Mid Rivers Newsmagazine 1-24-24

Vol. 21 No. 2 • January 24, 2024 

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STAR PARKER 

A nation Dr. King 

would not recognize 

This year, 2024, marks the 60th anniversary 

of the signing into law of the landmark 

1964 Civil Rights Act. 

(Each January) we observe the national 

day set aside to note and honor the leader 

of the movement that led to that act becoming 

law: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

We must ask how, after 60 years, with 

vast changes in the world, with developments 

in technology unimaginable 60 

years ago, that we remain obsessed with 

race. How is it that claims of racism, injustice 

and unfairness persist like nothing 

happened? 

Indeed, data suggest that Black Americans, 

on average, still lag behind economically. 

The Federal Reserve recently published 

its Survey of Consumer Finances showing 

that average Black family income is 43% 

that of white families. In 1989, it was 42%. 

Average Black household net worth now 

is 15.6% that of white households. In 1989, 

it was 17.8%. 

The deterioration of traditional religious 

values in the country has taken a toll on 

all American families. But proportionally 

more on Black families. 

Per the U.S. Department of Justice, 

Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency 

Prevention, in 2022, 43% of Black children 

lived in a two-parent home – down 26.5% 

from 1970. Among white children, 75.6% 

lived in a two-parent home, down 15.5% 

from 1970. 

America today is a far different country 

than the one where King led the Civil 

Rights Movement. 

The language that King used to lead and 

animate his movement was the language of 

the Bible. He spoke as a pastor. 

But in 1965, according to Gallup, 70% of 

Americans said religion is “very important” 

in their life. 

In 2023, 45% of Americans say religion 

is “very important” in their life. 

In the last speech of his life in 1968, in 

Memphis, Tennessee, King spoke about 

“injustice,” that “we are God’s children.” 

He spoke about not being afraid of death, 

that “I just want to do God’s will,” and then 

spoke those famous words that he’d been 

“to the mountain top” and that he’d seen 

“the promised land.” 

“I’m not worried about anything. I’m not 

fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the 

glory of the coming of the Lord.” 

Can anyone imagine a leader of a major 

political or social movement today speaking 

this way? 

Over these 60 years since the Civil 

Rights Act became law, courts took the 

Bible and prayer out of public schools, 

legalized abortion and changed our legal 

understanding of what defines marriage. 

The godless socialism of DEI – diversity, 

equity, inclusion – has replaced good and 

evil as our perspective on social justice. 

As we have purged religion and replaced 

it with politics, we have lost the core of a 

religious world view. There is good and 

evil, and the Creator gave free choice and 

personal responsibility to choose to each 

individual. 

Without this, the freedom we allegedly 

care so much about has little meaning. 

Government has become our new religion. 

In 1964, federal spending took 17.3% 

of our GDP. Today it takes 24.4%. In 1964, 

gross federal debt equaled 46.2% of our 

GDP. Today it equals 119.8%. 

It is an unfortunate quirk of history that 

the Civil Rights Movement, led by a Black 

Christian pastor, reached its peak at the 

moment when Americans decided to start 

banishing the Bible from our culture. 

A movement informed by good and 

evil and personal responsibility has been 

replaced by politics, interest groups and 

victimhood. 

The community most hurt by the purge 

of personal responsibility that defines individual 

freedom is the one that started out 

the weakest and the greatest victim of our 

moral failures. 

Without a new birth of faith, we for sure 

will not have a new birth of freedom in 

America. 

The whole nation and our future are in 

danger. And the weakest, those whom the 

socialists claim to care the most about, will 

suffer the most. 

• • • 

Star Parker is president of the Center 

for Urban Renewal and Education and 

host of the weekly television show “Cure 

America with Star Parker.” 

© 2024 Creators.com 

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January 24, 2024 

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4 I OPINION I 



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EDITORIAL 

Going over board 

We have been publishing a newsmagazine 

for nearly 28 years in West St. Louis 

County and nearly 20 years in St. Charles 

County. But we have printed more stories 

about public school boards of education 

in the last 24 months than we did in all 

the previous years combined. Did we 

hire a new crackerjack reporter who is 

uncovering all these scoops, using covert 

sources and pure tenacity? Not at all. We 

didn’t find the stories. The stories stood 

up, raised their hand, lit themselves on 

fire, and then started doing one of those 

TikTok dances. In other words, the stories 

found us. 

For the first, let’s just say, 20 years 

we were in print, the local school boards 

– every single one of them – intentionally 

operated in the background. They 

were quiet, supportive and steadfastly 

focused on student performance. The 

members of the school board were largely 

unknown. The regular school board meetings 

were lightly attended. Mild controversy 

would arise whenever the issue of 

taxes was raised, pun intended. In those 

cases, very clear lines were drawn. Voters 

with children in the district favored the 

tax increases. Voters without children in 

the district opposed them. At the end of 

the day, everything smoothed itself out 

because all of the districts within our coverage 

area were – as they remain today 

– very high-performing districts. As such, 

there was no value placed on a board 

drawing attention to itself. Their job was 

to keep the train on the tracks, not to see 

how fast the train could go. 

This is no longer the case. Lately, school 

board candidates have gone the way of 

Trump, leading school boards to go the 

way of MAGA. In a MAGA world, controversy 

is oxygen, and in modern education, 

there is all of a sudden, no shortage 

of oxygen. Critical Race Theory, porn in 

school libraries, transgender participation 

in sports, Black history classes, transgender 

bathrooms; America’s culture wars 

have come to the local school board. 

To give credit where it is due, some 

boards have managed to remain mostly 

quiet (Parkway and Fort Zumwalt). Some 

have heated up and cooled down (Rockwood). 

A few, however, have jumped 

into the fray with both feet and just keep 

throwing punches (Francis Howell and 

Wentzville). 

Last week, Wentzville’s board voted 

5-2 to adopt rules that require students 

to use whichever restroom matches “an 

individual’s reproductive biology at birth.” 

To ensure that Wentzville did not get the 

news cycle all to itself, Francis Howell’s 

board announced that they would vote in 

March on a revised curriculum for Black 

history and Black literature courses. The 

board had previously decided to eliminate 

the courses before agreeing to keep 

them if the curriculum could be rendered 

“politically neutral.” 

At the risk of sounding like the old man 

shaking his fist at the clouds, we miss the 

days of mundane school boards. We miss 

the days when student academic performance 

and fiscal responsibility were the 

hallmarks of good governance and too 

uninteresting to really cover at all. We 

miss the days of reviewing the meeting 

agenda and groaning at the dullness. 

The local board of education is not a 

place from which to launch a political 

career. It is a place to steward with care 

and consideration the social, emotional, 

physical and academic success of our 

children. 

Here’s hoping we can put the “bore” 

back into the school board. 

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6 I NEWS I 





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The Cottleville/Weldon Spring Rotary Club through a partnership with 

Mexican sports journalist Miguel Aguilar donated 10 soccer balls to the 

“Lázaro Cárdenas” soccer school on Three Kings Day, Jan. 6. 

NEWS 

BRIEFS 

DARDENNE PRAIRIE 

City to hold Town 

Square open house 

The city of Dardenne Prairie will host an 

open house to acquaint residents with the 

Town Square Vision Steering Committee 

and get input on its work. 

The area known as Town Square is generally 

bound by Route 364, Technology 

Drive and Post Road. The steering committee 

was formed last fall after residents and 

government officials expressed concern 

over proposed developments, particularly 

the Prairie Encore Development at Bryan 

and Feise roads. 

Members of the steering committee 

include alderman Mike Costlow (Ward 

2) and citizens Mike Wooldridge, Cliff 

Branch, Jack Ballantine, Wendy Rackovan, 

Debbie Haley, EJ Sansone, John 

LeDoux, Carl Maus, Mark Hunter and 

David Hosking. 

The meeting is to be held at City Hall, 

2032 Hanley Road, from 5-7 p.m. on 

Monday, Feb. 12. 

Traffic calming considered 

for Stump Road 

Various traffic-calming needs were 

addressed at the Jan. 17 Dardenne Prairie 

Board of Aldermen work session. The main 

concern centered around Stump Road and 

how new developments will affect the street. 

Alderman Mike Costlow (Ward 2) noted 

that the long, straight roads present speeding 

issues. Alderman Laura Gittemeier 

(Ward 1) agreed and noted, “I haven’t seen 

a police presence out there in a long time.” 

City Administrator James W. Knowles 

III said the city receives many calls about 

traffic issues. Mayor John Gotway also said 

he has data proving that the city is doing 

everything possible to properly monitor 

the area. Gittemeier requested proof of this 

information because her observations do 

not substantiate those claims, she said. 

Alderman Mark Johnson (Ward 3) agreed 

that there should be proof of a problem 

before the city moved to commit funding 

to traffic calming measures, and there was 

a lengthy discussion about what could be 

done if further action was deemed necessary. 

City Engineer Tom Weis noted that 

they could add a chicane or speed table. He 

also suggested that the city experiment with 

temporary heavy-duty rubber speed bumps 

to discover whether a speed deterrent is 

helpful. 

The question of adding flashing red stop 

signs was introduced by alderman Keith 

Widaman (Ward 3). Weis agreed that stop 

signs could also be helpful but that adding 

stop signs could affect federal funding 

grants. 

Not everyone was convinced that Stump 

Road should be the city’s highest priority. 

Alderman Justin Ungerbock (Ward 2) said 

there are various neighborhoods in the area 

with traffic issues that must be addressed 

before committing any funding to Stump 

Road. By contrast, Costlow argued that if 

they added preventative measures while 

already working on the road, residents 

would likely receive better long-term results. 

Residents also voiced their concerns over 

the issue during the public comments portion 

of the board meeting. Everyone who 

spoke agreed that funding preventative 

measures during the development process 

would be a more useful way of spending 

city funding instead of waiting until a problem 

arises. 

O’FALLON 

Firing range approved 

on Hwy. 79 site 

At its Jan. 11 meeting, the O’Fallon City 

Council voted 9-1 to approve a conditional 

use permit to allow the city to construct an 

outdoor firing range in an agricultural district. 

The 200-yard, outdoor shooting range 

and classroom training area would be used 

by the O’Fallon Police Department and 

other law enforcement agencies. It would sit 

on 88.28 undeveloped acres located at 2400 

Hwy. 79, across from an O’Fallon water 

treatment facility. 

Council member Deana Smith (Ward 

1) was opposed to the bill (No.7608). The 

Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended 

its approval. 

But Smith was not only in her opposition. 

The site’s lone neighbor was also opposed. 

During public comments prior to the 

bill’s first reading on Dec. 14, Tim Wilmes 

said the range would be located less than 

100 feet from his residential property. 

“There’s only one home here, guys, this is 

not a subdivision,” he told the council then. 

“There’s just one home, and it is occupied. If 

this firing range goes in the way it sits at the 

moment, nobody is going to want to live in 

that home. Not as a renter. And nobody will 

want to buy it. We have just taken the home 

off the market, pretty much.” 

He asked the council for a reasonable 

agreement before the range was approved. 

As of press time, the city has not yet 

responded to a news request for information 

about what that resolution might be. 

City approves Dardenne 

Greenway Connector plan 

The city of O’Fallon has been preparing to 

install new pathways to tie into the existing 

Dardenne Greenway system, connect into 

high-density residential development system 

in the area, and traverse under I-64 for future 

connectivity to the August Busch Wildlife 

Conservation area. The project has been 

dubbed the Dardenne Greenway Connector, 

or Busch Connector. 

The city already has approved a Transportation 

Alternatives Program agreement with 

the Missouri Highways and Transportation 

Commission to fund a portion of the project. 

An agreement with CDG Engineers for 

design services and a supplemental agreement 

with CDG Engineers for additional 

design services required for the project to 

reconstruct the existing Technology Drive 

bridge in coordination with MoDOT have 

also been approved. 

At its Jan 11 meeting, the O’Fallon City 

Council unanimously voted to approve Bill 

No. 7610 that approves plans for the project, 

declares it to be necessary and appropriate, 

and authorizes the land acquisition and certain 

other actions. 

The improvements include, but are not 

limited to: 

• Installation of new 10-foot-wide, shareduse 

path sections that will tie into the existing 

Dardenne Greenway system at Barat Haven. 

• A new parking lot/trailhead area. 

• A path section that connects into the highdensity 

residential development system in 

the area. 

• A path section that will traverse under I-64 

for future connectivity to the August Busch 

Wildlife Conservation area. 

The project includes coordinating with 

MoDOT for the reconstruction of the existing





I NEWS I 7 

Technology Drive bridge. The new bridge 

will include a 12-foot-wide, shared-use path 

for connectivity of both sides of Dardenne 

Creek and the other improvements. 

The city budget includes funds to support 

this project. 

New tool created to aid in 

development decisions 

When a new residential, commercial, 

apartment, mixed-use, or industrial development 

is proposed, citizens of the city of 

O’Fallon expect its Planning and Zoning 

Commission (P&Z) and City Council to 

make informed and intelligent decisions 

about approvals of plans, financial arrangements 

and permits. 

To help achieve that goal, city staff have 

developed a flexible but easy-to-understand 

tool for evaluating the costs and benefits of 

proposed new development projects. 

The tool, known as the Fiscal Impact 

Analysis (FIA) spreadsheet, has been developed 

and tested using a variety of scenarios 

including old developments (Harvest, 

Thornwood, Gouge Tract), new developments 

(Post Farms), and potential future 

and hypothetical developments. Now, it is 

ready to be deployed. 

In any municipality, new developments 

generate a mix of benefits and costs. Benefits 

include tax revenue generation and 

population and business growth. Costs 

include infrastructure maintenance and city 

personnel expenses. The FIA is designed 

to calculate and summarize those factors 

based on input from city staff, the developer 

and existing data. Then, in a simple format, 

demonstrate the potential economic impact 

the development might have on the city. 

In a presentation of the new tool to the 

council on Dec. 14, Anthony Friedman, 

Ph.D., assistant director of engineering, 

explained that benefits can include population 

growth and tax revenue, including 

property tax, personal property tax, sales 

tax and online use taxes. 

According to Friedman, costs for new 

developments typically involve maintenance 

and replacement of roadways and 

stormwater infrastructure, plus additional 

city police and code enforcement personnel, 

their salaries, benefits, equipment and space. 

Friedman explained that property taxes 

can differ significantly because while the 

tax rate of $0.45 per $100 of assessed 

valuation is the same, residential and commercial 

land are assessed differently. Residential 

property is assessed at 19% of the 

total market value, while commercial land 

is assessed at 33% of market value. 

While broader trends may emerge, each 

development must be viewed and considered 

on a case-by-case basis, because there 

may be benefits and costs beyond the economic 

implications captured that should 

also be considered. 

Friedman expects the model to be continually 

improved and refined as diverse 

new developments are run through it in the 

future. 

ST. PETERS 

City clerk honored 

ahead of retirement 

St. Peters officials said goodbye to City 

Clerk Patty Smith at the Jan. 11 Board of 

Aldermen meeting. She has been city clerk 

since May 9, 2011. It was her last meeting 

before entering retirement. 

Alderman Nick Trupiano (Ward 4), along 

with all of his fellow aldermen, praised 

Smith for her outstanding work and wished 

her the best. 

“You make us look great,” he said. “You 

do a fantastic job.” 

Alderman Dave Kuppler (Ward 3) agreed. 

“She is a wonderful soul with a wonderful 

disposition,” he said. “To have her work for 

the city has just been a wonderful experience 

for all of us.” 

Alderman Judy Bateman (Ward 2) noted 

that not only was Smith a “great city clerk” 

but she is certified and recognized by her 

peers. 

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“A lot of us have no idea what all goes 

on with a city clerk,” Bateman said. “We 

think it’s just getting our agendas to us, and 

maybe looking up some things, but she’s 

done an awful lot of things that we don’t 

even know about. Keeping us all legal. 

“Also I just think she goes above and 

beyond for kindness.” 

Bateman explained how Smith helped to 

look out for others whenever she could. 

“You’ve done so much for so many,” 

alderman John ‘Rocky’ Reitmeyer (Ward 

1) stated. 

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Frost, ice and snow are particularly dangerous for our seniors. 

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8 I NEWS I 





O’Fallon passes North Cool Springs-Tom Ginnever intersection project 

By JOHN TREMMEL 

A project that was defeated 

in December has been rejuvenated 

in January. 

At its Dec. 14 meeting, the 

O’Fallon City Council voted 

6-3 to deny the use of federal 

funding for a new roundabout 

at Tom Ginnever Avenue and 

North Cool Springs Road. 

That decision was reversed at 

the council’s Jan. 11 meeting, 

when reconsideration resulted 

in six council members voted to 

allow the use of federal funding. 

The $986,700 for the project comes in the 

form of MoDOT Congestion Mitigation and 

Air Quality Funding (CMAQ) funds administered 

through the East-West Gateway 

Council of Governments and the Missouri 

Department of Transportation (MoDOT). 

Lisa Thompson (Ward 2) brought about 

the change. 

Prior to the Jan. 11 meeting, Thompson 

requested reconsideration of the bill under 

rules defined in the city code that allow a 

council member who voted with the majority 

to request reconsideration at the same or 

next succeeding meeting. Council member 

Deana Smith (Ward 1) asked Thompson 

why she requested reconsideration. 

“The full city council was not present 

for the vote on Dec. 14, and this being an 

Tom Ginnever Avenue at North Cool Springs Road 

important project, I wanted everyone to 

vote,” Thompson responded. 

Council member Jeff Kuehn (Ward 4) 

was the member who had been absent/ 

excused on Dec. 14. 

Thompson also said she had re-watched 

the council workshop during which Tony 

Friedman, Ph.D., the city’s assistant director 

of engineering, had presented the benefits 

and safety statistics of a roundabout at the 

intersection. Then, she did her own additional 

research about the safety of a roundabout 

versus a stop sign intersection. She said 

her research confirmed that the roundabout 

safety rating is an “A” compared to “C” and 

“E” for stop sign intersections. An “A” being 

the safest and “F” being the most dangerous. 

Regarding the proximity to two high 

schools, Thompson said, “I 

have two young drivers in 

my family, and they have no 

problem with roundabouts.” 

Several other council 

members responded with 

their views on Jan. 11. 

Debbie Cook (Ward 5) 

said she did not understand 

why the absence of one 

council member would be 

a reason for reconsideration 

and a re-vote. 

“We have members 

absent at various meetings 

throughout the year,” Cook 

said. “Should we cancel a meeting if we 

have one member absent?” 

She said safety is not a concern at this 

intersection and the stop sign is only a brief 

inconvenience. 

“Senior residents in nearby housing are all 

against this roundabout,” Cook said. “We 

asked them.” 

Cook said the city has “even busier intersections 

on Crooked Stick and other streets 

and no roundabouts are used there.” She 

said the three-way intersection at Mexico 

Road and Bryan Road has school buses, 

young drivers and a high traffic volume. 

She then asked if the federal project funds 

could be used for other intersections such 

as Bryan at Mexico. City Engineer Wade 

Montgomery said no, the city would need to 

(Google Earth photo) 

apply for that specific project funding. City 

Administrator Michael Snowden then commented 

that if the city did not use the federal 

funding available and already granted, 

applying again later would not be looked 

upon favorably. 

“I was absent from the prior meeting. I am 

an engineer, a numbers guy,” Kuehn said. 

“I agree with council member Thompson’s 

comments. I hate roundabouts, but my teenaged 

son has no problem with them, and 

roundabouts are obviously safer.” 

Smith said she talked with Friedman 

about safety and learned that accidents at 

North Cool Springs-Tom Ginnever intersection 

have mostly been sideswipe and rearender 

accidents with no fatalities. 

“We still will have sideswipes and rearenders 

with the roundabout,” she said. “This 

project is not fiscally responsible compared 

to other projects. We are creating a solution 

for a problem we do not have.” 

Smith said she also was worried about 

pedestrians using a roundabout. 

However, Montgomery said the current 

three-way stop intersection requires pedestrians 

to cross five traffic lanes. The roundabout 

has safety islands where pedestrians 

can wait, all traffic goes in the same direction, 

and pedestrians must cross only two 

lanes, making the roundabout much safer. 

Council member Dr. Jim Ottomeyer 

See O’FALLON, page 11 

St. Peters approves four road projects for 2024 

By JESSICA MARIE BAUMGARTNER 

Multiple road improvement projects were 

passed at the Jan. 11 St. Peters Board of 

Aldermen meeting. From the Spencer Road 

reconstruction to the Harvester Road at 

Queensbrooke Boulevard signal replacement 

and more, residents can expect to see various 

projects move ahead this year. 

The Spencer Road Reconstruction Project 

was passed in order to improve transportation 

systems and facilities to promote the 

general health, safety and welfare of the 

community. M&H Concrete Contractors, Inc. 

will be executing the updates, which amount 

to $3,025,983 in construction work. 

In addition, a Mexico Road Stabilization 

project was approved with the provision that 

it is to be funded utilizing the St. Charles 

County Capital Improvements Sales Tax. It 

will construct a 6-foot wall off of the back 

of the curb along the south side of Mexico 

Road from Kindred Hill Road, extending 

approximately 600 feet to the east. A 6-footwide 

sidewalk will also be created at the back 

of the curb along the south side of Mexico 

Road from First Executive Avenue to Jungermann 

Road, where no sidewalk currently 

exists, and a fence will be placed on top of 

the wall at the back of the sidewalk. 

The wall will help ease erosion and ensure 

the safety of residents. It is slated for completion 

by June 30, 2025. The cost of the project 

is estimated at $150,000, which includes 

design preparation. The city has also agreed 

to apply for federal funding in the form 

of grants administered by the East-West 

Gateway Council of Governments and/or 

MoDOT Cost Share funds. 

A Willot Road Replacement Project 

received approval as well. This will replace a 

pair of failing reinforced concrete pipes that 

are under Willott Road between Carrington 

Drive and Jody Drive and experiencing 

erosion and settlement issues on both ends, 

along with joint separation under the roadway. 

The pipes will be replaced with a pair of 

8-by-6-foot concrete box culverts. This will 

cost an estimated $938,986. The city noted 

that it is currently working with a consultant 

Northwest corner of Harvester Road and Queensbrooke 

Boulevard intersection looking south. 

to complete the design. 

The signal located 

at Harvester Road and 

Queensbrook Boulevard 

is also due for replacement. 

The current signal 

was a temporary installment 

that the city had 

planned to replace eventually. 

Now, the spanwire 

system is weathered and 

the signal has provided an unreliable for the 

St. Peters and GGL traffic network, making 

it difficult for the city to properly respond to 

outages. 

According to the city, the aging spanwire 

system will be replaced with a permanent 

steel signal system. 

“The project will also construct a sidewalk 

along the east side of Harvester Road from 

Queensbrooke Boulevard to Sugarwood 

Drive and provide a signalized pedestrian 

crossing at the Queensbrooke Boulevard signalized 

intersection. The project will install 

a fiber optic cable interconnect for the Harvester 

Road and Queensbrooke Boulevard 

signal,” according to city documents. 

Before voting on the signal replacement 

project, alderman Patrick Barclay (Ward 4) 

commended residents for reaching out to 

help the city decide to replace the light. He 

noted that various improvement projects are 

always being discussed and proposed, so 

hearing from concerned residents aids the 

board in choosing what issues need to be 

addressed in a more timely manner. 

Each of these projects focuses on different 

areas and was approved based on separate 

timelines. All four passed unanimously.





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10 I NEWS I 



décor 

and lifestyles 

COMING 2.21.24 

TO ADVERTISE CALL 

636.591.0010 

As anticipation builds for Dr. 

Michael Greger's upcoming book 

tour, eager attendees can expect 

a deep dive into the science 

behind a vibrant and healthy life. 

Dr. Greger breaks down the 

eleven key aging pathways, 

providing a glimpse into how 

these mechanisms influence our 

biological clocks. Each pathway 

offers unique insights into the 

aging process, empowering 

readers with actionable knowledge. 

“How Not To Age” serves as a 

comprehensive guide to navigate 

the intricate pathways of aging. 

Dr. Greger provides not only 

knowledge but practical 

strategies to implement lifestyle 

changes that support a more 

resilient and youthful journey 

through the aging process. "How 

Not to Age" emerges as a beacon 

of hope, offering the tools to 

unlock the secrets of youthful 

aging. 

Event Details: 

Tuesday, Feb 13, 2024 

From 6:00pm - 8:00pm 

The Sheldon Concert Hall, 

3648 Washington Blvd., St. 

Louis, MO, 63108 

HOW NOT TO AGE: AN 

EVENING WITH BEST 

SELLING AUTHOR DR. 

GREGER 

BY: DR. BETH TEMPLIN, PT, DPT, GCS 

GERIATRIC PHYSICAL THERAPIST 

Ticket Options: 

General Admission ($40) 

Standard Admission ($65): 

Includes a copy of Dr. 

Greger's book, "How Not To 

Age." 

Premium Admission ($100): 

Offers preferred seating, a 

signed copy of the book, a 

chance to win luxury 

transportation to the event, 

and an exclusive Private 

Cooking Class with Caryn 

Dugan of The Center for 

Plant-Based Living. 

Tickets Are Selling Fast! 

Interested individuals are urged 

to secure their tickets promptly, 

as they are quickly selling out. 

Tickets can be purchased at 

STLHowNotToAge.eventbrite.c 

om or by scanning the QR Code 

Below. 

HouseFit 

3809 Lemay Ferry Rd. 

Saint Louis, MO 63125 

(314) 939-1377 

info@housefitstl.com 

www.housefitstl.com 

By JOHN TREMMEL 

St. Charles County Police Chief Kurt Frisz 

has requested St. Charles County Council 

approval to revise the current regional SWAT 

memorandum of understanding to include a 

drone unit. 

In a memo to the council, Frisz said the 

St. Charles County Drone Unit has been in 

operation for nearly two years. 

“During this time, activation requests have 

doubled from 100 in 2022 to 200 in 2023,” 

he said. “The unit initially had seven FAAcertified 

drone pilots, but that number has 

also doubled to 14. To increase the efficiency 

and capabilities of the unit, area police 

department chiefs have agreed to initiate a 

regional drone unit similar to the regional 

SWAT and Crisis Negotiator units.” 

Drones are much more important and 

more integrated into police and emergency 

operations and procedures than in prior 

years and thus are more in demand today 

in area police departments. In January 2024 

SCCAD and SCCPD combined now have 17 

deployable drones. The county refers to them 

as unmanned aerial systems (UAS). 

Lt. Ryan Streck, deputy commander of the 

Bureau of Operational Support, explained 

the history, “Collaborative efforts between 

SCCPD and SCCAD have evolved significantly 

since their initial partnership, marked 

by the successful integration of tactical 

medics into SWAT several years ago. The 

ambulance district developed its proof-ofconcept 

drone team to support emergency 

medical services operations, specifically 

for special teams such as urban search and 

rescue, hazardous materials, and SWAT.” 

“The inception of SCCAD’s drone program 

created an opportunity for SWAT to 

access and understand the advanced capabilities 

of unmanned technology systems, such 

as drones. 



County to vote on drone use Jan. 29 

Hyundai owners can receive a free antitheft 

software update at a drive-thru event 

from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. on Feb. 2-3 in the Chesterfield 

Mall parking lot, outside the closed 

Sears store. 

This event is being held in response to 

persistent thefts targeting certain Hyundai 

vehicles without push-button ignitions and 

immobilizing anti-theft devices. It’s goal 

is to complement Hyundai’s nationwide 

network of dealerships and drive further 

installations of Hyundai’s free anti-theft 

software upgrade for customers who continue 

to be affected by the thefts. 

No appointment is needed. The update 

takes around 20 minutes to install. 

When drivers arrive, they will check in 

“John Yeast, the director of technology at 

SCCAD and a certified FAA PART 107 pilot, 

played a pivotal role in launching the drone 

program and collaborated with SWAT command 

to enhance their drone capabilities.” 

An FAA Part 107 license allows a drone 

pilot to fly at night, over people and over 

moving vehicles. 

“Recognizing Yeast’s expertise, it became 

evident that his inclusion as the team’s tactical 

drone operator would add significant 

value. This collaboration yielded successful 

outcomes, paving the way for opportunities 

to formalize the SCCAD’s existing pilot 

resources,” Streck said. 

He noted that under Yeast’s leadership, 

SCCAD and the county united the two teams, 

resulting in a well-structured and coordinated 

effort. The team now operates a substantial 

aircraft fleet and boasts 14 licensed 

pilots from diverse disciplines, showcasing 

the success and growth of this collaborative 

initiative. 

SCCPD currently uses drones to: 

• Search for missing persons. 

• Locate fleeing suspects. 

• Search building interiors. 

• Assist SWAT, urban search and rescue, 

and Hazmat regional response teams. 

• Support the St. Charles County Regional 

Criminal Interdiction Task Force, leveraging 

drone technology in proactive patrol operations 

and vehicle clearing on high-risk felony 

traffic stops. 

• Survey damage from natural disasters. 

• Assist Emergency Management Agency 

with flooding assessments. 

At its Jan. 8 meeting, the council introduced 

Bill No. 5256 to authorize the execution 

of the revised Regional SWAT Team 

Agreement to include a drone unit. If typical 

process and timing are followed, the bill will 

receive a vote for passage at the next council 

meeting on Jan. 29. 

Hyundai hosts anti-theft drive-thru event 

and be escorted to a customer lounge. A 

valet will take their vehicle to the service 

bay for the software update. The valet will 

return the vehicle when the installation is 

complete. 

Additionally, every Hyundai owner who 

visits the clinic will receive a free steering 

wheel lock. 

Hyundai Motor America sponsors the 

drive-thru event. Since July of 2023 when 

the nationwide events began, more than 1 

million Hyundai vehicles have received 

software updates. 

To see a list of vehicles eligible for the 

update, visit hyundaiantitheft.com and 

enter the vehicle’s VIN to see if the software 

update is needed.



Wentzville Schools adopt 

biological sex bathroom policy 



I NEWS I 11 

Ruby Williford speaks to the Wentzville School District Board of Education on Jan. 18 

(Robin Seaton Jefferson photo) 

By ROBIN SEATON JEFFERSON 

“Hi, my name is Ruby, and I am 12 years 

old. I would like to talk about boys in the 

girls’ bathroom. It makes me uncomfortable 

… I understand about inclusiveness, 

but this crosses the line. I want people to 

be comfortable, but a boy coming into the 

girls’ bathroom makes me uncomfortable. 

And my rights matter too.” 

Ruby Williford stood before the Wentzville 

School District Board of Education 

on Jan. 18 just before it voted 5-2 in favor 

of making the district students who identify 

as transgender use bathrooms based on 

their “reproductive biology at birth.” 

Wentzville Superintendent Danielle Tormala 

cautioned the board just before the 

vote that the policy could expose the district 

to lawsuits for discriminating against 

transgender students under the federal 

government’s Title IX and Equal Protection 

Clause. She noted that the administrative 

recommendation was for the board to 

“refrain from adopting the policy at this 

time.” She warned that since current state 

and federal law remain unsettled, and “a 

split still exists on the gender identity bathroom 

issue,” adopting a policy now could 

create liability for the district. 

“WSD students who receive this type 

of accommodation make up less than one 

O’FALLON, from page 8 

(Ward 4) asked Montgomery about the 

estimated traffic increase expected over the 

next 5 to 10 years. 

“There is no crystal ball for this, but we 

already have a safety rating of C in the 

morning and E in the afternoon on a scale,” 

Montgomery said. “We are seeking to do 

this project now, before we have a more 

serious problem. And I won’t even bring up 

the reduction of emissions from buses and 

cars when a roundabout is use.” 

one-hundredths of 1% of our student population,” 

Tormala said Thursday. She noted 

that “the current language of the Missouri 

Human Rights Act … together with the 

Missouri Supreme Court’s decision that 

public school restrooms are public accommodations 

…literally prohibits school districts 

from segregating their restrooms on 

the basis of sex.” 

Tormala also quoted Duane Martin, the 

district’s former outside legal counsel, 

who, on the Ed Council podcast, recommended 

that school districts wait to make 

policy decisions on the issue “until the law 

is better settled, and the general assembly 

acts.” 

“At this point it is unknowable what the 

law will be in a few years from now, as 

to whether it is unlawful discrimination to 

exclude a student from a restroom based 

upon their gender identity,” Tormala 

quoted Martin as saying. 

Rather than adopting a policy, the district 

should deal with the issue “on a oneon-one 

individual basis,” Tormala advised. 

She said the new policies segregate the 

use of the district’s multi-user facilities on 

the basis of sex thus violating Missouri’s 

Human Rights Act. 

But school board member Jen Olson, 

See WENTZVILLE, page 22 

“We might not have an absolute need for 

this (roundabout) now,” Ottomeyer said, 

“but funding is there now, with a low cost 

to the city.” 

The city’s cost would be $100,000 for a 

$1.5 million project, with $950,000 from 

federal funding and $500,000 County Road 

Board funding. 

For the re-vote, Herweck, Thompson, 

Nathan Bibb (Ward 3), Steve Koskela 

(Ward 3), Kuehn and Ottomeyer voted in 

favor of the bill. Smith, Ronn Epps Ward 

1), Cook and Ragsdale voted against the bill. 

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Get in the ‘yellow seat’ at the 2nd Outdoor Show 

Enjoy the show Feb. 2-4 at the St. Charles 

Convention Center 

It’s time to think spring, and if you need 

a tough tractor or equipment to get some 

real work done, stop in at Sydenstricker 

Nobbe Partners (SNPartners). They 

have just what you need. 

“We sell everything John Deere from 

compact tractors, lawn tractors, Gator 

utility vehicles, compact construction 

equipment and Stihl outdoor power 

tools,” said Vice President of Marketing 

Lee Ann Sydenstricker. “Plus, we feature 

service for equipment with pick up 

options, plus parts including oil, filters, 

and home maintenance kits.” 

Why not check out the latest tractors and equipment at the 2nd Outdoor Show at the St. 

Charles Convention Center Feb. 2-4? Bring the kids and take photos on the equipment. 

The SNPartners Outdoor Show is a great opportunity to learn from industry experts 

including YouTube star Tim Marks of “Tractor Time with Tim.” He will be giving consumers 

ideas for attachments and use of their compact tractors plus answering questions. 

In addition to a fabulous exhibit of all the latest John Deere equipment, Stihl will have a 

full display with tips and tricks. Plus take advantage of show-only equipment specials with 

low, easy finance options. 

Admission to the Outdoor Show is free. Show times are Friday, Feb. 2, from 12-5 p.m., 

Saturday, Feb. 3, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 4, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 

Work with top-rated industry professionals 

to get the job done this year. SNPartners has 

the tools and equipment needed for anyone 

that has a yard to mow, a building site to 

clear or a field to plant. The company has 28 

full-service John Deere locations in Missouri 

and Illinois. 

St. Charles • Dutzow • Moscow Mills 

3575 Veterans Memorial Pkwy. • St. Charles 

(636) 493-0288 

www.SNPartners.com 

Financial guidance, education and peace of mind 

For Chris Cooper, financial serenity means peace 

of mind. In fact, his business, Serenity Wealth 

Management, is built on it. 

“Financial serenity is the peace of mind to enjoy the 

lifestyle you deserve no matter what is going on in the 

world and economy around us. We work hard to save 

for our financial future; it’s important to save efficiently 

with your goals in mind,” Chris said. 

Goal-based planning plays an essential role in securing 

this kind of financial peace. It starts with individual 

goals and then a thorough review and understanding of 

key concerns unique to each person, he said. 

“Goal-based planning, accounting for various financial 

risks is really important. I’m a big believer in having a 

plan and working with a trusted partner who can keep 

you in check, provide education, explain the tools you’re unfamiliar with and serve as your 

guide when making financial decisions,” he said. 

An investment advisor, insurance agent and CPA, Chris provides customized financial plans 

for individuals, families and business owners. His holistic approach includes accumulation, 

income and distribution, estate and long-term care planning. He provides advice on 

investments and insurance always through a lens of tax-efficiency. 

Chris hosts educational events in the St Charles Community to share his expertise on key 

financial concepts influencing your financial serenity. There are two options for his upcoming 

workshop “Principles of Retirement Planning.” 

Both are at Walnut Grill in O’Fallon, one on 

Thursday, Feb. 15 and one on Tuesday, Feb. 20. 

See his website for more information. Or 

request a free copy of his book “A CPA’s Guide 

to Tax-Free Strategies for Long-Term Care.” 

Get to know Chris and learn more about the 

path to financial serenity. 

(636) 333-9819 

www.serenitywealthnow.com 

Keeping your home HIGH & DRY 

HIGH & DRY foundation repair has a solution for your foundation problems. Whether it’s 

a leaky spot in the basement, a crack in the concrete or a leaning/settling foundation wall, 

HIGH & DRY can provide a cost-effective, professional 

repair. 

Co-owned by husband and wife Tom and Cindy Ely, the 

full-service foundation repair company has fixed tens 

of thousands of foundations in the St.Louis metro area 

since 2006. The company specializes in cost-effective 

crack injection, wall stabilization, settling foundations 

and interior drain systems. HIGH & DRY’s highly trained 

team members are not commission based, so they only 

recommend necessary repairs. 

The family-owned company also can structurally 

repair cracks and bowing walls using its carbon fiber 

Tom and Cindy Ely, owners 

products. 

“We use state-of-the-art technologies to provide a 

reliable and cost-effective solution for our customers’ needs,” Tom said. “Our goal is to provide 

the best quality and customer service in the industry. What makes us different? Others have 

sales processes for their products; we try to solve problems and then present solutions.” 

HIGH & DRY uses material supplies of only the highest caliber, made in the USA and keeps 

up with the latest technologies and techniques to ensure the best repairs available. The 

company offers free estimates for waterproofing and foundation repair, as well as a “Life 

of the Structure” transferable warranty. 

HIGH & DRY Foundation Repair has received 

the Super Service Award from Angie’s List 

several years in a row. The company is A+ 

rated with the Better Business Bureau with 

no complaints. 

“We’re honest, with no intimidation,” Tom 

said. “We are going to tell the customer what 

they need – and nothing more.” 

2103 Penta Drive • High Ridge 

(636) 273-1150 • (314) 426-0900 

www.highanddrystl.com 

Where great food and service is a tradition 

Michael Bunyatove, server 

Hospitality, great food and value are core principles 

at Spiro’s. And with more than 45 years of pleasing 

long-time customers and winning new ones, it seems 

to be the perfect recipe for a restaurant’s success and 

longevity. 

Hospitality means service. Tableside service may be 

uncommon at other restaurants, but it is a tradition 

at Spiro’s. The experienced staff will make your dinner 

an enjoyable experience and guide guests through the 

menu and wine list to help them select the perfect 

combinations. 

Great food begins with Mediterranean recipes 

made from scratch that have been time-tested for 

generations. 

“We make everything from scratch, even our sauces 

and stocks because it makes food taste richer. You can’t get that from a package,” said Spiro’s 

general manager Stacy McCullison. Traditional, classic dishes are best, she said. 

“We get it right. And we keep getting it right,” she said. “You can sift through all the trends 

of new-fangled recipes, but you can always trace them back to the basics, the classics. That’s 

why our motto is ‘Make tradition the new trend.’” 

Value means extraordinary menu items at reasonable prices and a variety of choices for the 

perfect fit for your event. Relax and let Spiro’s staff serve your guests in the banquet room 

at the restaurant, have your party catered at 

your location, order and pick up party pans 

of appetizers, pasta and salad or build a gyro 

bar for your party. Or for a special meal at 

home Spiro’s has authentic Mediterranean 

dishes that are packaged for four and are 

perfect for families. 

Come experience Spiro’s, and start your 

own tradition. 

2275 Bluestone Drive • St. Charles 

(636) 916-1454 

www.spiros-restaurant.com





I BUSINESS PROFILES I 13 

Real shopping finds for everyone 

From left, Derek and Janna Pollock 

and Jeff Herndon 

Sometimes all it takes is one family 

obeying God’s calling to build a team to 

serve a community. 

Jeff Herndon, his daughter Janna, and 

son-in-law Derek Pollock are that family, 

and the new Missions Thrift Store (MTS) 

in The Meadows is the result of their labor. 

The 12,000 sq. foot building with a huge 

sales floor opened Sept. 21 and is filled 

with real shopping finds for everyone. The 

store features new and used clothing, home 

goods, furniture, books, electronics, toys and 

lots of compassion. You can find everything 

from a Kate Spade handbag and high-end blue jeans to clothing and toys for a dollar or two. 

Conversations, prayers and a Bible are all free for those who need them. 

The way the project came together shows God was in it from the beginning, they said. As 

Jeff was discerning what God had in store for him next, he spoke to Janna about opening 

a thrift store to fund missions. She and Derek jumped on the idea. In faith, they sold their 

home in Iowa to fund the project and moved to Missouri. God’s timing was perfect. They 

bought some fixtures when a store closed but were given the rest. Merchandise donations 

started coming in a year before opening. “We put the word out and the merchandise came, 

including whole estates, and our whole house was packed,” Jeff said. 

MTS is driven by volunteers and more are 

welcome. MTS supports the Hope Food Pantry 

and Sparrow’s Nest with the proceeds. They also 

collect eyeglasses for Focus on Missions, give to 

Love Packages, send coats and blankets for the 

homeless, give bags for foster care and support 

local schools. 

Stop in and see what God is doing with one 

willing family that has a heart for the community. 

25 Meadows Circle Dr. Ste 102 

Lake Saint Louis • (636) 695-2612 

www.missionsthriftstore.org 

A place to call home in Wentzville 

“It’s their turn to be spoiled.” 

That’s the philosophy of Shahid 

Imran, owner of Hampton Manor, a 

premier assisted living and memory care 

community now open in Wentzville. 

At Hampton Manor, spoiling means 

offering a warm and welcoming 

environment that is expressed in an 

all-inclusive, resort-style community. 

Executive Director Kelly Gano noted 

that amenities include a movie theater, 

beauty salon, outdoor patios, a courtyard 

and transportation services. Plus high-end finishes such as “crystal chandeliers and a water 

feature when you first walk in the building.” 

“The courtyard at Wentzville has a beautiful fountain and a gazebo,” she added. “Imran’s 

expectations of the food also are very high. He wants everything to be top of the line.” 

Residents enjoy three daily delicious, well-balanced meals prepared fresh with a variety of 

menu choices and snacks available anytime. 

The new facility offers three senior living options: independent living, assisted living or 

memory care. The assisted living area of the community has two-bedroom, one-bedroom and 

studio apartments. The memory unit has all studio apartments, Kelly said. 

Every floor plan was created with ease of mobility and safety in mind. 

This is home and it is naturally a place for family and friends as well as residents. A host 

of holiday activities and family socials are planned each year, and the facility offers plenty 

of public spaces where residents can entertain 

visitors. 

Visit wentzvilleassistedliving.com and take a 

virtual tour. In-person tours can be arranged by 

calling (636) 538-6770. 

Two other Hampton Manor communities also 

are planned, one in St. Peters and one in O’Fallon. 

21 Midland Park Drive • Wentzville 

(636) 538-6770 

www.wentzvilleassistedliving.com 

Protecting your family and your future 

There is no such thing as 

a one-size-fits-all plan for 

the future. When it comes to 

protecting your family and your 

estate, trust the experienced 

team at Beck, Lenox, & Stolzer 

Estate Planning & Elder Law to 

help you create a plan that will 

provide you with complete peace 

of mind. 

From newly independent young 

adults to the elderly loved one needing long-term care, their four in-house attorneys are 

here to provide the services appropriate for you. Powers of attorney documents are essential 

for everyone; and a living trust is likely what you need to keep things simple for your heirs. 

A child or adult with special needs may be best served with a guardian and conservator 

assigned to them or possibly having a special needs trust created for his or her benefit. 

A significant part of Beck, Lenox, and Stolzer’s practice is in elder law. Founder Rudy Beck 

has been a local pioneer in this field. Elder law focuses on helping seniors navigate the 

challenges of aging, which often includes finding funds to help pay for home or nursing 

home care or protecting your assets from those costs when there is time to plan ahead. Todate, 

Rudy and his partners Jay Lenox and Caroline Daiker Stolzer, along with Of Counsel 

Attorney Phil Ohlms, have helped over 3,200 clients qualify for Medicaid benefits and over 

2,800 veterans or their widowed spouses successfully apply for VA Aid & Attendance pension 

benefits. Rudy, Jay and Caroline are “accredited” 

attorneys with the VA. 

Are you ready to begin the process to obtain 

peace of mind? If so, go online to beckelderlaw. 

com to schedule a free phone call with one of 

our attorneys. Share your concerns and be 

actively engaged in protecting your family and 

your estate! 

2777 W. Clay Street • St. Charles 

(636) 946-7899 

www.beckelderlaw.com 

Experienced in real estate, committed to clients 

When it comes to navigating the ever-changing 

world of real estate, it’s vital to have an expert 

at your side who has the experience to provide 

guidance each step of the way. 

Peter Lu with eXp Realty has been helping 

folks buy and sell homes since 2006. He has 

experienced the market’s highs and lows and 

has had great success helping his clients navigate 

through the good, the bad and the ugly. He is 

committed to helping clients find the home of 

their dreams without the stress and worry the 

process can entail. Whether you are looking to 

buy or sell a home, Peter’s passion for real estate 

and in-depth knowledge of the market makes 

him an invaluable partner. The Peter Lu Team 

prides themselves on their service, high standards 

and exceptional rates. Peter and his team have worked with clients from across St. Louis 

and West County, and in a myriad of municipalities. Whether you’re in the market for a new 

home, condominium or acres of beautiful land for a personal project or endeavor, Peter and 

his team have inside knowledge and experience with sought-after locations. For those who 

don’t know where to start, skip the guesswork and let Peter and his team help match you 

with one of the area’s many available properties. They serve St. Charles County, St. Louis 

County, St. Louis City and Jefferson County. 

Trust a real estate professional who will have your best interests in mind throughout every 

step of the process. Call Peter today at (314) 662-6578, and experience the difference firsthand. 

11142 Olive Blvd. • St. Louis 

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Mobile: (314) 662-6578 • (866) 224-1761 • www.peterluteam.com






There is something about Erio’s Ristorante that makes a difference in fine dining. 

Perhaps it’s the hand cut steaks, custom trimmed chicken, original sauces and handmade 

dough. Maybe it’s the old school Sicilian way of cooking one order at a time, or a menu 

that spans from delectable steaks to tender veal 

dishes to seafood, pasta, sandwiches and pizza. 

“It’s all about details. Every little detail matters,” 

said Joe Creach, who owns Erio’s Ristorante with 

his brother Andrew. “When you add them all up it’s 

the small details that make a big difference.” 

For proof, stop by and try the Bistecca Alla 

Siciliana, the char-grilled 14-ounce strip steak. 

Crusted in homemade Italian bread crumbs, it is 

served with a fresh tomato, olive oil and garlic 

dipping sauce. 

Or try the Vitello Alla Parmigiana with its tender 

slices of veal breaded with homemade Italian 

Andrew and Joe Creech, owners 

Taste what you’re missing 

bread crumbs, baked with red sauce and topped 

with mozzarella and parmesan cheese. If pasta 

is your passion, try the Rigatoni Erio’s, which features large tubal pasta alongside fresh 

garlic, Roma tomatoes, sun dried tomatoes, sliced Italian sausage and red chili pepper 

flakes – all in a rich marinara sauce. And you can’t go wrong with the pizza. 

“People continually ask me what’s good. It’s hard to answer, and I know it’s a cliché to say, 

but everything is good,” Creach said. 

Perhaps it’s time to taste for yourself. 

Erio’s Ristorante opened in St. Peters in 

1991 and is a favorite of local diners. The 

restaurant is small, friendly and comfortable. 

Stop by soon to experience all the little details 

that add up to great food and exceptional 

customer service. 

951 Jungermann Road • St. Peters 

(636) 928-0112 

www.eriosristorante.com 

A personalized plan for every student 

At EYC Academy, they realize that 

every student’s journey is different, 

and learning isn’t one-size-fits all. 

Created by a team of experienced 

educators, EYC Academy opened 

its doors in 2018 to bring a nontraditional 

school experience to 

students. EYC removes barriers to 

success by offering a personalized 

plan for every student and supporting 

their individual academic, social and 

emotional needs in a safe environment. 

The day school program for grades 6-12 gives students greater one-on-one access to 

teachers, small groups, remote flexibility to recover after illness or significant life events, the 

ability to self-pace, writing and tutoring support, college planning, a national diploma and 

career certificate program and more. 

EYC Academy works in partnership with families and schools, navigating an array of 

learning environments together. But it goes beyond academics. Their wraparound services 

support the full student. They help align additional resources, such as counseling or therapy, 

should a student need it. 

Every student — no matter their age, background, or circumstance — has a place at EYC 

Academy and creating a safe space for them to learn is 

their main priority. 

Just because every student’s path to success is different 

it doesn’t mean they should have to walk it alone. 

Enrollment is ongoing for full- or part-time students, 

and a nationally approved digital curriculum allows 

the school to deliver services anytime and anywhere. 

Families from districts state-wide can choose to attend 

EYC virtually through the MOCAP (Missouri Course 

Access Program). 

13718 Olive Blvd. • Chesterfield 

(636) 220-3344 

info@eycacademystl.org 

Making dream kitchens a reality 

A home’s kitchen is more than a room. It’s the heart of the home and a gathering place for 

family and friends. From refinished cabinets to updated countertops, the experts at Classic 

Kitchen Refacing can help make your dream kitchen a reality. 

Since 2015, Classic Kitchen Refacing 

owner Don Sheehan and his staff have 

worked with each individual client 

on designing refacing options as an 

affordable alternative to remodeling. 

“We do cabinet refacing, custom 

countertops and tile backsplashes. 

That’s our niche in the market,” Don 

explained. 

That niche has allowed Classic 

Kitchen Refacing to focus its services 

and provide customers with the 

utmost excellence in both at-home service and quality materials. 

“The cabinet stays in place, and we cover the sides and front with quarter-inch solid wood,” 

Don explained. “All the exposed surfaces get covered. Then, we add new doors. You can 

change the color or the style of your door. If you have an arched oak door that you’re tired 

of, we can do a new shaker door or just a totally new style.” 

In addition to updating aesthetics and style, Classic Kitchen Refacing also offers assets like 

new soft-close hinges, handles and other hardware pieces to add a finishing touch. Plus, they 

have the latest in quartz countertop selections. 

“It’ll look and act like a brand new 

kitchen for less than half the price of 

tearing everything out and replacing 

it,” Don said. 

Financing options are available with 

a no pressure guarantee. Call today to 

learn more, get a free consultation or 

secure a quote for your next project! 

3444 North Lindbergh Blvd. • St. Ann 

(314) 739-1730 

www.classickitchenrefacing.com 

Dedicated to the communities it serves 

“We’re from here. We live here. 

And we love it here.” 

MRV Bank is dedicated to 

serving consumers and small 

businesses throughout Missouri. 

Its owners and investors are 

all local, too. That’s why every 

decision it makes is made with 

its communities in mind. MRV 

Bank believes in supporting 

local economies, organizations and businesses so it can create a better place to live. 

“Our branch is staffed with knowledgeable, friendly, local employees,” MRV Bank Market 

President Garrett Watson said. “We take pride in providing the best products and services 

for our customers. We also take pride in our personal approach to banking and helping our 

clients make the best financial decisions possible. 

“At MRV Bank, our business customers are small and local, just like us. They are the heart 

of our business, and we treat them with the importance they deserve. We make financing 

simple and easy to understand so owners can focus on their companies, and we offer a 

comprehensive product line and personalized services to help businesses thrive.” 

MRV Bank is one of the fastest growing banks in the region. CB Resource, Inc. a risk 

management firm, has ranked MRV Banks first on its CB Top Ten list of community banks 

with similar assets. 

When people bank locally, their money stays 

in and benefits their own community. Big 

banks send their profits out of town. MRV 

Bank invests to support local economies, 

organizations and businesses. When customers 

are ready to organize their finances and plan 

for future needs, MRV is here to help. To learn 

more, contact the St. Charles branch. 

1700 O’Fallon Road • St Charles 

(636) 638-2585 

www.mrvbanks.com





I BUSINESS PROFILES I 15 

Let our family take care of your family 

The Johnson family, owners 

When it comes to your family’s heating and 

cooling needs, trust the family at Johnson 

Heating & Cooling. This family-owned and 

operated business, launched in 2013, is a passion for 

owners Tracy and Shaun Johnson, who graduated 

high school together in Wentzville. 

“I’ve been around the industry since I was 5 years 

old, and it’s in my blood,” said Tracy. Her parents 

owned a local HVAC company for more than 30 

years. “Shaun and I got into the business years ago 

and we share the same passion and work great 

with each other.” 

Johnson Heating & Cooling installs dependable, 

high-quality furnaces, air handlers, air conditioners 

and heat pumps in new construction homes and 

existing homes. They also perform service and 

maintenance on all brands of equipment. The 

Johnsons’ goal is to educate customers and provide 

them with the most comfortable, high quality systems available. 

Shaun takes pride in all aspects of the company’s workmanship. With over 22 years in the 

industry and a Journeyman License in several counties, Shaun’s honest, respectful approach 

has gained respect from both builders and homeowners. Tracy handles all aspects of 

customer service and internal office affairs. Her friendly, caring personality brings as much 

cheer to their office as it does to customers. 

“Our employees have been with us all 

these years!” Tracy declared. “We are one 

big family all sharing the same passion of 

wanting to provide a family-friendly HVAC 

company to our customers. We strive to 

provide the best service we can that you can 

trust and rely on.” 

223 N. Callahan Road • Wentzville 

(636) 332-4141 

www.johnson-heatingandcooling.com 

Inside-out knowledge of carpentry 

While some services fade in and out over time, the need for masterful carpentry and fine 

craftsmanship has continued to stand the test of time. When looking for a skilled craftsman 

to take on any woodworking or carpentry needs, look no further than Joe Overman, founder 

of Affordable Carpentry. 

With 20 years of experience, Joe provides a wide 

array of carpentry, all with a low overhead cost. 

Joe specializes in many interior and exterior jobs, 

including the installation of trim, framing, crown 

molding, chair rail, wainscoting and more. Joe can 

also do projects like stairs and doors, in addition to 

taking on multi-step builds like bookshelves. Inside or 

out, Joe treats every carpentry job as if it is a project 

in his own home. 

“I have skills with wood working and I enjoy it,” Joe 

said. “I have great satisfaction seeing my customers’ 

faces when the job is completed.” 

Joe also ensures that each job is completed with 

Joe Overman, owner 

integrity while on the job and behind-the-scenes. 

“I care about my customers and their needs; I will 

try to help them by offering suggestions, but in the 

end it is their decision,” Joe said. “I do my job with the highest quality and standards.” 

Joe can also do installation jobs for items like kitchen cabinets and other built-in structures. 

He’s even built custom decks for multiple 

clients. 

“Those are really the kind of projects that 

you want someone with a lot of experience 

on,” Joe said. 

Services are available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

daily, so don’t hesitate to call Joe today! Free 

estimates are offered. 

Advice to find the perfect fit for senior living 

When it comes to choosing a senior living community, a local advisor who knows the ins and 

outs of senior care in the St. Louis area makes a difference. 

Shona McIntyre said Senior Community Connections 

is about finding the right fit for seniors and their 

families, and she knows the St. Louis area well. 

“About two-thirds of seniors who move into a 

community find out that it’s not the right fit for them 

within the first six months,” she said. “So when they 

work with me, I really hone in on what’s important to 

them. And I know all the communities well.” 

National companies that have advisors don’t always 

know the local scene, she said. 

As a social worker and a certified dementia 

practitioner from the St. Louis area, Shona knows what 

to look for; she knows the questions to ask. 

“A local senior care advisor helps narrow down the 

search to two or three communities that meet all their 

Shona McIntyre, owner criteria, saving them thousands of dollars and lots of 

time,” she said. 

“Everyone’s needs are different, but the bottom line is quality care," Shona said. “I really dig 

in and look at communities to make sure they are offering the best care.” 

If you or a loved one needs to start thinking about a new, more convenient place to live, call 

Shona to set up a consultation. She will ask the right questions, then connect the family with 

those communities that are the best fit 

in lifestyle and affordability. 

“I am a neutral party that’s here to 

guide seniors and their families so 

they can make the best decisions for 

themselves or a loved one," she said. 

The service is free. 

(314) 401-0399 

www.seniorcommunityconnections.net 

Celebrating 50 years of honest and reliable service 

Over the last 50 years, Len’s Auto Repair has built a reputation as a friendly, reliable 

automotive facility where customers seek top-notch repair and maintenance services from 

trustworthy mechanics. Moreover, it is 

always open to those with inquiries about 

their vehicles with knowledgeable experts 

ready to provide answers and guidance. 

Leonard & Shirley Mertz opened Len’s Auto 

Repair on March 4, 1974, transforming an 

aging three bay gas station in Overland into 

the thriving shop it is today. For 32 years, 

Leonard worked hard to provide excellence 

in auto repair and honest, reliable service, 

and customers appreciated it. 

In 2003, Len’s Auto Repair increased the 

shop from three bays to six. In 2012, came the establishment of the Cottleville shop with six 

bays. As demand continued to soar, the Cottleville location expanded in 2017, upgrading to a 

total of 10 bays. Len’s Auto Repair proudly opened their third location in North O’Fallon in 2020, 

featuring another six-bay shop to serve the needs of their valued clientele. 

In 2022, Len’s Auto Repair constructed another new shop with a capacity of 12 bays. This stateof-the-art 

facility, still nestled in the picturesque town of Cottleville, was specifically designed 

to cater to the needs of their customers. 

Whether it’s a minor tire repair or a complex engine or transmission replacement, Len’s 

Auto Repair delivers high quality repairs. Their 

commitment to excellence remains unwavering, 

ensuring that each customer receives top-notch 

service. 

As the family and staff of Len’s Auto Repair 

celebrate its 50th anniversary, they say they 

are grateful for the privilege of serving local 

communities and appreciate all who have 

provided support through the years. 

(636) 441-2330 

www.lensauto.net






One-on-one complimentary design services 

The Foyer is a furniture and home decor store in Chesterfield that puts a unique spin on 

home decorating with design services for free. “It’s what sets us apart from other home 

décor stores,” said owner Carrie Keipp. 

They start, however, with beautiful decor 

– mirrors, pictures, florals accented with 

lights, vases, candleholders, trays, beads 

and large contemporary florals that will 

make your home something special. 

As for furniture, the tables, cabinets and 

chairs The Foyer offers are “statement 

pieces” that you can build your style 

around and accent pieces that complement 

Owner Carrie Keipp (left) and designer 

Chantell Gibson 

that style. Then, for some expert advice, 

make an appointment with designer 

Chantell Gibson or just walk in and meet 

one of the other associates. They have the expertise to make your home one of a kind. 

Take pictures and measurements of the space you need help with, whether it’s a giant wall, 

the area behind a couch, a fireplace mantel or a dining room tablescape. With customers’ 

preferences in color and style, and an idea of how they want their own space to look and feel, 

designers can create a customized new look. 

Customers can also see how the design is put together to recreate it in their own home. The 

design team works with items in the store, but if 

a customer has a special piece to incorporate into 

the design, they will be happy to work with it. 

Beautiful decor, furniture and personalized oneon-one 

free design services is The Foyer’s way to 

help you create your own “home sweet home.” 

“Our goal is that customers leave here with 

something that expresses who they are and 

sets their home apart from everyone else’s,” 

Keipp said. 

1649 Clarkson Road • Chesterfield 

(636) 778-1400 

www.thefoyerhomedecor.com 

Make it a great 2024 in wine country 

Nestled in the hills overlooking the Missouri River Valley, Augusta with its vineyards and 

wineries, restaurants and bed and breakfasts has become a destination in Missouri wine 

country, part of the beautiful landscape that brings visitors from all over the country. 

Adding to the interest, are themed festivals with food, wine, music and activities for the 

whole family. Coming up is the 21st Annual 

Augusta Plein Air Festival April 25 to May 4. 

On May 4, we will have a street festival with 

over 100 booths including art booths, food 

vendors, and an art tent for kids. Come out 

and take home a piece of original art. 

The Augusta Harvest Festival is planned 

for Sept. 20-21 with “Swingin’ in the Vines,” 

a gourmet picnic at Honey Bee Vineyard 

on Friday. Take a ride on a pumpkin wagon, 

collect your picnic basket for two, select 

your bottle of wine, enjoy a port tasting in 

The Augusta Plein Air Festival 

a historic wine cellar and dance under the 

stars to a live band. The all-inclusive cost 

of the evening is $125 for two people. Call 636-228-4005 to reserve your place. On Saturday, 

September 21, enjoy the parade; compete in the pie contest! Children’s activities are planned 

as well as live music. 

While you’re in Augusta, stop in at the Augusta Visitor Center, home to The Wandering Owl, 

a new gift shop providing a wide variety of 

items such as home décor, t-shirts, coffee mugs, 

Christmas ornaments and personal items you 

may have forgotten for your visit. The clerks 

will assist you in learning about the town 

with directions and contact information for 

the various businesses in the area. The Center 

is open daily with brochures and information 

about area attractions. 

See Augusta, a Missouri gem in your backyard! 

5577 Walnut Street • Augusta 

(636) 228- 4005 

gacc.augusta@gmail.com 

www.augusta-chamber.org 

Registration opens for summer programs Feb. 1 

Dancers from two through adult can find their niche in classes at Saint Louis Ballet School. 

Registration opens Feb. 1 for Summer Programs – the perfect time to further develop or begin 

your path in dance. 

Last year, a 5th studio was added providing another level to the daytime summer program 

and more room to better place students among their peers. 

“Ballet teaches you discipline and focus 

and is a great form of exercise. It can 

also be fun!” said Administrator Tanya 

Strautmann, who danced professionally 

with Saint Louis Ballet Company for 16 

years and has co-directed the school for 

over 15 years. “Saint Louis Ballet School 

is the educational branch of Saint Louis 

Ballet Company, the city’s regional 

professional ballet company, so students 

learn from those professionals as well as 

guest instructors.” 

“Dance requires muscle development 

and skill that needs continued training year-round including during the summer, especially for 

tween ages and up” Tanya explained. “You don’t want to lose that developed muscle training 

gained during the school year, so the summer is a great time to continue dance classes or try a 

new dance form.” 

Summer programs are offered for every age and level. 

Storybook Camps for ages 3-6 offer Disney themes plus 

favorites like “The Nutcracker,” and include dance, crafts, 

and a performance for parents. For ages 7-21, the school 

offers up to five weeks of programs. Participants take daily 

ballet interspersed with classes in contemporary, musical 

theater, jazz, hip hop and conditioning. 

“Saint Louis Ballet School offers well-rounded programs 

for students whether it be year-round or for the summer,” 

Tanya said. “We’ve become a trusted institution for St. Louis 

families, and we continue to strive to earn their trust.” 

218 THF Blvd • Chesterfield 

(636) 537-1998 

stlouisballet.org 

Customized transportation for special needs 

Ronda Meriweather, 

owner 

Sometimes people need a little help getting where they 

need to go. Whether it is a trip home from the hospital, a 

doctor’s appointment, dentist appointment or any nonmedical 

event, Transport-U can help! 

“Transportation is what we do,” said Ronda Meriweather, 

owner. “We are transporting people who are unable to drive 

themselves to non-emergency events, such as doctor and 

dentist appointments, the airport, family events or leisure 

trips,” 

“We are not Uber; we are not Lyft; and we are not a cab 

company,” Ronda said. 

“The difference between Transport-U and those other 

services is that we are dedicated to handle a situation when 

someone has a medical issue. After a procedure, hospitals are 

restricted on who they can release patients to when they are 

medicated because patients may be sick, dizzy or nauseous.” 

All staff, drivers, dispatchers, office staff including Ronda are trained in CPR and AED and have 

taken special driving courses which educate drivers on how to handle passengers with special 

conditions that need customized care like people who are visually or hearing impaired. 

Transport-U’s vehicles are wheelchair and gurney accessible. 

“We love our seniors,” Ronda said. “Most of our customers live in senior communities and do 

not live close to family who can help.” 

Family members who live outside of Missouri often 

rely on these services, entrusting their loved ones will 

be safely transported to their destination. 

Transport-U is a private pay company located in the 

Chesterfield area and provides transportation in a 30- 

mile radius as well as rural communities. 

For more information or to schedule a trip, give them a 

call or visit Transport-U’s website. 

(314) 970-3438 

www.transport-u.com 

info@transport-u.com





I SCHOOLS I 17 

Duchesne student build houses, relationships in Mexico with dad 

By BETHANY COAD 

A father, a son and memories to last 

a lifetime. That’s the story of Dave and 

Nolan Hermann and their recent trip to 

Tijuana, Mexico. 

The Duchesne junior and his dad weren’t 

on vacation; they were on a mission with 

Homes of Hope International, a program 

run by Youth With a Mission (YWAM). The 

goal: to build a home for a family in need 

– and grow a little closer. Family, church 

groups, co-workers, and students are all 

encouraged to share a weekend to make 

a difference and become more aware and 

informed of conditions outside their world. 

“My parent company, Wiese, has sponsored 

these trips over the last two years,” 

Dave said. “This was the fourth or fifth 

planned trip. One of my employees has 

been on three of them now, and it inspired 

me to give it a try.” 

Each home takes approximately 15 

people, age 15 and older, two full working 

days, or a total of 16 hours, to build. 

Dave’s company provided enough volunteers 

to do two separate house builds for 

two families. They were joined by local 

residents, some of whom had homes built 

for them as children. 

Nolan (middle, in black) and Dave (right of Nolan) with the Homes of Hope International team. 

(Source: Duchesne High School) 

Nolan said he had no expectations of 

what the trip would bring. He went because 

his dad asked him to go. 

“Prior to the trip I had never been to 

Mexico, nor had I done any sort of mission 

trip,” he explained. “But what I wasn’t 

expecting was the harsh reality the family 

was facing in poverty. 

“Seeing their current home, sleeping 

place and general living conditions was 

something very eye-opening for me. It’s 

something you really don’t understand 

until you see it.” 

He said he enjoyed the educational 

aspect of learning to build a home but 

what surprised both him and his dad was 

how quickly they built relationships. By 

the end of the trip, almost everyone was 

good friends despite only knowing each 

other for three days and all having different 

backgrounds. 

“The build itself was something Nolan 

and I will never forget. Of course, over the 

years, everyone sees pictures and videos 

of the many less fortunate people around 

the world, but being there in person, meeting 

the family we were helping and really 

getting to see what their life was like was 

quite the eye opener. It really puts things in 

perspective,” Dave said. 

Nolan said the most fulfilling thing was, 

without a doubt, the look on the family’s 

face when they came back to see their new 

home. 

“You could see how thankful they were 

and I will never forget their reactions,” 

Nolan said. 

It was enough to make the duo consider 

a return trip. 

“I would love to go back again with 

Nolan or even bring other members of 

my family,” Dave said. “It’s amazing how 

close you can get to someone in just 48 

hours while doing something like this.” 

The strength of the experience, and 

bonding Nolan shared with his father, is 

something he thinks everyone should try. 

“During the build, we did things together 

most of the time throughout the day,” 

Nolan said of him and his dad. “It seems 

like a big project, but with all the people 

you will meet and work with, it feels like it 

gets done in minutes.” 

Homes for Hope International is open 

for groups of all sizes. For more information 

visit ywamhomesofhope.org. 

5 15% %APR* 

Semi-Annual Interest 

Fixed Rate / Callable in 6 months 

Issued By 

JP Morgan Chase Bank NA 

New York, NY 

13-Month CD / FDIC Insured 

Final Maturity: 2/24/2025 

Call Date: 7/23/2024 @ $1000 per CD 

Estate Feature / Death Put 

The CD is callable in six months at the bank's option and semi-annually thereafter with 15 calendar days notice. 

*Subject to availability. The Annual Percentage Rate (APR) represents the interest earned through each eligible call date based on simple 

interest calculations, an investment price of $1000 per CD, and is accurate as of January 18, 2024. Callable CDs are more likely to be called in 

a lower interest rate environment, and investors may be unable to reinvest funds at the same rate as the original CD. The minimum balance 

required to open a CD and obtain the APR is $10,000. Interest payouts are mandatory, and interest cannot remain on deposit. The CD 

is redeemable at par upon death of the holder. 

FDIC Insurance is provided through the issuer. FDIC insurance covers up to $250,000 (including principal and interest) for deposits held 

in different ownership categories, including single accounts, joint accounts, trust accounts, IRAs, and certain other retirement accounts, per 

issuer. CDs are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to a predetermined limit, based on account category. More details 

are available on fdic.gov. Investors should check all their existing deposits at that bank prior to purchasing its CD so they won’t exceed FDIC 

insurance limits. 

CD prices move opposite to interest rates, increasing when rates decline and falling when rates increase. CDs are intended to be held until 

maturity, as this assures redemption at par value. Investors may sell them before the stated maturity date, if needed, at prevailing market 

prices, and proceeds may be more or less than the original investment. Market values of longer term CDs tend to be more sensitive to interest 

rate fluctuations. Thus, longer-term CDs are generally not suitable for investors with a short-term horizon. Other factors that may affect CD 

prices are order size, call features and investor demand. Sales charges may apply. Consider all risks and benefits and how this investment 

alternative may help meet investment objectives. 

For Complete Details, Call: 

Jeffrey S. Patterson, Managing Partner 

Patterson Wealth Management LLC 

15415 Clayton Rd • Ballwin, MO 63011 

636-779-0664 • 800-536-8770 

pattersonwealthmanagement.com 

Securities and Investment Advisory Services offered through Cutter & Company, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC. Patterson Wealth 

Management, Cutter & Company, Inc. and the issuer are not affiliated. Banking products and FDIC insurance are provided by the issuer.

18 I HEALTH I 





The American Red Cross recently issued an emergency call for blood 

donations as a 20-year low in its donor numbers threatens critical 

blood supplies. 

(Adobe Stock photo) 

HEALTH 

CAPSULES 

By LISA RUSSELL 

Blood donations fall 

to 20-year low 

As the U.S. marks National Blood Donor 

Month in January, The American Red Cross 

has also issued an emergency call for donations 

as it faces the lowest number of people 

giving blood in the last 20 years. Blood 

and platelet donations are urgently needed 

to help alleviate the shortage and ensure 

lifesaving medical procedures can continue, 

according to its chief medical officer. 

“One of the most distressing situations 

for a doctor is to have a hospital full of 

patients and an empty refrigerator without 

any blood products,” said Dr. Pampee 

Young. “A person needs lifesaving blood 

every two seconds in our country – and its 

availability can be the difference between 

life and death.” 

The Red Cross received about 7,000 

fewer units of donated blood than it needed 

between Christmas and New Year’s Day 

alone, which left the organization with a 

major deficit of life-sustaining blood products 

to begin 2024. Additional challenges 

may lie ahead as winter weather and seasonal 

respiratory illnesses like the flu affect 

donor turnout. 

To find an upcoming blood drive near 

you, visit the organization’s website at 

RedCrossBlood.org. Appointments can 

also be made by calling 1-800-733-2767. 

Translating thoughts into 

speech comes closer to reality 

The ability to “read” and translate a person’s 

thoughts into speech is no longer a 

concept found only in science fiction. An 

implantable speech prosthetic developed 

by a team of neuroscientists, neurosurgeons 

and engineers at Duke University 

can translate a person’s brain signals into 

words they’re trying to say. 

In a recent trial, the team fabricated a 

postage stamp-sized piece of flexible, medical-grade 

plastic containing hundreds of 

microscopic brain sensors. They recruited 

four patients who were undergoing brain 

surgery for some other condition, such as 

to treat Parkinson’s disease or remove a 

brain tumor, to test the implants. 

During their surgeries, the devices were 

temporarily implanted in these patients, 

who were awake. They were given a simple 

listen-and-repeat activity in which they 

“heard” a series of nonsense words via the 

sensor, and then spoke each one aloud. The 

device recorded activity from the speech 

motor cortex of each patient’s brain, and 

was able to coordinate nearly 100 muscles 

that move the lips, tongue, jaw and larynx. 

The Duke researchers hope this new technology 

could one day help people who are 

unable to speak, due to neurological disorders 

such as ALS, to communicate effectively 

again. Their study was recently published in 

the journal Nature Communications. 

For the seventh year in a row, the 

Mediterranean diet has topped U.S. 

News and World Report’s annual list of 

Best Diets for 2024. 

The diet focuses on eating mainly nutrient-dense 

fruits, vegetables, whole grains, 

fish, nuts, seeds and healthy fats such as 

olive oil. It’s a consistent winner because 

research shows people who stick to a Mediterranean-style 

eating plan tend to live 

longer – and are also less likely to suffer 

from chronic diseases such as cancer, heart 

disease and Type 2 diabetes. 

While red meats and sugary sweets 

can be part of the Mediterranean diet as 

well, they should be kept to a minimum. 

COVID may ‘rebound’ more 

often after Paxlovid treatment 

There may be a downside to taking the 

antiviral medication Paxlovid to lessen the 

severity of COVID-19 symptoms, according 

to a recent study by University of California 

San Francisco medical researchers. 

Although Paxlovid is effective at protecting 

unvaccinated people who are at 

high risk for serious illness and hospitalization 

due to the virus, it does not prevent 

the litany of uncomfortable and sometimes 

life-altering symptoms known as long 

COVID which can follow the virus, the 

UCSF team reported. What’s more, people 

who take Paxlovid have a higher rate of 

“rebound” symptoms after treatment ends, 

and also continue to test positive for a 

longer period of time, their study found. 

The research was based on a group of vaccinated 

people participating in the university’s 

COVID-19 Citizen Science Study, some 

of whom took oral Paxlovid treatment during 

the acute phase of infection. In a follow-up 

survey conducted months later, about 16% 

of those treated with Paxlovid reported long 

COVID symptoms such as fatigue, shortness 

of breath, confusion, headache, and altered 

taste and smell – compared to 14% of those 

who had not taken the antiviral. 

Among those who symptoms improved 

during Paxlovid treatment, 21% reported 

rebound symptoms later. And in the group 

reporting rebound symptoms, about 11% 

reported one or more long COVID symptoms, 

compared to roughly 8% with no 

rebound symptoms. For participants who 

repeated antigen testing after testing negative 

and completing Paxlovid treatment, more 

than a quarter (26.1%) reported rebound 

symptoms or continued to test positive. 

The study was published this month in 

the Journal of Medical Virology. 

Vaping harms the heart 

study suggests 

Results of the most recent Annual 

National Youth Tobacco Survey, published 

last November, show that roughly 2.8 million 

American youth under 18 currently 

use tobacco products. The vast majority of 

them use e-cigarettes, including 6.6% of 

middle school-aged children. 

Mediterranian Diet again ranked No. 1 for health 

An occasional glass of red wine is also 

acceptable, according to its guidelines. 

The DASH diet (Dietary Approaches 

to Stop Hypertension) and the MIND 

diet (Mediterranean-DASH Intervention 

for Neurodegenerative Delay) 

were named the second- and third-best 

overall diets by the publication. The 

DASH eating plan is aimed at reducing 

or preventive high blood pressure, while 

MIND includes elements of both the 

Mediterranean and DASH approaches, 

concentrating on foods (such as leafy 

greens, berries, nuts and fish) that may 

improve brain health to potentially lower 

the risk of mental decline.





I HEALTH I 19 

While health experts agree that vaping 

exposes users to fewer toxic chemicals 

than traditional cigarettes, more and more 

evidence shows that it is far from harmless. 

Recently, a new study from the University 

of Louisville found that the nicotine in certain 

types of e-cigarettes – including many 

of those favored by young people – may 

increase the risk for irregular heartbeat or 

heart arrythmias. 

The Louisville researchers compared 

heart rate and heart rate variability in 

mice exposed to vape aerosols containing 

different types of nicotine. They contained 

either freebase nicotine, used in 

older types of e-cigarettes; nicotine salts, 

used in popular pod-based e-cigarettes; 

or freebase nicotine, simulating the 

recently popularized synthetic nicotine. 

The mice received increasing concentrations 

of the nicotine over time, from 1% 

to 2.5% to 5%. 

The nicotine salts induced cardiac 

arrhythmias more often, and more 

intensely, than freebase nicotine, and 

the rate of cardiac arrhythmia increased 

at the higher concentrations. The study 

also revealed that higher levels of nicotine 

salts increased sympathetic nervous 

system activity, also known as the “fightor-flight” 

response. In the autonomic 

nervous system, sympathetic dominance 

results in symptoms including rapid heart 

rate, increased blood pressure, dry mouth, 

anxiety and others. 

“This suggests the nicotine (in e-cigarettes) 

is harmful to the heart and counters 

popular claims that the nicotine itself is 

harmless,” said Alex Carll, an assistant 

professor in the university’s Department 

of Physiology. “Our findings provide new 

evidence that nicotine type and concentration 

modify the adverse cardiovascular 

effects of e-cigarette aerosols, which may 

have important regulatory implications.” 

The study was published in Nicotine and 

Tobacco Research. 

On the calendar 

BJC St. Louis Children’s Hospital sponsors 

a Babysitting 101 virtual class on 

Tuesday, Jan. 27 from 6-8:30 p.m., live 

via Teams Meeting. This interactive class 

is a great introduction to the basics of 

babysitting and is recommended for ages 

10 and above. A workbook, first-aid kit, 

babysitter skills assessment and backpack 

are included in the cost of $25 per 

child. Parents may sit in on the class at no 

additional cost. Register online at bjc.org/ 

babysitting-class. 

• • • 

BJC presents a Family and Friends 

CPR virtual course on Wednesday, Jan. 

28 from 6:30-8:30 p.m., live via Teams 

Meeting. This class uses the American 

Heart Association curriculum to teach 

hands-on CPR skills. This course does not 

include certification upon completion. The 

cost is $50. Registration for a seat in this 

class is for two people. Register online by 

visiting bjc.org/cpr-class. 

• • • 

BJC St. Louis Children’s Hospital presents 

a Staying Home Alone virtual class 

on Wednesday, Feb. 7 from 6:30-8 p.m., 

live via Teams Meeting. An in-person 

class is also offered on Saturday, Feb. 17 

10-11:30 a.m. at the SLCH Specialty Care 

Center West County, 13001 N. Outer Forty 

Road in Town and Country, in the thirdfloor 

conference room. Parents and children 

attend the class together to ensure a 

child’s readiness – physically, mentally, 

socially and emotionally – to stay at home 

alone. The registration fee is $25 per 

family. To register, call (314) 454-5437. 

• • • 

BJC offers a Bariatric Surgery Information 

Session on Monday, Feb. 19 

from 5:30-6:30 p.m., live via Zoom. Join 

a Washington University bariatric physician 

to learn more about surgical treatment 

options available at Barnes-Jewish 

Hospital and Barnes-Jewish West County 

Hospital for patients who meet certain 

criteria. During this free session, you will 

learn about options including laparoscopic 

gastric bypass, gastric sleeve, duodenal 

switch and revisions to bariatric surgery. 

To register, visit classes-events.bjc.org; to 

learn more about BJC’s bariatric surgery 

criteria for patients, call (314) 454-7224 

and press Option 1. 

• • • 

Mercy St. Louis offers a Sitter Skills 

course on Friday, March 1 from 6-9 p.m. 

at the hospital, 615 S. New Ballas Road, 

in Classroom #2 on the 7th floor. Children 

ages 11 to 13 will learn about infant care, 

child development, interactive play, safety, 

handling emergency situations and marketing 

babysitting services. Children should 

bring a doll or stuffed animal to class to 

learn how to change diapers. The cost is 

$30 per child. Register online by visiting 

mercy.net/practice/mercy-hospital-st-louis 

and clicking on Classes, Seminars and 

Events, then Skills Classes for Kids. 

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20 I EVENTS I 





October 26 to 

November 4th 

2024 

St. Charles County Parks hosts Fishing 101 from 5-6 p.m. on Feb. 7 and Feb. 

28 in the Broemmelsiek Park Visitor Center meeting room. This free program 

is for all ages. Registration is requested by calling the Parks Department at 

(636) 949-7535 or online at https://bit.ly/stccparks_education-enrichment. 

LOCAL 

EVENTS 

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 

Submissions are open until Feb. 6 for 

O’Fallon’s 2024-25 sculpture series, “The 

Shape of Community.” A citywide, temporary 

sculpture exhibition, the series 

features large-scale works of art loaned to 

the city by artists for 18 months. To submit 

artwork for consideration, visit ofallon. 

mo.us/shape-of-community. 

• • • 

First Fridays are from 5-8 p.m. monthly 

at the Foundry Art Centre, 520 N. Main 

Center in St. Charles. Features free activities 

in addition to paid workshops hosted 

by local business owners. For details, visit 

foundryartcentre.org/first-fridays. 

• • • 

The “Spanning the Generations” art 

show is on display through February at 

the Crossroads Arts Center, 310 W. Pearce 

Blvd. in Wentzville. Art from high school 

students to senior citizens is featured. 

Details at crossroadsartscouncil.org. 

• • • 

Wag: An Exhibition for Dogs is on 

display through March 23 at the Foundry 

Art Centre, 520 N. Main Center in Saint 

Charles. Wag is an interactive art exhibition 

featuring artists Greta Coalier, Justin 

King, Steve Jones and Laura Lloyd. Details 

at foundryartcentre.org. 

• • • 

The “Toys & Joys” art show is on display 

through Sunday, March 24 (with a 

reception from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 

1) at the Cultural Arts Centre, 1 St. Peters 

Centre Blvd. 

• • • 

The Fete de Glace Ice Carving Festival/Bowls 

and Brews event is from 9:30 

a.m.-3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27 on 

Main Street in Saint Charles. Details at 

discoverstcharles.com. 

• • • 

Once Upon a Valentine: Stories for the 

Loved & Loveless is from noon-3 p.m. on 

Saturday, Feb. 10 and Sunday, Feb. 11 at 

Historic Saint Charles. This mini-festival 

promises a unique blend of history, fun 

and spirited entertainment for locals and 

visitors alike. For details, visit discoverstcharles.com. 

• • • 

Lindenwood University Performing Arts 

presents “The Winter’s Tale” by William 

Shakespeare at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 

21 at the J. Scheidegger Center for the Arts/ 

Emerson Black Box Theater, 2300 W. Clay 

St. in Saint Charles. Tickets are $10 plus a 

convenience fee. Details at lindenwood.edu. 

BENEFITS 

Volunteers are needed for Meals on 

Wheels, a lifeline program for many 

seniors in the community. Apply at agingahead.org. 

• • • 

The St. Charles Kiwanis Club hosts 

its annual All You Can Eat Pancake 

and Sausage Day from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on 

Tuesday, Feb. 13 at in the Memorial Hall 

at Blanchette Park, 1900 W. Randolph St. 

and at Gingham’s Homestyle Restaurant, 

1566 Country Club Plaza Drive. This is the 

club’s main fundraiser. Tickets are $8 per 

person and are available on the “shopping” 

tab at stcharleskiwanis.com. 

Got events? Want publicity? 

Send all the pertinent details to 

events@newsmagazinenetwork.com. 

Event notices for print publication are due at least six weeks 

out from the date of the event. Events with advance registration 

should be submitted six weeks out from that deadline. 

All events will be listed online and in print when sent in with 

enough advance notice. 

• • • 

The Kiwanis of O’Fallon and Cottleville/Weldon 

host a Spring Trivia 

Night at 7 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.) on 

Friday, Feb. 16 at Harvester Lions Club, 

4835 Central School Road in St. Charles. 

Cost is $25 per person. Players should 

bring their own snacks and drinks. Ticket 

requests and checks should be mailed to 

O’Fallon Kiwanis, PO Box 1459. O’Fallon, 

MO 63366. Emails may be sent to karen. 

grant@cbrealty.com. 

• • • 

The 2024 Soldier’s Christmas Card 

Project takes place from 1-4 p.m. on Sundays, 

Feb. 25, March 24 and April 28 at the 

MU Extension in St. Charles, 260 Brown 

Road in St. Peters. Write Christmas cards 

to ship with care packages to soldiers overseas 

during Christmas 2024. For details, 

visit extension.missouri.edu/programs. 

FAMILY & KIDS 

Family Fridays are from 2-4 p.m. on the 

second Friday of every month at the Heritage 

Park Museum, 1630 Heritage Landing 

in St. Peters. Each session has games and 

crafts, storytime and hands-on displays. 

Free event. Details at stccparks.org. 

• • • 

Second Saturdays are from 1-3 p.m. 

monthly at The Foundry Art Centre, 520 

N. Main Center in Saint Charles. Features 

a tour of current exhibitions and hands-on 

art activities. Free event, all ages are welcome. 

Details at foundryartcentre.org. 

• • • 

Art Start is at 10 a.m. every Tuesday 

at The Foundry Art Centre, 520 N. Main 

Center in Saint Charles. Children create 

small art projects that pair with a story. 

Free event. For ages 2-5 with a caregiver. 

Details at foundryartcentre.org. 

• • • 

St. Charles County Libraries’ “Sweet 

Reads Winter Reading Challenge” continues 

through Monday, Feb. 26. Complete 

activities to earn badges. All ages 

are welcome to participate. For details, 

visit mylibrary.beanstack.org. 

• • • 

The Winter Wonderland Father- 

Daughter Dance is from 6:30-9 p.m. on





I EVENTS I 21 

Saturday, Jan. 27 at the St. Peters Cultural 

Arts Centre, 1 St. Peters Centre Blvd. For 

girls aged 3 to 15. Music, dancing and 

refreshments are featured. A professional 

photographer will be available to take 

pictures for an additional cost. Tickets 

are $14 per person. Advance registration 

is required at stpetersmo.net/rec-connect. 

Spots will fill fast. 

• • • 

A Valentine’s Hunt for Kisses is at 10 

a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 10 at Rau Garden 

in Blanchette Park, 1900 W. Randolph St. 

in St. Charles. Children complete a scavenger 

hunt to receive chocolate kisses and 

a goodie bag. Crafts and a visit with Cupid 

are included in the $15 per person cost. 

Register at stcharlesparks.com/programs. 

• • • 

A Mardi Gras Parade is at 11 a.m. with 

an after-party from noon-2 p.m. on Saturday, 

Feb. 10 in Historic Frenchtown in 

St. Charles. Enjoy a family-friendly Mardi 

Gras celebration followed by the afterparty 

featuring live music, food, vendors, 

kids activities and more in the Foundry Art 

Centre parking lot. Free event. For details, 

visit stcharlescitymo.gov. 

• • • 

The Ancient Order of Hibernians’ St. 

Patrick’s Day Parade is at 4 p.m. on 

Sunday, March 17 on Main Street in St. 

Charles. Free event. Details at stcharlescitymo.gov. 

SPEAKERS & CLUBS 

The O’Fallon Lions Club meets at 6 

p.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month 

at JJ’s Restaurant, 200 Fort Zumwalt 

Square in O’Fallon. Everyone is welcome. 

For details, call (636) 344-0065 or email 

weserve@ofallonlions.com. 

• • • 

Cottleville/Weldon Spring Rotary 

Club meets at noon every Wednesday 

at Bemo’s, 5373 Hwy. N. in Cottleville. 

RSVP to Toddrasche01@gmail.com. 

Details at cwsrotary.org. 

• • • 

The Cavesprings Toastmasters Club 

offers in-person and online meetings 

from 8 a.m.-9 a.m. Wednesdays at the St. 

Charles Ambulance District, 2000 Salt 

River Road in St. Peters. Improve public 

speaking and communication skills by 

gaining confidence when speaking in front 

of others. RSVP to cavespringstoastmasters@gmail.com. 

• • • 

St. Charles County Pachyderm Club 

meets at noon every Friday at B. Hall’s 

Family Grill, 3782 Monticello Plaza Drive 

in O’Fallon. Be informed and meet elected 

officials. No meetings on holiday weekends. 

For details, visit sccpachyderms.org. 

• • • 

The Rough Writers meet from 7-9 p.m. 

on the second Tuesday of the month at the 

Crossroads Arts Center, 310 W. Pearce 

Blvd. in Wentzville. Join this writing 

group to share writing, encourage others, 

and improve your skills. All kinds of writing. 

For details, contact Deborah Bowman 

at deborahbowman12@yahoo.com. 

SPECIAL INTEREST 

The St. Charles Parks and Recreation 

Photo Contest continues through January. 

The winner will receive a $300 Parks 

and Rec gift card. Photos submitted may 

be featured in future PLAY brochures 

or other promotional materials. Open to 

all ages and all skill levels. The submission 

deadline is Jan. 26. For details, visit 

stcharlesparks.com/parks-photo-contest. 

• • • 

The Great Train Show is from 10 a.m.-4 

p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27 and Sunday, Jan. 

28 to the St. Charles Convention Center, 

1 Convention Center Plaza. This is the 

nation’s largest traveling train show and 

features hundreds of tables of trains for 

sale, giant displays, kids activities and more. 

Admission is $12 on Saturday and $11 on 

Sunday; kids age 11 and younger are free. 

• • • 

A Dining with Diabetes cooking class 

is from 1-3 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 31 

at the MU Extension in St. Charles, 260 

Brown Road in St. Peters. Class includes 

cooking diabetes-friendly recipes, meal 

planning, group discussion and information 

about physical activity and label reading. 

Cost is $40. To register, visit extension. 

missouri.edu/events. 

• • • 

The Sydenstricker Nobbe Partners John 

Deere Outdoor Show takes place Friday, 

Feb. 2 through Sunday, Feb. 4 at the St. 

Charles Convention Center, 1 Convention 

Center Plaza. Admission times are noon-5 

p.m. on Friday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday 

and 10 a.m.-4 p.m on Sunday. Learn tips 

and tricks from experts for all John Deere 

equipment, including compact tractors, 

residential and commercial mowers, Gator 

UTVs and compact construction equipment. 

Admission is free. 

• • • 

A tour of the Kaplan Feldman Holocaust 

Museum is from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Monday, 

March 11. Along with a guided group tour, 

there will be a guest speaker and lunch at 

Mike Duffy’s. The cost is $85 per person and 

includes transportation, museum and lunch. 

Register online at stcharlesparks.com. 

• • • 

Engaged Neighbor is from 6-7 p.m. on 

Wednesday, March 13 at the MU Extension 

in St. Charles County, 260 Brown Road in 

St. Peters. Learn and discuss paths to better 

neighboring with Deana Dothage, engagement 

specialist with the University of 

Missouri Extension in St. Charles County. 

Details at extension.missouri.edu/events. 

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22 I 



BUSINESS 

BRIEFS 

PLACES 

Oh My Posh, 5247 Hwy. N, owned 

by Amber Anians and Aimee Anderson, 

held a ribbon-cutting with members of 

the Cottleville Weldon-Spring Chamber 

of Commerce and community leaders on 

Jan. 10. 

• • • 

In 2023 Ameristar Casino Resort 

Spa St. Charles presented checks for 

$20,000 each to two local charities, The 

Disabled Athlete Sports Association 

(DASA) and Youth in Need, for a total 

of $40,000. DASA gives those living 

with physical disabilities the opportunity 

to participate in adaptive sports and 

recreational programs. Youth in Need is 

a family services agency that works with 

vulnerable children, teens and families 

by providing emergency shelter and 

additional programs and services. 

• • • 

Ziggi’s Coffee opened its first St. 

Peters location on Jan. 16 at 661 Salt 

Lick Road. The cafe features a drivethru 

with a walk-up window and covered 

outdoor seating area. This location is 

owned by Chad and Abbey Brenneman 

and Kevin Dameron. A grand opening 

is scheduled for Jan. 27 at which guests 

will be treated to one free 16 oz drink of 

choice. For more information, visit ziggiscoffee.com. 

• • • 

Earlier this month commercial real 

estate veterans Keith and Joe Schneider 

launched Schneider Commercial Partners, 

a commercial real estate services 

firm serving the Greater St. Louis and St. 

Charles region. The firm leverages over 

four decades of real estate experience 

and focuses on a client-centric approach. 

Learn more at schneidercommercial. 

com. 

• • • 

Bemo’s Grill, 5373 Highway N in 

Cottleville, is celebrating its 10th year 

in business. Owned by Dave Bemis and 

his son, Colton, along with business 

partner Matt McDonough, the family 

friendly restaurant features steak, seafood, 

chicken and pasta. For more information 

visit bemosgrill.com. 

PEOPLE 

The Economic Development Council 

of St. Charles named Louis Shaikun 

as its new Small Business Counselor 

through a partnership with the Missouri 

Small Business Development Centers. 

Shaikun brings nearly two decades of 

local experience in business banking to 

the role. Shaikun’s territory includes St. 

Charles, Lincoln and Warren counties. 

• • • 

Gov. Mike Parson appointed the Honorable 

Brittney R. Smith as Circuit 

Judge for the 11th Judicial Circuit. Smith 

currently serves as an associate circuit 

judge in St. Charles County. She will fill 

the vacancy created by the appointment 

of the Honorable Rebeca Navarro-McKelvey 

to the Missouri Court of Appeals, 

Eastern District. 

WENTZVILLE, from page 11 

who sponsored the policy, said she’s “not 

waiting on the legislature.” 

“Before the board had any ‘suggested 

guidance … parents in the district and many 

other districts around the state and around 

the country assumed that we had separate 

facilities for males and females … but 

that’s not necessarily true, because there are 

accommodations being made that blur that 

line, which is why this increased level of 

privacy has been demanded from the public 

and that’s the purpose of the policy.” 

Board member Julie Scott questioned 

Olson as to whether opening the district up 

to possible lawsuits was a “prudent use of 

funds. 

“How do you explain to your constituents 

that this is okay?” Scott asked. 

Olson responded that some “100-plus” 

parents had emailed the board voicing their 

concerns. “There are 18,000-ish students 

in this district with likely… two parents 

each … maybe half of them would also 

not be OK with the status quo if we don’t 

take action to increase privacy, that they 

thought that they had for their children 

while not in their custody,” Olsen said. 

Scott said she can’t accept that “the trans 

student population, even though it is small, 

is not being acknowledged in the way that 

it should be.” 

If trans students “are forced to use bathrooms 

that do not fit their gender, they 

are the ones who are getting assaulted 

and raped in bathrooms,” Scott said. “It 

doesn’t matter if it’s one student or two 

students or 10 students.” 

In contrast, Aimee Benninghofen before 

the vote asked, “Is the administration or 



someone else going to monitor the bathrooms 

and locker rooms to make sure that 

only the ‘approved’ males are using the 

females’ bathrooms and vice versa?” she 

asked. “Why are we only considering the 

few over the many?” 

As the debate heated up, board member 

Jason Goodson said he wanted no part of 

the policy. “Objectivity in policy-making 

really matters. Perception or potential for 

perception of bias could exacerbate our 

problems and create more legal risk … to 

the extent that there’s a lawsuit,” he said. 

The new policy requires students to 

use the multi-user facility designated for 

that student’s sex, defined as reproductive 

biology at birth. When a student has 

an increased privacy need that does not 

comport with using a multi-user facility, 

the policy gives the student the option of 

using a single-user facility. 

As to student locker room access, the 

policy permits using a single-user facility 

for any student with enhanced privacy 

needs. It also allows the district, at the 

request of a parent, to provide additional 

accommodations on a case-by-case basis 

to any student. However, it prohibits the 

district from accommodating a student by 

allowing the student to use the facility corresponding 

to the student’s gender identity 

when it does not align with their biological 

sex. 

Voting yes to the policy were board vice 

president Katie Lyczak, secretary Renee 

Henke, Stolle, Lewis and Olson. Goodson 

and Scott voted no. 

The board delayed the implementation 

of the new proposal until April 3 to allow 

time for administrators to meet with transgender 

students about the new policy. 

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I 23 

NEWS BRIEFS, from page 7 

He jokingly pulled out a roll of tissues 

to dab at his eyes and teased about losing 

various raffles to her. 

When it was his turn to praise Smith, 

Mayor Len Pagano called her an “ideal 

person for St. Peters.” He then concluded 

that he needed to move on or he was going 

to cry. 

World War II veteran 

remembered 

World War II veteran Edwin L. Echelmeyer 

was honored at the St. Peters Board 

of Aldermen meeting on Jan. 11, after 

recently passing away at the age of 100. 

Alderman Dr. Gregg Sartorious (Ward 2) 

described Echelmeyer’s long life, which 

began in St. Charles County. He was stationed 

at the Panama Canal during WWII 

and then married the love of his life, 

Audrey. They went on to own the Arrowhead 

Motel in Columbia for 30 years. In 

later years, it was Audrey’s love of painting 

that led him to explore new things. 

In his autobiography, which is available 

at the St. Charles County Veterans Museum, 

Echelmeyer wrote that after Audrey died 

in 2008, “The grief was something I was 

struggling to handle.” 

“There were times when I would find 

myself downstairs in her art sanctuary to 

be closer to her,” he wrote. “Then, one 

day, I picked up her brushes and had the 

overwhelming spiritual inclination to paint. 

I grabbed a canvas, some paints and started 

to paint. Audrey inspires me, and at times, 

I feel like she takes hold of the brush and 

guides my hand to create something out of 

nothing. 

“Soon I was painting. My paintings are 

nothing compared to hers. But I have found 

peace and calmness in painting with her.” 

According to his obituary, Echelmeyer 

went on to paint over 1,500 works of art. 

ST. CHARLES COUNTY 

Fewer funds available for 

community assistance 

As part of the consent agenda at its Jan. 

8 meeting, the St. Charles County Council 

unanimously approved 2024 community 

assistance funding of $165,000. This is 

$55,000 or 25% lower than the $220,000 

allocated in 2023. 

Asked about the reduction, Community 

Services Grants Administrator Pinar Turker 

said, “Simply put, lower revenue collections 

will result in less money available for 

the Community Assistance Fund. The fees 

supporting this fund are tied directly to the 

number of real estate transactions recorded 

by the county. The 2024 allocation is an 

estimate based on 2023 fees collected. The 

reason for the 2024 reduced allocation is 

the decline in the number of real estate 

transactions recorded by the county in 

2023.” 

Turker further explained that during 

the pandemic years, mortgages were 

available at very low interest rates. This 

resulted in many real estate transactions 

for both new purchases and refinancing 

current loans. All transactions must be 

recorded by the Recorder of Deeds, causing 

high revenue collections. In 2021, the 

fund received almost $320,000 in fees. In 

turn, the amounts allocated to the recipients 

were high. 

But the economy began to change in 2022 

with inflation becoming a problem. Inflation 

led to higher interest rates for mortgages 

resulting in fewer borrowers for new 

mortgages and no refinancing of current 

loans. This caused a decline in real estate 

recordings and less revenue generated by 

the Recorder’s Office. 

2024 funding will go to: 

• Preferred Family Healthcare - $10,000 

• Connections To Success - $10,000 

• Crisis Nursery - $10,500 

• Habitat For Humanity - $13,000 

• Love in the Name of Christ - $13,000 

• Northeast Community Action Corporation 

- $11,000 

• Our Lady’s Inn - $10,000 

• Saints Joachim & Ann Care Service - 

$30,000 

• The Salvation Army - $13,750 

• Tri-County Probation & Parole - $10,000 

• Turning Point Domestic Violence - 

$10,000 

• Volunteers In Medicine - $10,000 

• Youth In Need - $13,750 

Voter-approved funds 

aiding ambulance district 

With annual call volume eclipsing 50,000 

and trending upward, the St. Charles County 

Ambulance District (SCCAD) invested 

nearly $4 million in ventilators, stretchers 

and power load systems to replace devices 

that were at the end of their lifespan. 

The new 51 Stryker Power Pro 2 Stretchers 

are engineered to decrease body fatigue 

with enhanced ergonomics for paramedics 

assisting patients on and off the stretcher. 

Retractable sections of the new model 

enable first responders to navigate tighter 

quarters than was possible with previous 

stretchers. 

For patients suffering from breathing 

complications, 40 new Hamilton T1 ventilators 

will enable paramedics to set flow rates, 

oxygen concentration and volume with a 

high degree of specificity. 

The purchases were financed utilizing 

funds generated by Proposition Ambulance, 

the $70 million general obligation bond issue 

approved by voters in 2018. 

In addition to the recent purchases, the district 

will soon complete an ambulance purchase 

and chassis remount projects utilizing 

$2 million in bond funds. Other recent bondfinanced 

capital projects include SCCAD’s 

$32 million consolidated headquarters 

facility, which opened in 2021, and four 

ambulance stations constructed in St. Peters, 

Wentzville and unincorporated St. Charles 

County. 

MID RIVERS CLASSIFIEDS • 636.591.0010 • CLASSIFIEDS@NEWSMAGAZINENETWORK.COM 

COLLECTIBLES 

WANTED TO BUY 

• SPORTS MEMORABILIA • 

Baseball Cards, Sports Cards, 

Cardinals Souvenirs and 

Memorabilia. Pre-1975 Only. 

Private Collector: 

314-302-1785 

WANTED TO BUY 

VINYL RECORD ALBUMS 

Buying quality collections of 

Rock, Jazz, Blues and More! 

No collection to large or small 

Private Collector: JP 

Call or Text 636-342-1616 or 

Email: Jp.vinyl57@gmail.com 

EDUCATION 

Traveling Fossil & Rock 

Presentations with a Biblical 

Perspective. Suitable for all grade 

levels. FREE Fossils for everyone. 

Can the Bible timeline 

be tested and trusted? Yes! 

The Rock’s Cry Out Ministry 

Contact Bill Barnes 314-608-2928 

ELECTRICAL 

ERIC'S ELECTRIC 

Licensed, Bonded and Insured: 

Service upgrades, fans, can lights, 

switches, outlets, basements, 

code violations fixed, we do it 

all. Emergency calls & back-up 

generators. No job too small. 

Competitively priced. 

Free Estimates. 

Just call 636-262-5840 

GARAGE DOORS 

DSI/Door Solutions, Inc. 

Garage Doors, Electric Openers. 

Fast Repairs. All makes & models. 

Same day service. Free Estimates. 

Custom Wood and Steel Doors. 

BBB Member • Angie's List 

Call 314-550-4071 

www.dsi-stl.com 

FOR SALE 

Husky 5000-Watt Gasoline 

Powered Generator with Briggs 

& Stratton Engine 

features 6250-watt peak 

Call 314 -703-7456 

Ballwin Area 

HAULING 

J & J HAULING 

WE HAUL IT ALL 

Service 7 days. Debris, furniture, 

appliances, household trash, yard 

debris, railroad ties, fencing, decks. 

Garage & Basement Clean-up 

Neat, courteous, affordable rates. 

Call: 636-379-8062 or 

email: jandjhaul@aol.com 

HELP WANTED 

KCS LLC 

is Seeking Part-Time Help 

for Residential Cleaning. 

Hours 8am - 2pm 

Monday - Friday 

Starting at $14 per hour. 

Call 636-219-4178 

HOME HEALTHCARE 

TROSSIE CARES 

Private Home Health 

24 hr. Affordable 

Home Healthcare Service. 

Referencces Available. 

Call 314-620-3550 

or email 

trossiecares@gmail.com 

HOME IMPROVEMENT 

Mizzou Crew LLC (Since 2004) 

We can’t do everything, 

but we CAN do a lot! 

Landscaping, Demolition, 

Flooring, Light Construction, 

Furniture Assembly, Fencing, 

Deck Repair, Rough Carpentry. 

Call/text Jeff 314-520-5222 or 

email mizzoucrewstl@gmail.com 

AFFORDABLE CARPENTRY 

Kitchen Remodeling, Wainscoting, 

Cabinets, Crown Molding, Trim, 

Framing, Basement Finishing, 

Custom Decks, Doors, Windows. 

Free estimates! 

Anything inside & out! 

Call Joe 636-699-8316 

REMODEL & REPAIR 

Rotted wood, Painting, Tile, 

Drywall, Floors, Electrical, 

Carpentry, Plumbing, 

Power Washing. Insured. 

FREE ESTIMATES 

Tom Streckfuss 314-910-7458 

sbacontractingllc@gmail.com 

HOME IMPROVEMENT 

HAPPY HANDYMAN SERVICE 

"Don't Worry Get Happy" 

Complete home remodel/ 

repair kitchen & bath, plumbing, 

electrical, carpentry. 24HR 

Emergency Service. Commercial 

and Residential. Discount for 

Seniors/Veterans. 

636-541-9432 

LANDSCAPING 

Best Landscaping Values in Town! 

-Mizzou Crew- 

Mulch, Shrub Trimming, 

Yard Cleanups, Power Washing, 

Moles, Small Walls & Paver Patios. 

Hauling Services, 

Demolition, 

Handyman Services 

& Rough Carpentry 

Call/Text Jeff 

314-520-5222 

or www.MizzouCrew.com 

PAINTING 

DEFINO’S 

PAINTING SERVICES 

EST. 2006 

Interior & Exterior Painting 

Deck Staining 

- Insured & Free Estimates - 

definospainting.com 

314-707-3094 

PAINTING 

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS! 

PAINTER 

DAN VOLLMER 

• I AM INCORPORATED INC. • 

INTERIOR SPECIAL 2024 

$75 Per Avg. Rm Size 

(12’x12’ Walls 3 Room Minimum) 

FREE ESTIMATES: CALL DAN 

(636) 577-8960 

Exterior Painting! 

WEDDING SERVICES 

PLUMBING 

ANYTHING IN PLUMBING 

Good Prices! Basement 

bathrooms, small repairs & 

code violations repaired. Fast 

Service. Certified, licensed 

plumber - MBC Plumbing 

- Call or text anytime: 

314-409-5051 

TREE SERVICES 

Complete Tree Service for 

Residential & Commercial 

Tree Pruning & Removal 

Plant Health Care Program 

Deadwooding • Stump Grinding 

Deep Root Fertilization 

Cabling & Storm Clean Up 

ISA Certified Arborists 

Doug Beckmann MW-5255A 

Teresa Hessel MW-5754A • Brad Meyer MW-5286A 

Free Estimates • Fully Insured 

314-426-2911 

meyertreecare.com 

ANYTIME ANYWHERE CEREMONIES 

Marriage Ceremonies • Vow Renewals • Baptisms • Pastoral/Graveside Visits 

Full Service Ministry • (314) 703-7456

Mid Rivers Newsmagazine 1-24-24

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