'Right to Pray' Amendment Scheduled for August, Other MO Legislative News

The Missouri General Assembly can place certain initiatives on the ballot, which can be a way to prevent a particularly controversial measure from getting vetoed by a governor.

KMOV Interviews Mayor Kelly on City-Paid Health Insurance for Elected Officials

The day Patch reported on the health insurance perk for Brentwood's mayor and some aldermen, KMOV news did the same report, and interviewed Mayor Pat Kelly on camera.

Missouri Voters Will Decide a Bevy of Ballot Issues This Year

Several of the items, including the cigarette tax increase and the payday loan measure, are tied up in litigation.

Traffic Ahead: Blasting to Begin on 270 Between Big Bend and Manchester

Rock will be blasted and cleared away to widen I-270.

Health Insurance for Brentwood's Elected Officials Prompts Questions

The city pays 100 percent of the vision and dental insurance for some of its elected officials. The newly elected aldermen are excluded.

Fly the American Flag on Flag Day, June 14

These are colors that will never run any day of the year.

Maplewood Releases QuikTrip Status Statement

Maplewood City Manager Martin Corcoran says QuikTrip's signed lease is contingent upon approval of the necessary permits from the city. The statement below is the complete statement from the city, released Friday afternoon.

Maplewood Council Seeks Opinions on Food Trucks

There will be a public hearing on June 12. For those who can't make it then, the city has provided alternative methods to express yourself.

Maplewood City Manager Gets Go Ahead for Block Grant Fund Application

If approved, the funds will go towards community development in Maplewood.

'Problem Properties' in Maplewood Soon to be Addressed

City council discussed the residential properties and what to do with them as soon as possible.

Brentwood Fire Department To Get New Turnout Gear After 20 Years

The Board of Alderman approved the purchase at a recent meeting.

Veterans' Gazebo Takes Shape in Richmond Heights

The chairman of the Veterans' Memorial Gazebo Committee said it's designed to honor all those who serve.

Brentwood Skating Rink Put On Ice–Again

Board of Aldermen agrees to jump-start next meeting with discussion about what to do with the city’s aging rec complex, starting with its ice rink. Meeting date and time changed to June 11 at 6 p.m. at Brentwood City Hall.

Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity Ordinance Tabled in Maplewood

Councilman Tim Dunn brought it to the city council, and it was on the May 22 agenda, but was tabled. Some Maplewood residents weren't happy about that.

Former Brentwood Alderwoman Lorraine Krewson Has Died

Lorraine Krewson worked as a Brentwood city official for 30 years before becoming an alderwoman in 2004. She died on Thursday at the age of 81.

Traffic Ahead: MoDOT Reports Ongoing Closures Only, This Week

Missouri Department of Transportation reports no work zones for St. Louis County or Jefferson County for the week of May 17 to May 23.

Anonymous Brentwood Ward 1 Mailings Perplexed One Group of Four

While Brentwood's Ward 1 voters received an anonymous robocall and three anonymous mailings, candidate Maureen Saunders and three supporters received even more to puzzle over.

Traffic Ahead: More Painting, Patching and Striping

Nothing major in MoDOT's St. Louis regional work zone report for May 10 to May 16.

Repaving for Five Maplewood Streets

Maplewood city council passed a resolution at Tuesday's meeting to spend more than $1 million on the improvements.

Brentwood Board of Aldermen Now on YouTube

No excuse for incorrect meeting minutes anymore - just check YouTube!

CVS to Open in October, Nothing Else Certain for Manchester-Big Bend Intersection

QuikTrip would like to move to the corner opposite the new CVS, if they can work through the details. What about the McDonald's that was rumored a while ago?

Maplewood Renews Agreement with City Wards for Pool Access

Maplewood has renewed its joint municipal agreement with two nearby St. Louis city wards.

Sewer Vote Would Slow Guaranteed MSD Rate Increase

A June 5 vote is planned in St. Louis County and city on Proposition Y, along with eight charter amendments aimed at increasing the efficiency and transparency of the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District.

Traffic Ahead: I-270 Lanes To Narrow

MoDOT crews will be narrowing lanes on I-270 between Manchester Road and I-44. They'll also be doing maintenance work throughout the area in the next week.

QuikTrip Move Opponents to Hand In Petitions at Planning and Zoning on Monday

Petitions for and against a QuikTrip move to the corner of Manchester and Big Bend are gaining signatures.

Brentwood Students Host 50 New U.S. Citizens

Brentwood High School held a naturalization ceremony as the culmination of a week where students were encouraged to get out of their comfort zones.

Brentwood Board of Aldermen Newcomer Cindy Manestar: Ready For Work

Manestar has lived in Brentwood her whole life. She's been a PTO president, and now is ready to take her community service up a notch.

Wellington Court Bridge Closed Until Spring 2013

Many in Maplewood use the bridge to go south. It's in St. Louis city, just south of the Greenwood neighborhood.

Five Top April Stories: Sports Attic Fire and Brentwood Politics

Sorry Maplewood, you're left out of this one. Brentwood Ward 1 politics had the lead until the Sports Attic burned in the middle of the month, and grabbed the top three spots.

Is Meth Moving Into Your Neighborhood? Part 2 of a Series

A drug agent had a meth lab blow up in his face and said it can happen to a curious child just as easily. He tells 'Patch' that criminals are coming to St. Louis County to buy pseudoephedrine and that means meth is being made here, too.

Carnahan Gets Firepower in Showdown with Clay

Represenative Russ Carnahan gets a notable endorsement in his bid against Representative Lacy Clay.

Traffic Ahead: Westbound Lanes Closed Downtown on Weekend, Open For Cardinals Game

Roadwork will close westbound traffic downtown most of the weekend. One lane will be opened around mid-day on Saturday and Sunday.

Postal Service Bill Passes Senate With Missouri Amendments

U.S. Senators Claire McCaskill and Roy Blunt each won passage of amendments to slow the down the process of closing post office branches.

Menards Cost-Benefit Analysis Planned in Richmond Heights

Development Strategies will also review the expected costs and benefits of a Hadley Township redevelopment proposal from Pace Properties.

Chris Seemayer Banned From Missouri Casinos

The Missouri Gaming Commission added Seemayer to its involuntary exclusion list on Wednesday.

Is Meth Moving Into Your Neighborhood? Part 1 of a Series

If you ask the president of the Missouri Narcotics Association, who's been tracking meth for more than 15 years, the answer is "Yes."

Engineering Firm Selected to Review Manchester Road Construction

Local company Horner Shifrin will be responsible for designing and managing phase 3 of the construction process.

Waste Reduction Grant Could Mean Better Recycling for Marietta Parking Lot

Maplewood's Public Works Department will submit two applications for a Recycling and Waste Reduction Grant.

Brentwood Trash Cans Beautified in Community Effort

The annual event brings families and scouts for some artistic fun.

Add Brentwood, Maplewood Vietnam Veterans' Faces to the Names on the The Wall

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund is seeking to add a photo for every name on The Wall in Washington, D.C. There are three Maplewood and two Brentwood veterans who need photos.