Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How St. Louis County plans to get tougher on hospital assaults

Happening soon: Zachary Leeker on the St. Louis Patch calendar

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Saturday January 3rd Patch AM
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Good morning St. Louis! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How St. Louis County plans to get tougher on hospital assaults
  • Where St. Louis’ record $80 million neighborhood investment will be spent
  • Who really gets to choose St. Louis’ next interim sheriff?

Also on today's calendar: Zachary Leeker and 5 more events.

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

Today's riddle: I got fired from the M&M factory. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high of 41 and low of 25 degrees.
  • Sunday: Increasing cloudiness, temps: high: 40, low: 31.
  • Monday: Plenty of sunshine, with a high of 60 and low of 41 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. St. Louis County prosecutors push to charge more cases in which health care workers are victims (stlpr.org) — St. Louis County prosecutors are ramping up efforts to treat violence against health care workers as serious crimes instead of routine job hazards. A dedicated hospital violence unit is reviewing dozens of cases and pushing for state law changes so assaults on any health worker, not just in hospitals, can be charged as felonies when appropriate. Officials also stress diversion options for patients with serious mental or neurological issues.
   

2. Record $80M SLDC award to fund projects in low-income neighborhoods (stlamerican.com) — St. Louis residents could see new investment in housing, health, and community services after the St. Louis Development Corp. secured a record $80 million in federal New Markets Tax Credits. The money will help finance projects in low-income neighborhoods, including affordable homes, a new Doorways residential facility, and expansions for groups like the Urban League and Ronald McDonald House.
   

3. St. Louis Mayor, Board of Aldermen in legal battle over interim sheriff (spectrumlocalnews.com) — St. Louis leaders are locked in a legal fight over who has the power to appoint an interim sheriff after Alfred Montgomery’s removal, with Mayor Cara Spencer and the Board of Aldermen at odds. A judge has delayed clarifying that authority while appeals play out, so interim Sheriff John Hayden will stay in place until the courts or a special election settle the question.
   

4. Meteor creates fireball, sonic boom over St. Louis area (firstalert4.com) — A powerful meteor lit up the sky and triggered a sonic boom felt across south St. Louis County and nearby communities, startling many residents Thursday evening. People from Fenton to Jefferson County reported shaking homes, bright flashes, and loud bangs, while experts say it was likely part of the Quadrantid meteor shower. Doorbell cameras across the region captured dramatic views of the fireball.
   

5. Two lanes on eastbound I-44 set to be closed for most of the day next week (firstalert4.com) — Expect major slowdowns on eastbound I-44 into St. Louis City next week, as two lanes between Kingshighway and 39th Street close daily from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday, January 5 through Thursday, January 8. Local commuters and nearby businesses like O’Connell’s Pub are bracing for delays, so consider alternate routes or extra travel time.
   

📸 Around St. Louis

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🗓 Upcoming Events in St. Louis

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Monday January 5
  • Green Space Advisory Commission - Meeting
    City of Webster Groves Calendar , Benny Gordon Recreation Complex - Cafe 33 E Glendale , Webster Groves
    5:00 pm
  • Public Hearing
    Jennings, MO Calendar
    5:30 pm
  • Board of Aldermen Meeting
    Brentwood Calendar , 2348 S. Brentwood Blvd City Hall Council Chambers , Brentwood
    6:00 pm
  • FMPLD: Board Game Night
    Ferguson Municipal Public Library , 35 N Florissant Rd , Ferguson
    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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    Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

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🪧 Patch Classifieds

  • Nominate an Outstanding Volunteer to be a 2026 Woman of Achievement
    It’s the final days of Women of Achievement’s call for nominations for the 2026 Women of Achievement. Please nominate an outstanding volunteer... (More info)

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 kept throwing out all the W’s.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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