Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Why some SLPS students still don’t have a bus route for school

And check out Billow Wood on the St. Louis Patch calendar

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Thursday August 20th Patch AM
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What's up St. Louis! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why some SLPS students still don't have a bus route for school
  • How firefighters quickly stopped a blaze atop the vacant Millennium Hotel
  • Why one man says St. Louis development must start with vacant lots

Also on today's calendar: Billow Wood and 5 more events.

Today's riddle: Why do fish live in salt water? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Humid with clouds and sun, with a high of 84 and low of 66 degrees.
  • Friday: Humid with clouds and sun, temps: high: 88, low: 68. 🌶 Hot!
  • Saturday: Humid with a stray t-storm, with a high of 87 and low of 65 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. SLPS families share frustration after being left without transportation ahead of new school year (kmov.com) — Families in St. Louis Public Schools are discovering their children have no bus route listed just days before classes resume, after a new opt-in transportation form apparently failed for about 130 students. District officials say they're reviewing records and expect most affected students who applied on time to get route details by early next week, and are urging parents still without information to contact the SLPS transportation team.
   

2. Fire breaks out near top of vacant Millennium Hotel in downtown St. Louis (ksdk.com) — A fire near the top of the vacant Millennium Hotel in downtown St. Louis was knocked down by city firefighters in about 45 minutes Wednesday night, after flames and smoke were spotted around 8 p.m. at 200 South 4th Street. Crews used a 125-foot ladder truck to reach the upper floors of the long-closed riverfront tower, now being demolished for a Gateway Arch Park Foundation redevelopment.
   

3. Vacant lot cleanup called key to new development in north St. Louis (firstalert4.com) — Vacant, overgrown lots in north St. Louis are being aggressively cleared to curb illegal dumping and make way for new housing, including 40 planned Habitat for Humanity homes on Evans. Cleanup leader Jim Roos argues the city must better fund lot clearing during demolitions, saying new development will struggle unless surrounding properties are cleared and maintained first.
   

4. St. Louis 911 response times scrutinized in new report using data from 2017-2019 (ksdk.com) — St. Louis residents are getting a closer look at how 911 performed between 2017 and 2019, with a new analysis showing average response times of 15 minutes and quicker responses for top-priority calls. City police and Mayor Cara Spencer say the system has since added behavioral health teams and smarter call routing, and they're reviewing the report's findings now.
   

5. St. Louis property owner baffled after crew was set to demolish her tornado-battered home without her permission (ksdk.com) — A north St. Louis property owner says she caught a demolition crew preparing to tear down her tornado-damaged four-family flat, even though she never authorized the work. The wrecking company and city Building Division now admit clerical errors led to the wrong address being used, and both say they're working with her and insurers to repair yard damage and prevent similar mistakes.
   

📸 Around St. Louis

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🗓 Upcoming Events in St. Louis

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

📣 St. Louis Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Thursday August 20
  • UMSL Student Legacy Pinning Ceremony (Orientation Event)
    University of Missouri-St. Louis Millennium Student Center and Student Services (MSC), 3rd Floor R
    5:00 pm
  • Orientation Kickoff
    University of Missouri-St. Louis Oak Residence Hall (OAK), Lawn
    6:00 pm
  • Board of Education Meeting
    Maplewood-Richmond Heights MRH Central Office-CO Board Room
    7:00 pm
    • Friday August 21
  • Blue and White Games
    Maplewood-Richmond Hgts. High Maplewood Richmond Heights High School, 7500 Lohmeyer Ave, Maple
    6:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Child Care Aware of Missouri Hires Senior Accountant —Brandvein Aaranson Public Relations Read on Patch

Ok St. Louis! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Pepper makes them sneeze (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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