West Newsmagazine - West St. Louis County's exclusive direct-mailed community newspaper.

West Newsmagazine is West St. Louis County's exclusive direct-mailed community newspaper.

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High school football preview 2008

A preview of the 2008 season for the area high school football teams. More

Former Kirkwood Mayor Passes Away

Former Kirkwood Mayor Mike Swoboda passed away Saturday, Sept. 6, at the age of 69. Swoboda died from complications connected with the shooting that occurred at the Kirkwood City Hall on Feb. 7. He is survived by his wife, Sue, son Michael, and daughter Katie.

Tweens and R-rated movies: Growing in popularity

By the time a typical child hits the age of 10, they want more freedom. It is during this time, known now as the “tween” years, that kids will spend more time with friends and may ask parents to see movies that are not rated G.

Parents should have the ultimate say over what their child does and does not watch but that is not always the case.

According to the journal “Pediatrics,” an estimated 2.5 million kids ages 10 to 14 watch R-rated movies, often with parental permission. More

Rockwood to address suicidal signs in students

Rockwood School District officials are considering an innovative new district policy and regulation to ensure that appropriate suicide awareness and prevention programs are implemented to assist students in dealing with threats of suicide.

Statistics from the National Institute of Mental Health for the past decade show that suicide is the third leading cause of death among young adults and adolescents 15 to 24 years old, following accidental injuries and homicide. More

Preparing for the winter freeze

While the current weather conditions may not bring up visions of snow, sleet and freezing rain, Chesterfield Public Works Director Brian McGownd already is forming a battle plan for taking on Old Man Winter in the coming months.

McGownd not only is purchasing road salt for Chesterfield’s 160 miles of roads, but also for 40 other municipalities in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Ballwin, Ellisville, Manchester, Wildwood, Town and Country, Des Peres and Creve Coeur also participate in the St. Louis Metro Salt Cooperative Program with Chesterfield in order to maximize the cooperative’s buying power in the open market. More

Thomas Sowell - Changes in Politics

One of the few political cliches that makes sense is that "In politics, overnight is a lifetime."

Less than a year ago, the big question was whether Rudolph Giuliani could beat Hillary Clinton in this year's presidential election. Less than two months ago, Barack Obama had a huge lead over John McCain in the polls. Less than a week ago, the smart money was saying that Mitt Romney would be McCain's choice for vice president.

Creve Coeur officials decline to raise property tax rates

After debating whether to increase the property tax rates for 2008, the Creve Coeur City Council on Aug. 25 voted to keep the rates the same as the previous year.

Officials had proposed raising the tax rates for 2008 to .079 cents on each $100 per assessed valuation for residential property; .080 cents on each $100 per assessed valuation for commercial property; and .094 cents for agricultural properties. However, the City Council opted to keep the rates at .075 cents on residential property; .070 on commercial; and .094 on agricultural properties. More

Manchester officials defeat helmet law for second time

The Manchester Board of Aldermen has voted against legislation that would have made it mandatory for children under the age of 17 to wear safety helmets while riding their bikes and similar devices. The proposal failed for the second time in six weeks.

Prior to the defeating vote, the board heard a presentation from a representative of the St. Louis County Department of Health that detailed the need for such legislation and the studies that have been conducted over the years to support that assertion. More

Wildwood sued over Strecker Forest subdivision delays

The city of Wildwood has been served with a lawsuit by the developer of the Strecker Forest subdivision to have the restrictions that have been placed on the development lifted. The lawsuit also seeks to recover the legal fees associated with those efforts.

Claymont Development LLC is suing the city of Wildwood because of a moratorium placed on the development after several residents and City Council members expressed major concerns regarding contamination of the site. More

Homeland Security Advisory

Circle Of Concern breaks ground

Circle Of Concern held an official groundbreaking ceremony on Aug. 24 for its new building. The new building will be just north of Circle's existing center in Valley Park.

Local dignitaries, the president of Circle, Jerry Caesar, and others spoke before the groundbreaking ceremony. Tours of the current center and recently-renovated warehouse followed the ceremony. More

Rockwood property tax rate is lowest in 14 years

Rockwood School District officials have approved the 2008 tax rate, which is the lowest rate the district has levied in 14 years.

On Aug. 21, the school board approved the 2008 tax levy at $3.9232, including $3.2432 for the operating levy and 68 cents for debt service. That represents a total 7.55-cent decrease from last year’s tax rate of $3.9987, which was comprised of a $3.2487 operating levy and 75 cents for debt service. More

Manchester, Pace officials remain at impasse

The relationship between Pace Properties and the city of Manchester continues to deteriorate - and litigation may force a solution.

A growing dispute has erupted between a divided Manchester Board of Aldermen and the developer over the establishment of interest rates associated with a Transportation Development District (TDD) that was formed to help fund the Manchester Highlands shopping center located at Hwy. 141 and Manchester Road. More

Forum to discuss MSD's new tax, rate increase is 9/4

Missouri Rep. Tim Jones (R-Dist. 89) and Missouri Rep. Dwight Scharnhorst (R-Dist. 93) host an open forum to discuss the new "impervious surface runoff charge," newly assessed by the Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) this year.

The forum is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thurs., Sept. 4 in meeting room 113 at the Drury Inn (Hwy. 141 and Interstate 44 in Fenton). More

Ellisville says OK to CVS Pharmacy

Walgreens will officially get some competition in the area as the Ellisville City Council on Aug. 20 approved an ordinance allowing the operation of a CVS Pharmacy at the site of the recently torn-down Agostino's restaurant.

The site is located at 15846 Manchester Road in the Bradford Hills Shopping Center (at the intersection of Clarkson and Manchester Roads). More

For St. Charles, Missouri area news, visit Mid Rivers Newsmagazine

For Central St. Louis County area news, visit Central Newsmagazine