Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Are St. Louis neighborhoods truly ready for the next big tornado?

Happening soon: Chrisette Michele on the St. Louis Patch calendar

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In today's newsletter:

  • Are St. Louis neighborhoods truly ready for the next big tornado?
  • Why your St. Louis gas bill may have suddenly spiked
  • How tornado-damaged St. Louis schools finally welcomed students back

Also on today's calendar: Molly Healey Album Release Concert and 8 more events.

Find out what's happening in O'Fallonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did the hair spray say to the hair when it got back from vacation? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Intervals of clouds and sun, with a high of 58 and low of 33 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Mostly sunny, temps: high: 59, low: 45.
  • Thursday: Mostly cloudy, showers around, with a high of 62 and low of 54 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. WashU study found gaps in St. Louis' emergency preparedness ahead of tornado, calls for change (stlpr.org) — A new Washington University study warns that St. Louis’ emergency plans and coordination fell short before and after last May’s EF3 tornado, and urges city officials to better link with grassroots groups. Researchers say fragmented planning, poor inclusion of vulnerable residents, and underused neighborhood organizations could hamper responses to future storms as climate risks grow. The report lays out a four-pillar roadmap for stronger local preparedness.
   

2. St. Louisans say natural gas bills are skyrocketing. Here's why. (firstalert4.com) — Many St. Louis-area households are seeing sharply higher winter natural gas bills, driven mostly by increased heating use plus recent Spire Missouri rate and gas-cost adjustments. Company officials say infrastructure upgrades and market prices are factors, and they’re urging struggling customers to reach out about assistance programs, including a new option that can waive the fixed monthly customer charge for those who qualify.
   

3. 3 SLPS schools re-open months after May 16 tornado (firstalert4.com) — Three St. Louis Public Schools damaged by the May 16 EF-3 tornado—Beaumont High, Washington Montessori, and Yeatman Middle—have finally reopened to students, bringing many kids back to their home campuses. Staff worked to make the return feel joyful and welcoming, even as repairs continue at four other damaged district schools where students remain displaced.
   

4. ‘They took a piece of me I can never get back;' family remembers driver killed in wrong-way crash (firstalert4.com) — A 22-year-old St. Louis-area mother, Arianna Elliott, died after a wrong-way crash on Route 367 near Moline Acres, prompting grief and calls for safer driving. Her family is mourning while community leaders, including the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, plan new traffic safety initiatives to address what they call rising “vehicular violence” on local roads.
   

5. Missouri Court of Appeals Eastern District marks 150 years (molawyersmedia.com) — St. Louis residents are connected to a major legal milestone as the Missouri Court of Appeals Eastern District, originally the St. Louis Court of Appeals, marks 150 years since opening at the Old Courthouse downtown. Now the state’s largest appellate court, it serves 25 counties plus the city of St. Louis. Anniversary plans include an art contest, special hearings, and a spring ceremony.
   

📸 Around St. Louis

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🗓 Upcoming Events in St. Louis

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★ Featured events ★

    Saturday January 17
  • Chrisette Michele
    City Foundry STL, 3730 Foundry Way, St. Louis
    6:00 pm

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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: I mist you!
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