Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Could you now qualify for St. Louis water bill relief?

Also, don't miss Javier Mendoza (Hobo Cane) on the St. Louis Patch calendar

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Hey hey St. Louis! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Could you now qualify for St. Louis water bill relief?
  • How St. Louis is mixing big parties with tougher NYE safety rules
  • How many St. Louisans are trapped in dangerous pharmacy deserts?

Also on today's calendar: Javier Mendoza (Hobo Cane) and 5 more events.

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

And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Edward D.!

Today's riddle: I think I’ll wear only one boot today. 🤔 (Answer below!)

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

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high of 42 and low of 26 degrees.
  • Thursday: Partly sunny, temps: high: 37, low: 30.
  • Friday: Times of clouds and sun, with a high of 39 and low of 27 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. St. Louis widens water bill relief program for struggling residents (stlamerican.com) — If you’re behind on your St. Louis water bill, the city just expanded its Water Utility Assistance Program, raising income limits and stretching repayment plans to 12 or 24 months. Eligible residents can get up to a $500 credit, avoid shutoffs while on a plan, and apply online or in person as limited funds are distributed first-come, first-served.
   

2. STL New Year's Eve: Parties, prayers, and public safety (ksdk.com) — If you’re celebrating New Year’s Eve in St. Louis, you’ll find everything from Winterfest fireworks at Kiener Plaza to a Havana-themed party at Live! by Loews and late-night church Watch Night services. Police are stressing “Fun Without Guns” under Blair’s Law, while sponsors are offering free Lyft rides to keep revelers safe getting home.
   

3. To address St. Louis pharmacy deserts, pharmacy, city and WashU conduct research to understand the scope (firstalert4.com) — New research shows about 52,000 St. Louis residents live in “pharmacy deserts,” with many in north and southeast parts of the city lacking nearby, accessible pharmacies. A local Black-owned pharmacy, the city health department, and Washington University mapped the problem and are using the data to push for funding, mobile services, and policy solutions that could improve medication access for vulnerable neighborhoods.
   

4. Prayer, family, community: Student National Imam Sultan Rahman Muhammad delivers special messages in St. Louis (finalcall.com) — St. Louis Muslims recently welcomed Student National Imam Sultan Rahman Muhammad for a three-day visit that packed Mosque No. 28 and focused on unity, self-improvement, and ownership. Local youth and families described the weekend as inspiring, especially the unveiling of the Table Talks Project, which shares intimate recordings of Elijah Muhammad. Attendees left with new study materials and a renewed emphasis on character and community.
   

5. Third fire in south St. Louis neighborhood under investigation as residents suspect squatters (firstalert4.com) — A south St. Louis block is on edge after a third house fire in weeks damaged a family’s home on Fassen Street, with neighbors suspecting squatters in nearby vacant properties. The St. Louis Fire Department is investigating all three fires, while residents press authorities and the out-of-town owner for stronger action before someone is seriously hurt.
   

📸 Around St. Louis

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📸 Old Post Office, 7th&8th St. and Olive, is topped with one of the many Eagles Downtown. —Edward D. Like

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🪧 Patch Classifieds

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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 heard there’s only a 50 percent chance of snow.
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