS wrestlers, debaters and robotics teams have had a successful weekend. And MRH is sending a wrestler to the state meet. https://twitter.com/BHS_AD/status/1094342921204219905

Maplewood History: William Lyman Thomas – On Slavery

By |

In his landmark 1911 History of Saint Louis County –  Missouri, WLT devoted Chapter IX to The Civil War Period in St. Louis County.  On page 105 in a section titled, “Slavery in the County”, he wrote, “Many families owned slaves; a great many did not.  So far as our personal knowledge extends we never knew or heard of ill-treatment of slaves in the part of the county that was outside the city.  The white boys played with the black ones, went a fishing with them in numerous instances, pulled weeds, hoed potatoes and shared in their tasks.

In the press: pastor shot, Richmond Heights woman to run Tokyo Marathon, more

By |

Lots in the press this week about the pastor who was shot, as an innocent bystander, outside Tropicana Lanes. But also news of a Richmond Heights woman set to run the Tokyo Marathon, and the most expensive homes on the market in Maplewood, and more. Fox 2 — Priest accused of peeping into woman’s Richmond Heights home
Fox 2 — Vigil announced to celebrate life of slain associate pastor
Fox 2 — Friends remember Demetrius Stewart, innocent victim in fatal shooting
Fox 2 — Rev. Demetrius Stewart to be laid to rest today
Fox 2 — Funeral held for man killed at Tropicana Lanes
Good Food St. Louis — Kakao and the Charm of Chocolate
KPLR — Rev. Demetrius Stewart to be laid to rest today
KMOV — Local priest arrested after allegedly looking into coworker’s windows, hiding in bushes
KMOV — Funeral details announced for innocent bystander fatally shot outside Richmond Heights bowling alley
KMOX — Local Priest Arrested, Accused of Hiding in Bushes and Peeking in Windows
KSDK — Man charged with shooting, killing innocent bystander following fight at Tropicana Lanes
St. Louis Business Journal — On the market: The most expensive homes in Maplewood
St.

Celebrate Chinese New Year at the Richmond Heights Memorial Library

By |

The public is invited to celebrate Chinese New Year and usher in the Year of the Pig, including a night of festivities and a traditional lion dance at The Heights. The free event begins at 6:30 p.m., Monday, February 11 at The Heights: Richmond Heights Community Center and Memorial Library, 8001 Dale Avenue. The evening begins with stories and crafts. The highlight of the evening, the lion dance, courtesy of performers from the International Shaolin Wushu Center, begins at 7 p.m. Afterward, enjoy traditional Chinese foods. For more information, contact Richmond Heights Memorial Library staff at 314-645-6202 or follow the library’s Facebook page.

Steak ‘n Shake seeking franchisees; and a rumor

By |

The Maplewood Steak ‘n Shake closed in January along with others in the St. Louis area with little explanation or warning to its employees. The Maplewood location posted a sign that it’s closed for renovations. Online, though, Steak ‘n Shake is seeking franchisees for 400-plus locations. Steak ‘n Shake says: “For a total investment of $10K selected franchisees (who we call Franchise Partners) are granted the rights necessary to operate a franchised Steak ‘n Shake restaurant business.”

MRH assistant principal takes top job at Affton HS

By |

The Affton Schools Board of Education Tuesday night approved the hiring of current Maplewood Richmond Heights Assistant Principal Dr. Deann Myers as high school principal for the 2019-2020 school year. From MRH School District:
Dr. Deann Myers has been a smiling presence and trusted leader at the Maplewood Richmond Heights High School for nearly a decade. Now, she’s taking her radiance and deep educational experience to the principal’s office of the Affton School District. Following an extensive search, the Affton Schools Board of Education last night approved the hiring of Dr. Myers as High School Principal for the 2019-2020 school year. Most recently, Dr. Myers held the title of assistant principal at MRH High School.

Elmwood restaurant kicks off valet parking

By |

Maplewood City officials are set next week to take the final vote to allow two valet parking spots (the original request was for four) on Sutton Boulevard next to Elmwood restaurant; the valet service kicked off on Tuesday. A young man stood ready to park customers’ cars outside Elmwood Tuesday evening. He said he was an employee of Clayton Valet. He took cars to the Marietta parking lot, where a section is reserved for the use, or the Schnucks lot, he said. Signs designating four valet parking spots are already posted.

Maplewood artist honored for achievement and public service in arts education

By |

Maplewood Artist Margaret Keller received a $20,000 Fellowship Award at a ceremony on January 30 at the Regional Arts Commission headquarters on Delmar in University City. The award was for outstanding artistic achievement and public service in arts education through her community involvement over a distinguished career. Keller was among nine other artists in various media and backgrounds honored from the region. More information may be found at the RAC website:   https://racstl.org

A work of Keller’s was chosen for installation on the grounds of the Gateway Arch.

Forum set for Brentwood School Board candidates: 2 incumbents, 1 challenger

By |

Brentwood School Board incumbents, Melissa Nehrt and Kerry Trostel, and challenger Lois Truman will take part in a League of Women Voters forum on Thursday, February 21, at 7 p.m. in the school district’s conference center at 1201 Hanley Industrial Court. The three candidates filed for two open positions for three-year terms on the Brentwood School District Board of Education. The top two vote-getters will win a position on the board. This is Truman’s third run at a seat on the board. Lois Truman took part in a forum in 2018:

Board of Freeholders drive underway to circumvent statewide merger vote

By |

The Municipal League of Metro St. Louis has begun circulating petitions to convene a Board of Freeholders, in response to what the league considers an “unamerican” attempt to force a merger of St. Louis and St. Louis County through a statewide vote. The Municipal League’s petition drive comes a week after the Richmond Heights-based lobbying firm Pelopidas, LLC, — working under the name “Better Together” –  proposed formation of a regional “Metro City” government structure encompassing St.

Valet signs by Elmwood restaurant are ‘temporary’

By |

Maplewood officials at the Jan. 24 meeting considered an ordinance to approve four valet parking spots every night except Sunday from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Sutton Boulevard next to the new restaurant, Elmwood. The city council amended the motion, changing four parking spots to two. Meanwhile, four parking spots were already posted. On Monday City Manager Marty Corcoran told 40 South that the signs are temporary and that the city council will make a final decision at the Feb.